PARALLEL LEARNING METHODS: STANDARD CURRICULUM VERSUS INTENSIVE COURSES

Due to the rapid change in technology and emergence of new theories and their professional applications, there is a rise in demand for relying more on compact and intensive courses with shorter durations and more direct applications, rather than the traditional courses with their long periods of time, which might vary from 14 to 16 weeks of study. Although they are already in existence, this paper aims to demonstrate the need to use more compact courses within the architecture curriculum, particularly simulating tools that either measure the current performance of a design or forecast its degree of success in order to cope with environmental needs (indoor and outdoor), accessibility, visual needs, technological variations and other related issues. The paper investigates the end users’ (students and instructors) point of view, by using a questionnaire as a tool. Furthermore, the paper investigates the results of the compact courses on the students’ performance in their design projects

HAS AN URBAN ‘NEW NORMAL’ BECOME NECESSARY FOLLOWING THE CORONA PANDEMIC?

After the global corona pandemic that spread throughout the globe, new terms appeared that demonstrate what is called the ‘new normal,’ that will affect the current lifestyle behavior starting from the various indoor spaces and methods of seating, to the outdoor urban spaces and means of moving from one space to another. This ‘new normal’ is governed by the ‘social’ or currently the term is moving more toward ‘physical’ distancing and hygiene behaviors that should be followed. This paper raises a new argument regarding the impact of this new pandemic: there is no long term for the ‘new normal’, and the procedures related to spatial organization and social distancing will vanish after a very short period of time when spatial behavior reverts to its ‘old typical normal’ ways of living. The paper’s hypothesis is based on an analysis of previous pandemic situations that countries and the globe have faced and their impact on outdoor urban social behavior, in addition to understanding the role of density in spreading or containing the virus. As an assumption, two parameters prevent the emergence of a long-term ‘new normal’ particularly with regard to open outdoor spaces. The reader might assume that the economic factor is the driving force, which is not the case, as discussed in the paper. The first factor is bottom-up, based on individual and collective group cultural and daily behavior as the main driving force. Monitoring cities that have started to return to their normal condition and observing people’s gathering spaces, especially outdoor spaces, shows that people are using the spaces as usual, with minor social or physical distancing. In countries that are enforcing a partial lockdown, still people are gathering and using the spaces as they used to previously. The second factor is a top-bottom, economic-related factor of the general conditions. Counties cannot afford a series of long, full lockdowns, especially developing ones. They cannot afford to force airlines, restaurants, entertainment facilities and other related economic facilities to work at 30-40% of their capacity. The facilities would not survive economically, and nor could they afford huge re-designs. The only affordable method is to change people’s personal hygiene behaviors when using the spaces, which might be temporary if a vaccine is discovered. This method suits, psychologically and economically, the individual, the economy, and the government, although it might not be the most effective path. As a result, after a few months, I argue that, gradually, the ‘old normal’ will return, as it is the most affordable solution for everyone. This corona pandemic is not the first and will not be the last health problem to arise. However, it is not strong enough to change the above two factors: cultural and economic behaviors. As a result, this paper suggests that there will be no ‘new normal’ and that the urban open spaces will be used as the ‘old normal,’ just as they were prior to covid-19

HISTORICAL EDGE ASSESSMENT: SPATIAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

This paper develops a quantitative analysis method that is capable of examining the urban edges of historic cities with reference to their spatial configuration. This aim provides the opportunity for assessing the current situation of historic urban edges. Accordingly, this assessment will help in developing appropriate regeneration plans for the site. Second, it enhances the process of comparison with other cases, in order to inherit those successful interventions that might fit according to base similarities, such as the spatial configuration, architectural characteristics, or other features, in addition, searching for any repetitive patterns. Assessing the current situation requires the evaluation of the interrelationship between both the historic and modern edge fabrics, measuring their spatial accessibility and connectivity. Four Arab cities are used as experimental comparative case studies, they are as follows: Cairo, Damascus, Alexandria and Tripoli (Lebanon)

ASSESSING PHOTOGRAMMETRY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MONUMENTAL BUILDINGS’ CRACK DIGITAL DETECTION

Natural and human-made disasters have significant impacts on monumental buildings, threatening them from being deteriorated. If no rapid consolidations took into consideration traumatic accidents would endanger the existence of precious sites. In this context, Beirut\u27s enormous 4th of August 2020 explosion damaged an estimated 640 historical monuments, many volunteers assess damages for more than a year to prevent the more crucial risk of demolitions. This research aims to assist the collaboration ability among photogrammetry science, Artificial Intelligence Model (AIM) and Architectural Coding to optimize the process for better coverage and scientific approach of data specific to the crack disorders to build a comprehensive model consolidation technique. Despite the current technological improvement, the restoration of the existing monument is a challenging and lengthy process where the actual site situation\u27s re-ignitions consume enormous time, from assessing the damages to establishing the restoration relying on human resource developments and manual drawings

OPTIMUM WINDBREAKER TO REDUCE WIND TUNNEL EFFECT ON OCCUPANT COMFORT AT PEDESTRIAN LEVEL (A CASE STUDY OF BAU BUILDING IN TRIPOLI)

Shape, size, building orientation and its interaction with the surrounding buildings can cause wind tunnel that affect the pedestrian comfort. This paper aims to select the optimum windbreaker height and thickness for reducing the effect of wind tunnels on pedestrian comfort, by selecting the building of Beirut Arab University (BAU)-Tripoli campus as a case study. Different alternative designs have been simulated and compared with the comfort criteria of pedestrians to conclude the optimum solution that can be adapted on the selected building and on any other cases that have similar characteristics

A child-friendly city: a youth creative vision of reclaiming interstitial spaces in El Mina (Tripoli, Lebanon)

