Nabil Mohareb | Beirut Arab University (original) (raw)
Papers by Nabil Mohareb
'Societies control the boundaries that they create' (Madanipour, Public and private spaces of the... more 'Societies control the boundaries that they create' (Madanipour, Public and private spaces of the city, 2003). Throughout history, urban peripheries have evolved and been transformed, creating forms of distinction. Emphasising those peripheries affects those social relationships that take a spatial form and, overtime, will cause a changing social phenomenon. Although the periphery of historic cores is indeed a spatial separating edge, it is at the same time the threshold that leads to the outside realm through the edges' spatial and visual connectivity. Prior to any regeneration interventions, it is crucial to understand the current situation of the historic core, in addition to analysing the core/periphery interrelation. This spatial interrelation analysis would contribute effectively to the decision-making related to sustainable regeneration projects and the prosperity of the historic core that increases the liveability of our cities. The current usage of spatial configuration is limited to either analysing the core of the city or examining its outer urban growth, while studying the edge itself, between the historic core and the outer urban growth, is ignored. This paper aims to investigate the core/periphery interrelation based on their spatial configuration in historic cities, with a special reference to Tripoli (Northern Lebanon) as a case study. The paper develops an appropriate framework to analyse that interrelationship. This analysis will verify whether the urban historic periphery acts as a barrier in its various conditions, and examines its mutual effects on both sides of the periphery that might affect the 'liveability' of the historic core of Tripoli city.
Cognitive Processing, 2009
The paper examines three-dimensional method of analysis to space syntax, focusing on the route cr... more The paper examines three-dimensional method of analysis to space syntax, focusing on the route cross sections along the axial map. The paper's aim is to understand the potential effects of route's cross-section morphology inside historical Cairo on pedestrian movement and land use distribution.
Planning Perspectives, 2012
Defensive walls in historic cities represent an urban edge between the old fabric and adjacent ur... more Defensive walls in historic cities represent an urban edge between the old fabric and adjacent urban growth layers. Through history, the wall functioned as a main defensive element of the city, forming an urban edge for both accessibility and socio-cultural activities. It is only comparatively recently that its function has been altered. Despite this fact, walls continue to influence the surrounding fabric and affect city inhabitants’ daily life. This article aims to understand the urban edges formed by defensive walls of Arab historic walled cities in general and Alexandria City in particular. It proposes a preliminary classification framework to analyse the type of spatial configuration on both sides of the wall and their degree of interaction. The analysis focuses on the defensive wall's footprint and its cumulative effect through history on the adjacent urban fabric. A greater understanding of the impact of historic city walls on urban patterns would inform the regeneration plans of these sites and contribute to improving and sustaining their relationship with the surrounding context.
In evacuation scenarios, assuming evacuees' potential location before a hazard situation is an in... more In evacuation scenarios, assuming evacuees' potential location before a hazard situation is an initial step for any simulation model. This initial step is crucial in analysing evacuation in urban open spaces, which is a less controllable environment than enclosed spaces, such as analysing evacuation inside buildings. There are problems with conventional models dealing with evacuation in urban spaces.
Abstract Land use distribution represents a major sustainable indicator. It has a cause and effec... more Abstract Land use distribution represents a major sustainable indicator. It has a cause and effect on transportation systems, time, power, and energy consuming, regarding the location of source and destination for each daily trip. Consequential, it affects the environment and the sustainable development planes.
Abstract Peripheral edge patterns in liveable historic walled cities of Arab Mediterranean countr... more Abstract Peripheral edge patterns in liveable historic walled cities of Arab Mediterranean countries are the focus of this comparative analysis. Four cities are selected Cairo (Egypt), Damascus (Syria), Alexandria (Egypt), and Tripoli (Lebanon). Cairo and Damascus because they are major capitals located away from the Mediterranean Sea, and their walls still exist in relatively good condition; Alexandria and Tripoli because they are port cities in which the walls have been demolished with few traces remaining.
Traditionally, the analysis of historical sites depends heavily on researches that focused on the... more Traditionally, the analysis of historical sites depends heavily on researches that focused on the physical and social aspects of the sites. The main emphasis of such approaches was to analyze the architectural style and characters, social life and activities within the urban fabric, and to different extents, to examine other issues related to the environmental and physical conditions of buildings.
