Hisham Mortada - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Books by Hisham Mortada

Al-Ula Unearthed, 2020

Al-‘Ula is a small town northwest of Saudi Arabia, extremely rich in nature, history, and traditi... more Al-‘Ula is a small town northwest of Saudi Arabia, extremely rich in nature, history, and traditional architecture. The breathtaking views of rock formations, sand dunes, and palm tree oases around al-‘Ula have been essential parts of its history and built environment. Along with Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO world heritage site in close proximity to Al-‘Ula, there are ruins of ancient kingdoms such as Dedan, Lihyan, Ma’in, and the Nabatean in addition to remains dating back to early Islamic eras and modern history. Although these ruins are sufficient enough to signify the historic, geographic, and natural importance of al-‘Ula, the town’s organic urban fabric exhibited in the narrow zigzagged alleys adds more fascination and mystery to it and its cultural background.Though al-‘Ula was deserted more than 40 years ago, its street network, gates, and buildings are still intact. Strolling through the zigzagged dark alleys sided by half-stone-half mud buildings is a unique experience that only exists in al-‘Ula. This book unearths the history, nature, and architecture of al-‘Ula, and will be of interest to people in the fields of urban history, architecture, sociology, anthropology, and Saudi heritage.

Benton Heights LLC, 2019

The Cul-de-sac is a unique urban element, especially in traditional settlements that feature comp... more The Cul-de-sac is a unique urban element, especially in traditional settlements that feature compact organic urban form. In addition to its countless social advantages, the cul-de-sac greatly contributes to humanizing harsh climatic conditions, the hot arid in particular. Though many urban historians and planners ascribe its origin to the old Muslim city, the cul-de-sac had been in existence for centuries in various parts of the world.

This book explores the social and environmental dimensions of the cul-de-sac using historic and contemporary examples from various geographic contexts. It also examines in detail the physical aspects of the cul-de-sac in old Muslim cities, as well as contemporary Western cities.

Papers by Hisham Mortada

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Heritage Research, 2022

Transition in the urban configuration of Arab cities has never been as radical and visible as it ... more Transition in the urban configuration of Arab cities has never been as radical and visible as it has been since the turn of the last century. The emergence of new cities near historical settlements of Arabia has spawned a series of developments in and around the old city precincts. New developments are based on advanced technology and conform to globally prevalent standards of city planning, superseding the vernacular arrangements based on traditional norms that guided so-called 'city planning'. Evidence to this fact are the extant Arab buildings present at the urban core of modern cities, which inform us about intricate spatial organization. Organization that subscribed to multiple norms such as, satisfying gender segregation and socialization, economic sustainability, and ensuring security and environmental coherence etc., within settlement compounds. Several participating factors achieved harmony in such an inclusive city—an organization that was challenged and apparently...

Al-Ghat is a small desert settlement in central Saudi Arabia. Its traditional urban and architect... more Al-Ghat is a small desert settlement in central Saudi Arabia. Its traditional urban and architectural characteristics reveal the ability of earlier societies to combat harsh desert conditions and create pleasant indoor and outdoor environments. This paper analytically discusses these characteristics. The analysis covers the urban form, open spaces and land uses. Architecturally, components of a typical traditional dwelling of al-Ghat are explained in terms of spatial usage, construction materials and techniques, and decoration. The explanation is also interrelated with local environmental and socio-cultural traits of al-Ghat. Though old al-Ghat has been abandoned by its inhabitants, the paper ends exploring the current public efforts of restoration.

For the last few decades, the urban and social fabric of the city of Jeddah, a major and most pop... more For the last few decades, the urban and social fabric of the city of Jeddah, a major and most populated city in Saudi Arabia, has been dominated by slums. It is estimated that the city consists of more than fifty slums scattered throughout the city. While many local urban planners and designers find it hard to comprehend the presence and continuous growth of these districts in the light of the various efforts made by the government to improve the urban and social quality in Saudi Arabia, these slums seem far away from being controlled or at least redeveloped. This paper analyses the history of Jeddah’s slums, their emergence, scale and urban and social characteristics. This is verified by a discussion of al-Sabeel, which is a main slum in Jeddah, and an examination of measures taken by Jeddah Municipality to deal with these physically and socially deteriorated areas. The paper also gives some insight on solutions implemented in international cases to improve slum conditions in Asia ...

For the last few decades, the urban and social fabric of the city of Jeddah, a major and one of t... more For the last few decades, the urban and social fabric of the city of Jeddah, a major and one of the most populated cities in Saudi Arabia, has been dominated by slums. It is estimated that the city consists of more than fifty slums scattered throughout the city. While many local urban planners and designers find it hard to comprehend the presence and continuous growth of these districts in the light of the various efforts made by the government to improve the urban and social quality in Saudi Arabia, these slums seem far away from being controlled or at least redeveloped. This paper analyses the history of Jeddah’s slums, their emergence, scale and urban and social characteristics. This is verified by a discussion of al-Sabeel, which is a main slum in Jeddah, and an examination of measures taken by Jeddah Municipality to deal with these physically and socially deteriorated areas. The paper also gives some insight on solutions implemented in international cases to improve slum condit...

Sustainable Development, 2016

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 2013

Dirasat Engineering Sciences, Feb 6, 2010

The attention paid by the tradition of Islam to the natural and urban environments is reflected i... more The attention paid by the tradition of Islam to the natural and urban environments is reflected in certain principles that are clearly found in the basic sources of this tradition, the Qur’an and sunnah. Other principles have grown within the traditional built environment of early Muslims. This paper analyses the traditional Islamic ideals concerning the natural and urban environments, As far as the natural environment, preservation, while utilisation of natural resources, is the principle in which Islam has defined the relationship between man and nature. Islam has set up a responsibility for man towards nature, This responsibili~ evolves from the role of man as a user of natural resources and a preserver of the natural balance as well, In regard to the urban environment, Shariah, the traditional Islamic law, views that planning and regulating the built environment should support morals and improvement of society, As urban planning decisions determine the shape of social life in th...