ISLAMIC NORMS AND TRADITIONAL FORMS : THE CASE OF TRIPOLI

Nahed  M. GHAZAL

Two of the most serious obstacles to the improvement of planning activities in Muslim countries are the gap between conceptual research and practice on the one hand, and the criteria used to evaluate solutions for the design of spatial distribution and house form on the other. Architect's experience in building and urban development has been to date only dependent on isolated buildings as works of art. Furthermore, modern buildings are being designed on the basis of imported alien architectural values and norms which in no way relate to the basic requirements of local societies. The result of this has been the absence of interaction between man's traditional experience as a builder of his own house and the values and theories of modern architecture.

Muslim countries, in general, have been suffering from increasing economic pressures, poverty and the need for rapid development. Therefore, the infrastructure, physical factors, mass production and the application of international style have been stressed with very little consideration being given to the socio‑cultural and religious components which should significantly contribute to the architectural experience.

This work focuses on the Islamic cities of the Middle East region, in particular the city of Tripoli in Lebanon. This region has been molded by the Arabic‑Islamic civilization since the mid‑seventh century. The socio‑cultural behavior and the religious teachings have interrelated and amalgamated together to give the Arabic‑Islamic city its special character and interesting morphology in its urban structure and architectural form.

The long traditional Islamic building experience in the Middle East suffered a set‑back with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 which was followed by the introduction of the Western European system. Since then, insufficient attention has been devoted to the study of the relationship between Islamic law and the architectural requirements of Muslim communities.

This research attempts to shed light on the intervention of religion in the activities of everyday life through the essence of spirituality which is reflected on the morphology of the city. The old quarters of the city of Tripoli have been chosen for this investigation to examine the inherent impact of religious guidelines and regulations on the built form. Special attention is given to the issue of location and arrangement of various elements within the house, the market and its adjacent cul‑de‑sacs.