A Geographical Semiotic Analysis Of Four Damascene Residential Neighbourhoods: Spatial Design And Behavioural Relations

Urban environments are geographical semiotic information systems represented by neighbourhood layouts, organization of streets and house designs. These geographic features form statements of and contexts for different socio-cultural functions and behaviourial patterns. Geographical semiotic information systems as expressed by urban environments are necessary means by which individuals and groups learn, use, and evaluate their urban environment. This dissertation examines these ideas as a basis for analysis of samples of four different neighbourhood designs in Damascus, Syria.;Analyses and comparison of examples of four urban environments in Damascus called Traditional house neighbourhoods, Attached apartment neighbourhoods, Detached apartment areas, and Elevator apartments are presented in four parts. Part I presents the conceptual framework, and theoretical underpinnings drawn from semiotics, architectures, and behaviourial geography. Five conceptual models are presented to relate the communication process to people interacting in the built environment.;Part II uses syntactic analyses to evaluate neighbourhood street patterns. Connectivity among different spaces reflects socio-cultural rules that relate to behaviourial concerns with privacy, security, sharing, integration, and control. Analyses show differences and similarities among the samples with regard to these human interests.;Part III is a pragmatic analyses of residents\u27 expressed preference for specific features in urban environment. These analyses show experience with design elements prove to be an important factor that affects inhabitants\u27 satisfaction with their residences. Also, urban social values that people admire most (such as display of wealth, social status, and cleanliness of neighbourhoods) are important information people use in judging urban environments.;Part IV is a semantic analysis of meanings associated with the built environment as understood by the inhabitants. It demonstrates that the more frequent interactions are with a design element, the more varied and intense are meanings people associate with it. Associated meanings combine functional, temporal, social and/or spiritual signative evidence. The analysis demonstrates the utility of geographical semiotics to inhabitants. It further illustrates how understanding geographical semiotics of the urban landscape is indispensable for developing meaningful urban environments

Beautiful Things That We Miss in Space Syntax

This Neo-vernacular architecture is often criticized for superfluously introducing local heritage. This mostly results from framing traditional architecture with only few prominent architectural elements. Less attention is given to other beautiful elements that are responsible for knitting all features together to produce a unique physical appearance. Concentrating on street designs, the argument of this study is that the connectivity and forms of the traditional streets encompass certain social rules and perceptional qualities, so that any changes in the street layout leads to changes in its social rules and perceptional impression. To justify this argument, a walled Arab neighborhood was examined through the case study of Sur Lawatyia, Oman. With the replacement of the curvilinear and broken streets of the case study with straight ones, a simplified street layout is obtained that on one hand, is an analogue to the neo-vernacular street layout and on the other hand is a good example to compare with the traditional neighborhood. A comparison of both street layouts is carried out through syntax analysis. The result was that the simple form is far short to represent the space syntax of the traditional street layout and its rich scenic features. Keywords: integrated spaces, space syntax, connectivity, real given value, social rule

Employing biomimicry in urban metamorphosis seeking for sustainability: case studies

Objective: The current study has aimed to develop the framework of biomimicry involvement in urban metamorphosis for sustainability. This research has engaged four objectives to achieve the aim. Objective one is to explore the rudiment interaction between human and nature through interrogating history, nature’s design. Objective two is to excavate the biomimicry in emulating nature’s genius. Objective three is to investigate the association between biomimicry and sustainable development, focusing on architectural features. Objective four is to develop the framework based on the biomimicry rules for human evolution and survival in the natural environment. Methodology: To achieve objective one, the grounded theory method was applied for scrutinizing human development and human awareness about their natural environment. To achieve objective two, an evidence study was conducted on the biomimicry emulation of nature’s genius. To achieve objective three, a critical literature review was conducted using content analysis method to identify the biomimicry focus and architectural features. Through matrix development method, the focus and architectural features were tabulated. To achieve objective four, the waterfall framework design method and case studies were conducted to plot this framework. Conclusions: This research gained a better understanding of biomimicry-based on theories of the evolution of organisms, including humans in the urban context, as measurement against sustainable benchmarks. It followed the paths of ecological researcher and urban philosophers, such as Freya Mathews and Moore, by re-versioned the human relationship with nature and the surrounding environment and observing human actions and development about life principles. In particular, the research found out that biomimicry is an approach that recently becomes the focus of many researchers of different disciplines seeking a solution for human problems.The biomimicry has been merged with sustainable architecture design through specific features; included, form and function, geometry, metaphor, movement, material, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology. Furthermore, biomimicry is an approach that involves nature as a model, mentor, and measure for inspiration, which converges law, principles, and strategies in the context of biomimicry-based on human evolution. Originality: The findings allowed architects and urban designers to enhance people’s awareness of their natural environment and provide a better perception of biomimicry in the application of human world, whether founded because of base instinct or a strategic view derived from the life’s principle

