Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf Key Characteristics of Urban Patterns Arabic City : The concern is with looking at the Key features of traditional; colonial

Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf

Key Characteristics of Urban PatternsKey Characteristics of Urban Patterns

Arabic CitArabic Cityy : : The concern is with looking at the KeyThe concern is with looking at the Key features features

of traditional; colonial & modern patternsof traditional; colonial & modern patterns

Approach Approach AdoptedAdoptedElements of the Built

EnvironmentElements of the Built

Environment

TownscapeTownscape

Public RealmPublic Realm

ArchitectureArchitecture

Urban FormUrban Form

Elevation/Character/Style/

Richness/Visual Interest

Elevation/Character/Style/

Richness/Visual Interest

Access/Public Space/Space Network/

Public Art/Permeability

Access/Public Space/Space Network/

Public Art/Permeability

Density/Massing Privacy/

Plot Size/Street Pattern/Building Line/

Enclosure

Density/Massing Privacy/

Plot Size/Street Pattern/Building Line/

Enclosure

Character/Context/Landmarks/Street Scenes/Views/

Skylines/Vistas

Character/Context/Landmarks/Street Scenes/Views/

Skylines/Vistas

Elements of the Built

Environment:.1Townscape.2Urban Form.3Public Realm.4Architecture


Townscape of Townscape of Traditional Arabic Traditional Arabic

CitiesCities The traditional city is the result of an The traditional city is the result of an organic growth of houses, mixed up with organic growth of houses, mixed up with shops while keeping the mosques as the shops while keeping the mosques as the

focal pointfocal point..Minarets and larger Domes are Minarets and larger Domes are

elements emerging from continuous elements emerging from continuous roofscaperoofscape;;

The traditional pattern much The traditional pattern much emphasises a connection with the sky emphasises a connection with the sky

above: the top edge of the walls has an above: the top edge of the walls has an interplay with the sky by using various interplay with the sky by using various designs breaking the linearity of both designs breaking the linearity of both

the roof and the wall topthe roof and the wall top..


Townscape of Townscape of Colonial Arabic Colonial Arabic

CitiesCities Buildings have impressed themselves as a Buildings have impressed themselves as a landmark upon the urban scenelandmark upon the urban scene;;

By virtue of size & scale, such landmarks were By virtue of size & scale, such landmarks were the key decorative elements of a citythe key decorative elements of a city;;

Buildings showed great respect for context: Buildings showed great respect for context: window shapes; details; materials; gable and window shapes; details; materials; gable and

colour blind to represent a highly decorative & colour blind to represent a highly decorative & unified street sceneunified street scene;;

The shop front is the façade’s element for The shop front is the façade’s element for contactcontact;;

The arcade is a key element in providing cover The arcade is a key element in providing cover for the shoppers in hot and witty weatherfor the shoppers in hot and witty weather;;

The arcade has drawn on continuity to the The arcade has drawn on continuity to the potentially diverse street scenepotentially diverse street scene . .


Townscape of Townscape of Post-colonial Post-colonial

StateState Tall buildings much emphasise a sense Tall buildings much emphasise a sense of social power & prestige, a corporate of social power & prestige, a corporate image of economic welfare as well as a image of economic welfare as well as a

government image for the state having a government image for the state having a national progressnational progress;;

The skyline is much more dynamic The skyline is much more dynamic and/or chaoticand/or chaotic;;

The skyline is continually changing, The skyline is continually changing, probably as a result of uncoordinated probably as a result of uncoordinated

efforts of individual institutionsefforts of individual institutions


Urban Form of A Urban Form of A traditional Arabic Citytraditional Arabic City

An aggregation of enclosed cellular units, An aggregation of enclosed cellular units, taking the shape of private houses; taking the shape of private houses;

mosques and markets, all built within a mosques and markets, all built within a coherent urban formcoherent urban form;;

Buildings are not considered as detached Buildings are not considered as detached objects, but rather as living architectural objects, but rather as living architectural

shells, shaped according to the actual shells, shaped according to the actual needs and responding to enclosed needs and responding to enclosed

activitiesactivities;;Mosques are the reference point in the Mosques are the reference point in the

urban fabric: street layout seems to urban fabric: street layout seems to radiate & merge from one mosque to the radiate & merge from one mosque to the

nextnext;;The division of land was not based on a The division of land was not based on a

definite method with less connection to a definite method with less connection to a geometric discipline. Rather, the size & geometric discipline. Rather, the size &

alignments of lots was due to the alignments of lots was due to the continuous subdividing of land resulting continuous subdividing of land resulting in compact & uncontrolled urban fabricin compact & uncontrolled urban fabric;;


