IN-PERSON: Prague – Section A

Abstract

There are several factors that contribute to placemaking, and as part of the larger system, architecture plays a role in reflecting people’s sense of belonging and identity. When conflicts arise, architecture inevitably suffers in a physical manner, impacting people’s lives, and leading to the loss of the intangible cultural essence of a space. This has been the case in many Syrian cities due to the long-lasting war. In Aleppo, Syria’s third largest city, much of the old historic quarter, which is a designated World Heritage Site has been destroyed. Currently, it is in the post-war recovery phase, where rehabilitation projects are typically undertaken by the local population, Syrian antiquities, and external stakeholders. The following thesis explores a critical reconstruction between contemporary and tradition of souks and neighbouring typologies in the ancient city of Aleppo’s Al-Madineh district. Souks are a source of economic prosperity, cultural heritage, and a place of communal engagement. Through integrating a sense of familiarity, war-torn spaces can be revisited and reconstructed as a method of retrieving Syrians’ livelihoods, sense of identity, and continuity of culture.