Energy and exergy analysis of parallel flow double effect H2O-[mmim][DMP] absorption refrigeration system for solar powered district cooling

Solar thermal energy-driven double effect absorption refrigeration system (DE-ARS) for district cooling in smart cities is an efficient, and sustainable alternative for centralized air conditioning and concurrently harnesses low-grade solar energy. This work investigates ionic liquid based H2O-[mmim][DMP] mixture as an alternative working fluid to overcome the drawback of H2O–LiBr driven DE-ARS. The thermodynamic properties of H2O-[mmim][DMP] mixture is evaluated using the excess Gibbs free energy model. Performance modeling and simulation of DEARS is based on both energy and exergy analysis by applying the first and second laws of thermodynamic. The performance, and solution circulation ratio of parallel flow DE-ARS is assessed and optimized under various temperatures and solution distribution ratios. In comparison to the conventional H2O–LiBr, the proposed H2O-[mmim][DMP] working fluid achieves 5.22% and 4.95% improvement in COP and ECOP, respectively at Th/Te/Ta/Tc of 140/5/30/30◦C . An optimization of generator temperature to achieve maximum COP and ECOP is performed for a wide range of evaporation temperature from 5 to 20◦C and Ta/Tc from 30 to 40◦C. An optimization of H2O-[mmim][DMP] mixture driven DE-ARS reveals the uppermost COPmax and ECOPmax of 1.81 and 0.69 for Te of 20◦C and Ta––Tc=30◦C.This publication was made possible by the NPRP grant (NPRP 12S-0304-190230) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation ). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author (s).Scopu

Emerging factors shaping identity of indigenous urbanism concurrently adopting modernity in qatar: The application of diffusion theory

Forms, designs, and symbols are the components of built environment, which transfer the information of place and identity to users. This research aimed to explore the emerging factors shaping the identity of local urban districts while adopting the global culture and modernity. To achieve this aim, the research has conducted two phases within which include a few steps. Phase one was to explore different urban zoning. It includes a detailed analysis of the different architectural styles and elements that have spread the identity concerning the main constituents of urban zones. Because of the difficulty to survey the whole Doha region, this research has focused on four mega projects with different characteristics in Doha Governorates; Pearl Qatar (representing Islamic architecture), Souq Waqif (representing traditional architecture), Msheireb project (as the combination of traditional and modern architecture), and West Bay (as the reference for global approach). Phase one has two steps; Field Observation and Field survey. Phase two was to explore the new elements spread for built environment's identity with the concentration on the selected sites in Doha. Phase two has two steps; Photo survey and Interviews. To test the proposed premise, this phase prolonged into human geography using Torsten Hagerstrand's diffusion theory. The findings of this research help architects and urban designers to enhance susers' awareness of their natural environment, and provide a better perception of identity in local urban districts and vernacular architecture, based on instinct and strategic view derived from the global culture and societal modern architecture principles.Scopu

Multi-layered documentation of heritage villages: The case of tinbak, qatar

Heritage settlements have long histories that consist of multiple layers of urban layouts, building forms, and culture. Looking at the first layer that formed the initiation stage of the growth becomes a difficult task because of the disguise of other successive layers. This article studies the abandoned village of Tinbak in Qatar that exemplifies a settlement at its initial stage of development. The method of examining a societal normative image of culturally suitable domiciliary development adds to the understanding of a heritage settlement layout. However, the village lacks literature sources and urban and architectural documentation. So, this article presents the first documentation of the tangible characteristics of both urban morphology and architectural typology. Site visits, oral documentation, photographic records and a 3D Faro scanner with a 130 m range were utilized to record and document the physical environment.This work was supported by the Qatar University under Internal Grant # QUCG-CENG-19/20-2