Clusters & Clusters & Central Central

CourtyardCourtyardThe cluster approach includes an integral & The cluster approach includes an integral &

autonomous entity, with its own resource of air; light autonomous entity, with its own resource of air; light and open space – known as central courtyard (Bianca, and open space – known as central courtyard (Bianca,

2000)2000)..Each enclosed area has a courtyard, with elevations Each enclosed area has a courtyard, with elevations

turned inwards facing each otherturned inwards facing each other;;Repetition of similar patterns of enclosure, and Repetition of similar patterns of enclosure, and

inclusion of plot size throughout hierarchal levels of inclusion of plot size throughout hierarchal levels of the built form, has resulted in complete structural the built form, has resulted in complete structural

integrationintegration;;The outer walls are often blind, as they are shared The outer walls are often blind, as they are shared

with attached neighbourhood buildings making street with attached neighbourhood buildings making street fronts of a secondary importance responding to local fronts of a secondary importance responding to local

climate and to the Islamic life of privacy, while climate and to the Islamic life of privacy, while building exuding users with a sense of place, identity, building exuding users with a sense of place, identity,

security and individual freedomsecurity and individual freedom;;


More on More on Courtyard Courtyard FeaturesFeatures Street and alleyways are virtually swallowed by the Street and alleyways are virtually swallowed by the

residential clusters, being transformed into a series of residential clusters, being transformed into a series of internal corridors. The houses can only be seen and internal corridors. The houses can only be seen and

experienced from within and do not depend on external experienced from within and do not depend on external open spacesopen spaces;;

The inside plan of the building frequently used the court The inside plan of the building frequently used the court form. Surrounding the court were covered colonnades and form. Surrounding the court were covered colonnades and

the rooms were arranged to open onto balconies overlooking the rooms were arranged to open onto balconies overlooking the Courtthe Court;;

This arrangement allowed cool air to flow through the This arrangement allowed cool air to flow through the building into every room in the evening. In the daytime, building into every room in the evening. In the daytime,

when outside windows were closed, the coolness was when outside windows were closed, the coolness was maintained inside the rooms by heavy walls, which absorbed maintained inside the rooms by heavy walls, which absorbed any heat build-up. The courtyard then became the controlled any heat build-up. The courtyard then became the controlled

source of light, provided shade as the sun moved across the source of light, provided shade as the sun moved across the sky, and allowed a portion of that light to be used all day for sky, and allowed a portion of that light to be used all day for

indoor living purposes. Thus, the open courtyard was in indoor living purposes. Thus, the open courtyard was in effect the inner living spaceeffect the inner living space


Urban Form of Colonial Urban Form of Colonial Arabic CityArabic City

Characterized by grid iron pattern of street layoutCharacterized by grid iron pattern of street layout;;Design has concerned with human scale; that is, the Design has concerned with human scale; that is, the

relationship of buildings and urban space to the size of a relationship of buildings and urban space to the size of a human being. Man was therefore the measure used for the human being. Man was therefore the measure used for the

built environmentbuilt environment;;In particular, on the ground and first floors, architectural In particular, on the ground and first floors, architectural

ornaments have no decorative elements with their smaller ornaments have no decorative elements with their smaller dimensions less than 1-1.5 cm. Beyond the third floor, a dimensions less than 1-1.5 cm. Beyond the third floor, a

bolder treatment of ornament is necessary for it to impinge bolder treatment of ornament is necessary for it to impinge upon the senses: a wide overhanging cornice, or highly upon the senses: a wide overhanging cornice, or highly

modelled roofline, is the most effective at viewing distancemodelled roofline, is the most effective at viewing distance;;The square pattern is dominant around which the key civic The square pattern is dominant around which the key civic

buildings are arranged. Equally important for unity is the buildings are arranged. Equally important for unity is the repetition of roof materials, skyline, verge, and eaves repetition of roof materials, skyline, verge, and eaves

details; the consistent use of floors cape materials and details; the consistent use of floors cape materials and patterning; and the choice of street fittings of compatible patterning; and the choice of street fittings of compatible

formform


Urban Form of Colonial Urban Form of Colonial Arabic CityArabic City

Buildings expressed a coherent street Buildings expressed a coherent street façades through continuity of heights, façades through continuity of heights, widths, forms, colours, and materialswidths, forms, colours, and materials..

