The Conservation of New Gourna Village According to Hassan Fathy's Philosophy and Ideas (original) (raw)
Related papers
The History of Efforts to save the New Gourna for Hassan Fathy towards the Restoration Project 2021
Engineering Research Journal, 2022
The project of the New Gourna by Hassan Fathy in Egypt (1946-1952) considered as an outstanding example of sustainable human settlement and appropriate use of technology in architecture and planning, it also inspired a new generation of architects and planners worldwide through an integration of vernacular technology with modern architectural principles. But through decades of lack of maintenance and neglect, the New Gourna faced severe structural problems and demolishes. This paper focused on the series of efforts that had been done to reach the real project of Safeguard Hassan Fathy architectural legacy in New Gourna 2021, with the proposed work plan of conservation and reuse the heritage public buildings of New Gourna, with a comprehensive sustainable solution to the main problem that threatens the project which is the underground water. The study suggested that a maintenance plan must be established for the new system of the underground water, to avoid any leaking or plugging of the connecting pipes that could affect the level of water under the foundations. The restored buildings also must have a regular maintenance plan, and also must be reused and engaged with the community needs to encourage them to safeguard the heritage buildings and stop sabotaging them.
2014
(Accepted for publication) Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2014): “The World Heritage Centre’s approaches to the conservation of New Gourna Village, and the assessment of its authenticity and integrity”, Alexandria Engineering Journal. Abstract Located inside one of the World Heritage Sites in Egypt, New Gourna Village has never been recognized as an element contributing to the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. The recognition of the village as a contributing element is reliant on the successful assessment of its authenticity and integrity. Responding to the dramatically declining integrity of the village, the World Heritage Centre has carried out an architectural study to guide the potential conservation works in the property. The study has recommended that a group of objectives as well as two approaches to the conservation of the village should be adopted. One of these two approaches has been concerned with the conservation of the village according to the architect’s original intentions and principles. The previous approach can be called the principles-based approach. The main aim of this study was to examine the agreement of the World Heritage Centre’s objectives and their proposed principles-based approach to the conservation of the village with the aim to improve its chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The study approached the previous aim by assessing, by means of a proposed methodology; the level of significance, authenticity and integrity of the property. Based on the previous assessment, a list of conservation interventions was proposed to improve the property’s chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. Finally, the World Heritage Centre’s recommended approaches and objectives were examined against the previous proposed conservation interventions. The findings indicated the possibility to adopt the principles-based approach to the conservation of New Gourna Village, as well as the other World Heritage Centre’s objectives, without limiting the property’s chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The study recommends carrying out further studies concerning the identification of the architect’s philosophy and architectural principles that should be the key reference of all the potential conservation interventions in the village.
Old Gourna: Redefining Sustainability in Vernacular Architecture/Urbanism
Old Gourna or, what remains of it, is a phantom village existing on the Theban hill amid the archaeological sites of Luxor Necropolis. Nevertheless, its old vernacular houses were designed and constructed in order to be sustainable and to subsist through hundreds of years. The indigenous inhabitants of Old Gourna village were relocated, after several attempts, by a governmental decision in order to protect the ancient Egyptian tombs. In 1960s, a first group of residents were evicted -after a strong resistance- to the New Gourna that was designed by Hassan Fathi. In 2009, the rest of the inhabitants were moved by force to another New Gourna, near Al-Taref village, that was built by the government. The two New Gournas were primarily both rejected by the Old Gourniis despite being completely different in all aspects. By comparing the three Gournas, this paper aims to demonstrate the particularity of Old Gourna, especially when it comes to vernacular architectural sustainability. It also conducts a comprehensive survey concerning the architectural/urban advantages and disadvantages of each one of three villages.
A Project to Safeguard an Abandoned Heritage: The Revitalization of Golea (Algeria
This paper presents a promising experience of revitalizing the historic village of Golea in Algeria. This village witnesses continuous deterioration and a social shift due to the migration of its local population. The objectives of this project were to develop a comprehensive approach and implementation strategy that would lead to the economic and social revitalization and insuring a sustainable cultural development through the maintenance of the city components. The role of heritage and mountain tourism, their implications for urban conservation and heritage, as an essential element of sustainable development, will be discussed. The methodology approach is based on a thorough analysis of the process concerning this collective product. There will be an investigation through the different steps from the project definition to its design. This project for Golea as a source of lessons for contemporary architectural design is calling other similar projects claimed by the local community.