Improving Livability in Doha: The Role of Neighborhood Microclimates, Land Use, and Materials in Rapidly Urbanizing Regions

Recent evidence suggests that some densely populated areas of the world will be uninhabitable in the coming century due to extreme climate events (e.g. heat waves, atmospheric pollution, and drought) and due to shifts in microclimate and breathable air, which are directly related to livability. With estimates that over 75% of the global population will be living in cities by mid-century, scholars, practitioners, and government officials are asking what cities can do to address the pressing social and environmental challenges that emerge from climate change. They are also seeking to learn how this knowledge may inform policy decisions regarding physical, social, and economic planning to ensure an inviting quality of life and livability in these future places. We believe that we have an unprecedented opportunity to use our knowledge, technology, and social capacities to reduce the likelihood of producing a catastrophic future. This study compares the livability of two seemingly unlikely locations - Doha, Qatar, a capital city on the Arabian Gulf, and Portland, Oregon, an important American city in the Pacific Northwest. These cities are growing at different rates, have diverse cultural histories and varied development patterns, yet are attempting to improve urban livability for citizens in each place and its surrounding region. Through an in-depth examination of the physical changes that have occurred in both places and their corresponding urban climate conditions, especially thermal comfort, we describe the similarities and differences that help to define the challenges facing the management of each. We look specifically at two important empirically-derived measurements of livability: air quality and urban heat island effect. By focusing on these environmental stressors in each place, we are able to evaluate the extent to which different growth and policy drivers have impacted the ability for people to enjoy a desirable quality of life in both cities - different, but appropriate to each. We include as part of our approach a conceptual framework, which describes the coupling of environmental and human conditions for which changes in development patterns have direct implications on the livability of each location. As a result of our analysis, we offer insights about actions that show promise of managing future livability in each city and focus primarily on the ability to manipulate selected aspects of urban form - those characteristics of massing, surface materials, and tree cover that can change the air pollution and urban heat stress experience in each place. We focus specifically on landscape and site scale modifications that show promise of improving air quality and/or reducing urban heat as a stressor. Since cities around the world are looking to nature to provide benefits to city inhabitants, we emphasize the salutary role of green infrastructure. While much is still to be discovered regarding the capacity for cities and their managers to adapt to the emerging challenges of climate change, population growth, and conventional development patterns, yet without sustained and promising actions, the cities that are home to the majority of people today may likely become either obsolete in the coming centuries or present less than desirable living conditions for their future residents. We recognize that while all cities are unique reflections of their unique biophysical, microclimatic, social, cultural, and natural contexts, they also share many similar circumstances and conditions - the identification of which may help policy makers address climate change more effectively. Our conclusions also support the fact that seemingly diverse cities do, in fact, contain similarities in terms of the local, environmental, and urban design conditions that determine air quality and contribute to urban heat island effect.qscienc

The Museum of Islamic Art: Form, perception, and environment

Islamic Arab societies have a distinctive but culturally common system of beliefs, attitudes, and values that over time have formed traditional expression. These traditions have been articulated through art, architecture, community designs, social institutions, and conventional behavior; all of which form spatial patterns. Knowledge regarding Islamic and Arab architecture is in hand through numerous publications. Recently, in Arab Gulf countries, the conservation of local identity has become the center of attention. Their attempts have been specifically demonstrated through the conversion of significant historical buildings into museums or applying neovernacular architectural styles in newly built museums. One might question their utilization as specifically museums. Museums symbolize cultural values, wealth, global status, and a center attraction. Contemporary architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar is a conspicuous example that is going to be the focus of this research. Even though the building was designed by I.M. Pei, a well-known architect who is foreign to Islamic design principles and to Qatari local architecture, it is one of the most protuberant landmarks in the city and one of the emblematical icons of neo-vernacular Qatari architecture that catalyzes urban rejuvenation. By studying the key to success of the architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art, this research suggests an approach for the analysis of museum study.Scopu