The visual image of the colonial Arabic The visual image of the colonial Arabic city and its skyline remained intact for city and its skyline remained intact for

centuries, largely due to both the centuries, largely due to both the limitations of available building materials limitations of available building materials and techniques, and more important, by and techniques, and more important, by

fire-conscious building regulations, which fire-conscious building regulations, which restricted building heightsrestricted building heights..

The buildings were generally of red brick The buildings were generally of red brick and of a modest height of about three or and of a modest height of about three or

four storeysfour storeys . .


Urban Form of Urban Form of Arabic Post-Colonial Arabic Post-Colonial

CityCity Rectangular grid of streets and avenuesRectangular grid of streets and avenues . .Land subdivisions have been institutionalized, Land subdivisions have been institutionalized,

using regulatory measures: such as zoning, using regulatory measures: such as zoning, codes, legislation, master plans and other codes, legislation, master plans and other

prescribed ordinances, primarily into squares or prescribed ordinances, primarily into squares or rectangular lots, as the model for urban formrectangular lots, as the model for urban form..

Contextual values and human-scale interrelations Contextual values and human-scale interrelations between buildings and/or between buildings and between buildings and/or between buildings and

open spaces, are much neglected in favour of a open spaces, are much neglected in favour of a rigid functional separation of housing, public rigid functional separation of housing, public

facilities, traffic and open spacesfacilities, traffic and open spaces . .Single functions are being isolated and inflated to Single functions are being isolated and inflated to

a point where they became meaninglessa point where they became meaningless


Urban Form of Post-Urban Form of Post-Colonial Arabic CityColonial Arabic City While the high-rise buildings have provided While the high-rise buildings have provided

the city with its own individual identities and the city with its own individual identities and urban image, their appearance and location in urban image, their appearance and location in the city have generally been unplanned. They the city have generally been unplanned. They

have created various visual problems, have created various visual problems, primarily because of their location, site primarily because of their location, site

planning, and in particular design have not planning, and in particular design have not always been in a harmony with the broader always been in a harmony with the broader

design context of urban complexdesign context of urban complex..High-rise buildings became a source of the High-rise buildings became a source of the

visual pollution in the urban environment, visual pollution in the urban environment, especially if they were poorly designed and especially if they were poorly designed and

insensitively locatedinsensitively located..


Public Realm of Public Realm of Traditional Arabic CityTraditional Arabic CityTraditional Arabic cities were built on a Traditional Arabic cities were built on a

pedestrian scalepedestrian scale..Public spaces were allocated to, and often Public spaces were allocated to, and often

integrated with, specific architectural units: such integrated with, specific architectural units: such as mosques, schools, etc and therefore as mosques, schools, etc and therefore

detached from the urban realmdetached from the urban realm..Streets were subsidiary to the urban structure Streets were subsidiary to the urban structure

and were often transformed into narrow and were often transformed into narrow internal corridorsinternal corridors..

Priority was given to the clear definition of well-Priority was given to the clear definition of well-marked space compartments, far from private marked space compartments, far from private

and public uses. As the ramified street network and public uses. As the ramified street network were absorbed by the corresponding were absorbed by the corresponding

architectural units, the main thoroughfares architectural units, the main thoroughfares were integrated into the market, secondary were integrated into the market, secondary lanes into the residential quarters, and the lanes into the residential quarters, and the dead-end alleys into the clusters of private dead-end alleys into the clusters of private

houses to which they gave accesshouses to which they gave access . .


Public Realm of Traditional Public Realm of Traditional Arabic CityArabic City

The sequence corresponded to a well-established The sequence corresponded to a well-established hierarchy and was punctuated by gates and hierarchy and was punctuated by gates and

thresholds. The circulation system therefore helped thresholds. The circulation system therefore helped implement increasing degrees of privacy, ensuring implement increasing degrees of privacy, ensuring

that every section of the network matched the that every section of the network matched the character of the space it served and the social needs character of the space it served and the social needs

of its usersof its users..The space layouts are focused on a multi-functional The space layouts are focused on a multi-functional

core structure enveloping the surrounding central core structure enveloping the surrounding central mosque by different layers of interconnected mosque by different layers of interconnected

markets. These are interspersed with a number of markets. These are interspersed with a number of Arabic path, schools and caravanserais which Arabic path, schools and caravanserais which

constitute the support system for the mosque and constitute the support system for the mosque and the retail shopsthe retail shops..