Although old Arab cities were designed bottom-up to follow the needs of their users, public spaces for use by children were not fully considered. This paper is an outcome of a funded project that hosted 30 youth (aged 13–17 years old) from different parts of El Mina city, located in the North of Lebanon, Tripoli. The project’s aim was not limited to capacity building or designing a framework for youth participation as a vision for a child-friendly city alone, as it also demonstrated community participation with the youth to realize a design vision in an unused interstitial space by the youth in the ancient city of El Mina. The funded project consisted of many different stages; this paper focuses on the site selection, design process and the final stage of implementation. The results highlight the lessons learned from the youth’s participation, the adaptive reuse of interstitial spaces, in addition to the various interests of the project’s stakeholders. Santrauka Nors senieji Arabijos miestai buvo suprojektuoti principu „iš apačios į viršų“ siekiant patenkinti jų vartotojų poreikius, tačiau į viešąsias erdves, skirtas naudotis vaikams, nebuvo iki galo atsižvelgta. Šis straipsnis – tai rezultatas finansuoto projekto, kuriame dalyvavo 30 jaunuolių (13–17 metų amžiaus) iš skirtingų El Minos miesto, įsikūrusio Šiaurės Libane (Tripolyje), dalių. Projekto tikslas nebuvo varžomas kuriamų gebėjimų ar projektuojamos struktūros kaip vien tik vaikams palankaus miesto vizijos, skirtos jaunimui; projektu taip pat buvo pademonstruotas bendruomenės dalyvavimas, įsitraukiant jaunimui, siekiant įgyvendinti dizaino idėjas nenaudojamoje tarpinėje erdvėje senoviniame El Minos mieste. Finansuotą projektą sudarė daug skirtingų etapų; šiame straipsnyje susitelkiama į vietos parinkimą, projektavimo procesą ir galutinį įgyvendinimo etapą. Gauti rezultatai iliustruoja jaunimo dalyvavimo suteiktas pamokas, adaptyvų pakartotinį tarpinių erdvių naudojimą, be to, įvairius projekto suinteresuotų šalių interesus. Reikšminiai žodžiai: vaikams palankus miestas, kūrybinis mokymasis, El Mina (Tripolis), tarpinės erdvės, jaunimo dalyvavimas, jaunimo vizija

Monitoring participatory approaches in Mediterranean waterfront developments (El Mina, Lebanon; Alexandria, Egypt; and Antalya, Turkey)

Public participation is an important tool for communities to influence development decisions for public spaces in general and waterfronts in particular. In coastal cities, waterfronts are an important touristic attraction and are affected by social and economic issues. Users’ activities and responsiveness to waterfront projects are affected by the development types and methods. This study is part of ongoing research aiming to evaluate the participatory approach methods in the waterfronts of Mediterranean cities. It examines three coastal cities that have developed differently based on sustainable development studies. This study is a top–down approach that investigates the applied phases and methods of participation and evaluates these involvements after comparison with the preferred phases and methods. This paper uses qualitative and quantitative methods, which are based on analysis of social studies about participation priorities. It uses methods such as documentation, lengthy interviews and questionnaires with visitors. The outcome of this research proves the need for application of participatory approaches in Mediterranean cities

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USER\u27S DENSITIES AND FUNCTIONS DISTRIBUTION ON MEDITERRANEAN WATERFRONTS: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS APPROACH

The type of buildings and activities along the waterfronts have to stimulate the interactivity between public spaces and their users to reach the desired comfort, enjoyment and appropriate densities. This study is part of a continuing research and it aims to highlight the spatial relationship between the type of buildings and the densities on cities waterfronts of the Mediterranean Sea. It undertakes three case studies with different economic and touristic levels. It is a top-bottom approach that analyzes the existing population densities on waterfronts and the surrounding building functions. This paper uses quantitative analysis based on spatial statistics along each of the three waterfronts. The data collection is made through documentation, direct observations, mapping, Global Positioning System, and Geographic Information System software. The outcome of this research evaluates the relationship between functions and population densities to record how locations of functions increase population on waterfronts by making them attractive and recommends how waterfront zoning laws will consider specific land uses and techniques

MONITORING DAILY MOBILITY PATTERNS FOR UNIVERSITYSTUDENTS USING GPS TRACKING: TRIPOLI AS A CASE STUDY

Due to the current rapid growth of cities and technology, younger generations are spending more time in vehicles for their daily trips from home to various destinations, including their educational facilities. It is important to understand how people are using these spaces, and measuring this ‘understanding’ would need to consider a huge number of factors. This paper aims to help understand the pattern of movements in Tripoli city by monitoring Beirut Arab University students for a defined period of time using a GPS tracking method, and then comparing it with the spatial configuration of the city. This preliminary pilot study will raise awareness of the habits and methods of movement among the youth – either their use of mobile vehicles or their walking habits. This awareness is essential information that would help decision-makers in establishing appropriate future socio-health plans for the younger generation. The study shows huge variations in mobility and activity behaviour between genders, in terms of the distances covered, the speed of movements, the time spent in vehicles and the locations. In addition, the pattern of movements shows different degrees of correlation with the spatial configuration of Tripoli city in Lebanon

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGNING HEALTHIER KIDS’GARDENS: IN TRIPOLI, LEBANON

Nowadays, cities are human’s dominant habitat. Green spaces should be considered during city planning, since researchers indicate that gardens have positive effects on human health and wellbeing. This paper aims to ameliorate the physical health of kids as a main concern, which will consequently enhance their mental health. It also investigates different green spaces, especially public gardens, located in Tripoli, Lebanon. This paper uses observation, designed questionnaire and direct interviews to analyze the current condition of one of the city’s gardens that is devoted mainly for kids.The outcome of this paper is a list of recommendations for having healthier gardens and community in the future