2018
Despite its location inside the World Heritage Site in Luxor, New Gourna Village has never been recognized as one of the elements that contribute to the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value. In order to consider New Gourna among the World Heritage Site's contributing elements, it should enjoy an Outstanding Universal Value and should also satisfy the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the possibility to recognize New Gourna as one of the elements that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor. The previous aim was achieved by evaluating the level of significance of the heritage values that New Gourna enjoys, as well as their authenticity and integrity, using a proposed methodology. According to this methodology, the level of significance of the values that New Gourna enjoys was evaluated against a list of criteria that were largely derived from the world heritage criteria. Another methodology, which was based on the Operational Guidelines' definitions of authenticity and integrity, was used to evaluate the authenticity and integrity of the village. The findings revealed the significant contribution of New Gourna towards the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value despite the decline of the village's authenticity and integrity. The continuous demolition of the buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village and the replacement of these buildings by modern concrete buildings represent the major aspect that emphasizes the decline of the authenticity of New Gourna. On the other hand, the decline of the physical condition of the few remaining earthen buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village is the main aspect that emphasizes the decline of the village's integrity. The study suggests revising the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor so as to recognize New Gourna among its contributing elements and to undertake all the possible measures to preserve New Gourna.
Old Gourna: The complexity of vernacular architecture/urbanism and cultural heritage
The ruins of Old Gourna in Luxor amid the Theban Necropolis evoke a lot of questions. The complexity and success of its vernacular architecture/urbanism continue to perplex experts till today. After several attempts to relocate its residents, first at Hassan Fathi's new Gourna, then in the 2 nd New Gourna, Old Gourniis are still nostalgic about their old village. The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the authentic urban/architectural particularity and cultural heritage of the Old Gourna compared to the other two New Gournas. This will be achieved via the analyses of Urban Design Dimensions in relation to the social production of urban spaces in the 3 Gournas.
Assessment of Architectural Conservation in the Medina of Mahdia in the 21ST Century
International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR
The paper deals with the architectural conservation of the Medina of Mahdia in Tunisia in the 21st century. This millenary ancient Fatimid capital offers an example of urban heritage that continues to impose rougher debates about the uncertainty and the lack of its conservation, promotion and valorisation nowadays.The research examines multiple dimensions related to actual state of the case study, proceeded conservation projects and different actors’ points of view mainly local population and involved institutions. It aims to find out if the case study is recognised as valuable heritage, and how much did the proceeded projects succeeded in ensuring urban and architectural conservation. By assessing and criticising, experimentations are displayed, faults are revealed and thus more suggestions are announced to mend the degradation and improve future projects that will be initiated on built heritage in the case study or in other Medina of the country.
Revitalizing Golshan and Sharifieh caravanserais: a study in adaptive reuse and urban preservation
Springer, 2024
The inefficient urban textures often turn into hotspots of social anomalies, leading to depressed, insecure, and non-participatory spaces. The issue of preserving historic urban textures and their dynamic evolution is essential for sustainable urban development. This research delves into the potential for adaptive reuse of the Golshan and Sharifiye caravanserais in the Hamadan city in Iran. These historically valuable structures previously helped in the facilitation of trade and travel; now, they need regeneration. The research, therefore, aims to harness the tourism and functional capacity of the abandoned Sharifiye caravanserai by linking it with the more popular Golshan caravanserai. This link will prevent abandonment and the deterioration of the Sharifiye caravanserai through the creation of an in-between space since it revitalizes both sites. The study emphasizes preserving cultural heritage while at the same time accommodating modern amenities to meet present needs. Therefore, the proposed adaptive reuse method would focus on preserving historical integrity while enabling the building to have a contemporary use. The method then proposes the creation of a transitional zone that transits the historic fabric to modern interventions. The revitalization and reuse of these caravanserais should be able to attract traders, generate hospitable conditions for residents, and increase local income through the tourism generated and the commerce of handicrafts and traditional arts. Effective principles of adaptive reuse are needed to maintain stability in the structure and function of these buildings. The study concludes that a balanced and thoughtful adaptive reuse approach with in-between space can bring transformation in the abandoned space into a lively cultural hub that would contribute both towards economic and cultural development in Hamadan.
Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings in Jordan: The Case of Jasmine House-Jabal Al Wiebdeh
Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2021
Building conservation's significance has changed from preservation to being part of a broader strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability. Adaptive reuse of heritage building is a useful method to bring new meaning into a culture, revive heritage sites, which achieve its sustainability. Many of heritage conservation projects were applied due to the historical and symbolic significance they have. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the conservation of heritage buildings contributes to sustainable urban environment in Amman-Jordan. Through Shed the light on experiences of architects, they have been involved with the adaptive reuse of one of the heritage buildings (Jasmine House) in Jabal (Al-Wiebdeh) neighborhood, which was adapted into a cultural center. A qualitative methodology used depends on a field survey of the selected building, documenting its architectural features, furthermore, analyzing the used method of adaptation, as well as evaluating the impact of reutilizing heritage buildings on the level of urban development, socioeconomic level. Semi-structured interview was drawn from the architect who managed the adaptation process too.