Public Realm of Public Realm of Colonial Arabic CityColonial Arabic City •Urban streets of a colonial city are broadly grouped Urban streets of a colonial city are broadly grouped

into three functional types: the great civic streets, into three functional types: the great civic streets, dominated by the civic buildings; the commercial dominated by the civic buildings; the commercial

streets and the residential streetsstreets and the residential streets..•Columns, pediments and other classical elements are Columns, pediments and other classical elements are

used to achieve the unity in the streets despite the used to achieve the unity in the streets despite the variety of different building types, heights, and sizevariety of different building types, heights, and size..

•Squares; commercial squares and residential ones, Squares; commercial squares and residential ones, were a place of rest within the busy street networkwere a place of rest within the busy street network..

•The civic square facades were usually restrained and The civic square facades were usually restrained and classical, designed to impress. The most important classical, designed to impress. The most important

concern in decorating was achieving unity and concern in decorating was achieving unity and rhythmrhythm . .


Public Realm of Public Realm of Colonial Arabic CityColonial Arabic City Commercial squares were often examples of the comic scene, Commercial squares were often examples of the comic scene,

displaying exuberance through a variety of decorated displaying exuberance through a variety of decorated facades. The residential squares, unlike residential streets, facades. The residential squares, unlike residential streets,

tend to display tragic scenes, restrained facades decorated by tend to display tragic scenes, restrained facades decorated by unity and rhythm of small cuesunity and rhythm of small cues..

Dominated squares were categorized by one individual Dominated squares were categorized by one individual structure or a group of buildings towards which the open structure or a group of buildings towards which the open

space is directed and to which all other surrounding space is directed and to which all other surrounding structures are related. This dominating building may be a structures are related. This dominating building may be a

palace, town hall, or railway station. The squares were palace, town hall, or railway station. The squares were distinguished by two types: the “deep”, and the “wide”. Edge distinguished by two types: the “deep”, and the “wide”. Edge

buildings are most of rich decoration on their facade buildings are most of rich decoration on their facade attracting attention and fully establishing the landmark on attracting attention and fully establishing the landmark on

mindsminds..Most civic furniture acted in harmony with, or enhanced by, Most civic furniture acted in harmony with, or enhanced by,

counterpoints of the public space decorated by a fountain, a counterpoints of the public space decorated by a fountain, a tree, a statue, a clock tower with seatstree, a statue, a clock tower with seats..


Public Realm of Post Public Realm of Post Colonial CityColonial City Characterised by the grid pattern and Characterised by the grid pattern and

designed to maximize movement and designed to maximize movement and accessibility. Streets show more concern for accessibility. Streets show more concern for

cars than for people. The streets disregard cars than for people. The streets disregard climatic comfort, privacy and security. climatic comfort, privacy and security.

Moreover, although many of the public spaces Moreover, although many of the public spaces are quite large, generally they are neither very are quite large, generally they are neither very

green nor very accessible for usegreen nor very accessible for use..Concentration of commercial & public Concentration of commercial & public

buildings in downtown areas vanishes the buildings in downtown areas vanishes the interface between various facets of social life. interface between various facets of social life.

Buildings are very intrusive and poorly Buildings are very intrusive and poorly integrated with other buildings, and even integrated with other buildings, and even

when they incorporate excellent landscaping when they incorporate excellent landscaping and amenities, these often remain and amenities, these often remain

unconnected to public footpath systems or to unconnected to public footpath systems or to adjacent landscape elementsadjacent landscape elements..


Public Realm of Public Realm of Post Colonial Post Colonial

CityCity It appears to be filled with a clutter of signs, It appears to be filled with a clutter of signs, kiosks, lampposts of various sizes and shapes, kiosks, lampposts of various sizes and shapes, overhead wires and advertisement hoardingsoverhead wires and advertisement hoardings..

They pay less consideration to their grouping and They pay less consideration to their grouping and the effect they have on the street scenethe effect they have on the street scene . .

