Defining and Enhancing Place-Identity in Historic Cities: Embracing heritage, conflict, and globalisation in Erbil, Iraq
type: CreativeWork
description: Throughout history, war has caused fundamental political, economic, and social transformations around the world, spatially impacting urban form. This is further compounded during post-war reconstruction by global influences that have played a strong role in re-shaping urban form and distinctive place-identity of unique historical landscapes. One recent example is the case of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region of Iraq. After decades of war and ethnic repression, the area is now experiencing a period of political and economic stability, intensified post-war reconstruction and rapid urbanisation. While the city has global aspirations to become a modern capital of an emerging nation it also desires to proudly represent its historic roots and identity through strong ties to its Citadel, a UNESCO listed heritage site. The inter-linkages between war, rapid urbanisation, and increased globalization presents a unique set of challenges in Erbil related to the struggle to balance history and identity with the demand for modernisation. This research therefore, aims to develop a methodology, theoretical propositions and appropriate urban design guidelines to enhance place-identity through urban development process in historic cities that face rapid and globally influenced post-war urban interventions with a particular focus on Erbil, Iraq. The conceptual framework developed for this study links key literature on place-identity with the challenges of protecting heritage while adapting to globalisation in emerging nations. The research method integrated qualitative, morphological, and inquiry-by-design approaches at different scales. A case study of three periodical neighbourhoods in Erbil was used to identify key characteristics that shape and transform urban form through the context of place-identity. Key informant interviews with local residents, policy makers, and other stakeholders assisted to identify how place-identity can be maintained, adapted, and incorporated into…
abstract: Throughout history, war has caused fundamental political, economic, and social transformations around the world, spatially impacting urban form. This is further compounded during post-war reconstruction by global influences that have played a strong role in re-shaping urban form and distinctive place-identity of unique historical landscapes. One recent example is the case of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region of Iraq. After decades of war and ethnic repression, the area is now experiencing a period of political and economic stability, intensified post-war reconstruction and rapid urbanisation. While the city has global aspirations to become a modern capital of an emerging nation it also desires to proudly represent its historic roots and identity through strong ties to its Citadel, a UNESCO listed heritage site. The inter-linkages between war, rapid urbanisation, and increased globalization presents a unique set of challenges in Erbil related to the struggle to balance history and identity with the demand for modernisation. This research therefore, aims to develop a methodology, theoretical propositions and appropriate urban design guidelines to enhance place-identity through urban development process in historic cities that face rapid and globally influenced post-war urban interventions with a particular focus on Erbil, Iraq. The conceptual framework developed for this study links key literature on place-identity with the challenges of protecting heritage while adapting to globalisation in emerging nations. The research method integrated qualitative, morphological, and inquiry-by-design approaches at different scales. A case study of three periodical neighbourhoods in Erbil was used to identify key characteristics that shape and transform urban form through the context of place-identity. Key informant interviews with local residents, policy makers, and other stakeholders assisted to identify how place-identity can be maintained, adapted, and incorporated into…
author: Almukhtar, Avar
language: en
date published: 2018
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:42:18Z
provider: Oxford Brookes University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Oxford Brookes University

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.24384/xkcj-8x08