This paper reports on a case study carried out in Nablus, one of the largest Palestinian cities. It investigates socio-cultural and environmental aspects of contemporary and traditional housing in the city. Current housing is evaluated by conducting an empirical investigation on a random sample of apartment buildings, distributed in different new neighborhoods of the city, while traditional housing is examined in the context of the old town of Nablus. Results revealed that traditional Palestinian architecture has succeeded in arriving at culturally and environmentally responsive design solutions that could be reintroduced in sustainable models for future developments in housing. Lessons could be learned from traditions to design environmentally friendly and culturally responsive housing, which will contribute to preserving the architectural heritage and strengthening the cultural identity of Palestine.

Title

Open House International, (The Architecture of Development) Vol. 28, no.3, pp.58- 67, 2003

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Publisher Country

Palestine

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

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Year

2003

Pages

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