The opportunity of repeating, on the paving The opportunity of repeating, on the paving pattern, the sinuous forms of the street plan has pattern, the sinuous forms of the street plan has

been missed, together with the opportunity of been missed, together with the opportunity of retaining the proportion and scale of the street by retaining the proportion and scale of the street by

using raised pavements on both sidesusing raised pavements on both sides..


Architecture of Architecture of Traditional Arabic CityTraditional Arabic City Traditional city has been of Islamic architecture by Traditional city has been of Islamic architecture by

nature based in Arabian Peninsula and the nature based in Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean area: using stone of various kinds and Mediterranean area: using stone of various kinds and sun-dried or baked brick to create tranquillity & unitysun-dried or baked brick to create tranquillity & unity..

Architectural forms were evolved using bearing walls Architectural forms were evolved using bearing walls with domes as the most common forms. Domes were with domes as the most common forms. Domes were

the natural roof forms to span larger covered spaces. For the natural roof forms to span larger covered spaces. For colonnades with flat roofs, wooden logs or cut-timber colonnades with flat roofs, wooden logs or cut-timber

beams were usedbeams were used..Islamic art was able to gain a new dimension through its

marriage with architectural structures. This is due to the specific sense of space generated by the dominant

courtyard typology.


Architecture of Architecture of Traditional Arabic CityTraditional Arabic CityIslamic architecture was supported by means of artistic expression: i.e. calligraphy, geometric patterns, and the arabesque, that all were surface-

related and therefore suitable to fully merge with the planes of walls and/or ceilings.

Arabesque and geometrical patterns were often juxtaposed with calligraphy to from frames and panels of continuous decoration. While

Islamic art favoured plane surfaces for its use of geometrical patterns and arabesques, it also developed a three-dimensional geometric pattern

that is considered as an important vehicle of artistic expression .

The key component of this three-dimensional adornment is the muqarnas. The muqarnas have become a hallmark of Islamic

architecture. Their use was by no means restricted to the supporting corners of vaulted structures but became a ubiquitous decorative

element, filling the interior of domes, the cavities of niches and the projecting edges of balconies and cornices with their stalactites or

hanging niches.


Architecture of Architecture of Colonial Arabic CityColonial Arabic City European city is subdivided horizontally and vertically by European city is subdivided horizontally and vertically by

elements of order, the entablature, the column and/or elements of order, the entablature, the column and/or pilasterpilaster..

Each floor is distinguished by the use of a different order. Each floor is distinguished by the use of a different order. The building façade consists of three key sections: a The building façade consists of three key sections: a

foundation or base; a middle section with its rows of foundation or base; a middle section with its rows of windows; and the roof zone, which connects the building windows; and the roof zone, which connects the building

to the sky by silhouetteto the sky by silhouette..Decoration is a key dependant upon building’s location, Decoration is a key dependant upon building’s location,

height & size. The elements were emphasised by a height & size. The elements were emphasised by a simple horizontal stringcourse. Within the zone, the simple horizontal stringcourse. Within the zone, the

articulation was largely achieved through decoration articulation was largely achieved through decoration around the edges of windows, niches, or the treatment around the edges of windows, niches, or the treatment

of projecting bays, balconies, and stairwells. The of projecting bays, balconies, and stairwells. The ornamental work is of contrasting colour and material to ornamental work is of contrasting colour and material to

the background. The facades’ design is of load-bearing the background. The facades’ design is of load-bearing masonry construction with large window areas, masonry construction with large window areas, considered as a skilful engineering achievementconsidered as a skilful engineering achievement..


Architecture of Architecture of Colonial Arabic CityColonial Arabic City The street corners are stressed by a decorative The street corners are stressed by a decorative

treatment to be memorable and to strengthen the city treatment to be memorable and to strengthen the city image. A prime location for architectural decoration image. A prime location for architectural decoration

was at the external corners of a building, particularly, if was at the external corners of a building, particularly, if the corner is at the junction of several streetsthe corner is at the junction of several streets..

The design elements were used to achieve an effective The design elements were used to achieve an effective indoor cooling & reducing the undesirable impact of indoor cooling & reducing the undesirable impact of

both solar radiation and outdoor temperature both solar radiation and outdoor temperature variationsvariations . .