'Societies control the boundaries that they create' (Madanipour, Public and private spaces of the... more 'Societies control the boundaries that they create' (Madanipour, Public and private spaces of the city, 2003). Throughout history, urban peripheries have evolved and been transformed, creating forms of distinction. Emphasising those peripheries affects those social relationships that take a spatial form and, overtime, will cause a changing social phenomenon. Although the periphery of historic cores is indeed a spatial separating edge, it is at the same time the threshold that leads to the outside realm through the edges' spatial and visual connectivity. Prior to any regeneration interventions, it is crucial to understand the current situation of the historic core, in addition to analysing the core/periphery interrelation. This spatial interrelation analysis would contribute effectively to the decision-making related to sustainable regeneration projects and the prosperity of the historic core that increases the liveability of our cities. The current usage of spatial configuration is limited to either analysing the core of the city or examining its outer urban growth, while studying the edge itself, between the historic core and the outer urban growth, is ignored. This paper aims to investigate the core/periphery interrelation based on their spatial configuration in historic cities, with a special reference to Tripoli (Northern Lebanon) as a case study. The paper develops an appropriate framework to analyse that interrelationship. This analysis will verify whether the urban historic periphery acts as a barrier in its various conditions, and examines its mutual effects on both sides of the periphery that might affect the 'liveability' of the historic core of Tripoli city.
Cognitive Processing, 2009
The paper examines three-dimensional method of analysis to space syntax, focusing on the route cr... more The paper examines three-dimensional method of analysis to space syntax, focusing on the route cross sections along the axial map. The paper's aim is to understand the potential effects of route's cross-section morphology inside historical Cairo on pedestrian movement and land use distribution.
Planning Perspectives, 2012
Defensive walls in historic cities represent an urban edge between the old fabric and adjacent ur... more Defensive walls in historic cities represent an urban edge between the old fabric and adjacent urban growth layers. Through history, the wall functioned as a main defensive element of the city, forming an urban edge for both accessibility and socio-cultural activities. It is only comparatively recently that its function has been altered. Despite this fact, walls continue to influence the surrounding fabric and affect city inhabitants’ daily life. This article aims to understand the urban edges formed by defensive walls of Arab historic walled cities in general and Alexandria City in particular. It proposes a preliminary classification framework to analyse the type of spatial configuration on both sides of the wall and their degree of interaction. The analysis focuses on the defensive wall's footprint and its cumulative effect through history on the adjacent urban fabric. A greater understanding of the impact of historic city walls on urban patterns would inform the regeneration plans of these sites and contribute to improving and sustaining their relationship with the surrounding context.
In evacuation scenarios, assuming evacuees' potential location before a hazard situation is an in... more In evacuation scenarios, assuming evacuees' potential location before a hazard situation is an initial step for any simulation model. This initial step is crucial in analysing evacuation in urban open spaces, which is a less controllable environment than enclosed spaces, such as analysing evacuation inside buildings. There are problems with conventional models dealing with evacuation in urban spaces.
Abstract Land use distribution represents a major sustainable indicator. It has a cause and effec... more Abstract Land use distribution represents a major sustainable indicator. It has a cause and effect on transportation systems, time, power, and energy consuming, regarding the location of source and destination for each daily trip. Consequential, it affects the environment and the sustainable development planes.
Abstract Peripheral edge patterns in liveable historic walled cities of Arab Mediterranean countr... more Abstract Peripheral edge patterns in liveable historic walled cities of Arab Mediterranean countries are the focus of this comparative analysis. Four cities are selected Cairo (Egypt), Damascus (Syria), Alexandria (Egypt), and Tripoli (Lebanon). Cairo and Damascus because they are major capitals located away from the Mediterranean Sea, and their walls still exist in relatively good condition; Alexandria and Tripoli because they are port cities in which the walls have been demolished with few traces remaining.
Traditionally, the analysis of historical sites depends heavily on researches that focused on the... more Traditionally, the analysis of historical sites depends heavily on researches that focused on the physical and social aspects of the sites. The main emphasis of such approaches was to analyze the architectural style and characters, social life and activities within the urban fabric, and to different extents, to examine other issues related to the environmental and physical conditions of buildings.