The heavy size of the buildings, with relatively The heavy size of the buildings, with relatively controlled openings, provided excellent thermal inertia, controlled openings, provided excellent thermal inertia, reducing and delaying the transfer of the external heat reducing and delaying the transfer of the external heat

loads to the interior. Equally, the mouldings and loads to the interior. Equally, the mouldings and cornices have shaded the glazed openings; which also cornices have shaded the glazed openings; which also

had shutters, awnings, or roller blinds in an extendable had shutters, awnings, or roller blinds in an extendable frame allowing ventilation and light. Mansard roofs, frame allowing ventilation and light. Mansard roofs,

forming large ventilated airspaces protected the floors forming large ventilated airspaces protected the floors below, reducing heat losses unwanted heat gainsbelow, reducing heat losses unwanted heat gains..


Architecture of Post-Architecture of Post-colonial Citycolonial City More buildings are of 6-10 storeys, with flat roofs. More buildings are of 6-10 storeys, with flat roofs.

The ground floor is designed as retail stores. The ground floor is designed as retail stores. Apartments are on the first floor. One or two Apartments are on the first floor. One or two

elevators are used and fire-stairs are almost non-elevators are used and fire-stairs are almost non-existent except in large new projects. Apartments existent except in large new projects. Apartments

are two and three bedroom units, with 100-120 sq are two and three bedroom units, with 100-120 sq m areas. They mostly look toward the street m areas. They mostly look toward the street

surrounding the buildingsurrounding the building..Modern architecture, in its puritanical zeal, rejected Modern architecture, in its puritanical zeal, rejected

ornament and decorationornament and decoration..The post-colonial city has been considered as a The post-colonial city has been considered as a

machine to provide work, housing, and other machine to provide work, housing, and other activities of mutual profitactivities of mutual profit..

Where decoration are used, it is to express Where decoration are used, it is to express commercial strength; it symbolizes the power and commercial strength; it symbolizes the power and prestige of the enterprise, usually a multi-national prestige of the enterprise, usually a multi-national

organizationorganization . .


Summary:Summary: Urban Urban Planning of Arabic Planning of Arabic

CitiesCities .1.1Traditional cityTraditional city is characterized by: willingness to adapt to local materials is characterized by: willingness to adapt to local materials and local image; symmetry in the plan and elevation; the organic growth and local image; symmetry in the plan and elevation; the organic growth as an aggregation of private houses, mosques and markets, all collected as an aggregation of private houses, mosques and markets, all collected

within a coherent urban fabric; the sequence hierarchy of space from the within a coherent urban fabric; the sequence hierarchy of space from the public, semi-private and private spaces to maximize family privacy; built public, semi-private and private spaces to maximize family privacy; built on a pedestrian scale provided an extremely dense townscape; and the on a pedestrian scale provided an extremely dense townscape; and the

calligraphy, geometric patterns and the arabesque as the main means of calligraphy, geometric patterns and the arabesque as the main means of the visual interest and richnessthe visual interest and richness..

.2.2By By colonialismcolonialism, all Arabic cities were influenced by the general attitudes , all Arabic cities were influenced by the general attitudes originating from several design considerations. There key features are: originating from several design considerations. There key features are:

symmetry of design elements to a balanced composition around one symmetry of design elements to a balanced composition around one and/or more axial lines; closing of vistas by careful placing of monumental and/or more axial lines; closing of vistas by careful placing of monumental

buildings at the ends of long, straight streets; and individual buildings buildings at the ends of long, straight streets; and individual buildings integrated into a single, coherent, architectural ensemble, frequently integrated into a single, coherent, architectural ensemble, frequently

through the repetition of a basic elevation designthrough the repetition of a basic elevation design..


Summary:Summary: Urban Planning Urban Planning of Arabic Citiesof Arabic Cities

.3.3The modern patterns tend to differentiate urban along isolated function The modern patterns tend to differentiate urban along isolated function for housing, commerce, recreation, industrial activities and for housing, commerce, recreation, industrial activities and

governmental use. Thus, ensuring that functional segregation governmental use. Thus, ensuring that functional segregation disconnects human activities and support less social interaction. Road disconnects human activities and support less social interaction. Road

and transportation systems have transformed the urban form into and transportation systems have transformed the urban form into isolated patternsisolated patterns..


Documents

Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf Key Characteristics of Urban Patterns Arabic City : The concern is with looking at the Key features of traditional; colonial