الفهرس 
LNTRODUCT:ION & METHODOLOGYOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 240 |  |  |
| | | from | 240 | | |
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to reach an approach that may be integrated
in upgrading projects of historic sites. To select the appropriate integrated approach, the
research develops a conceptual framework
First, the research suggests a conservation-oriented strategy to safeguard the integrity and
authenticity of historic sites and to achieve continuity in the built environmental sphere.
Countries conserve their cultural built heritage for their collective cultural values, aesthetic
qualities and economic importance as invaluable assets. The charter of Venice (1964) considered
the conservation of monuments and historic sites a universal responsibility shared by all human
beings and not confined to the regions where they exist. The introduction of the concept of the
world cultural heritage adds a universal dimension to the importance of historic sites. Once a
site is included in the World Heritage List, it is expected that the values and conditions, which
give it a universal significance, will be maintained. Unfortunately, most of the historic sites are
in a bad state of deterioration and socio-cultural disruption. Upgrading projects are generally
concerned with improving the built environments, especially the deteriorating ones. Upgrading of
deteriorating historic sites should be carried out in a way that safeguards their integrity and
authenticity.
Second, the research aims at developing an approach that conserves the character for which any
historic site under study achieves its universal appreciation. character is a major contributor to
cultural continuity in a specific tradition or heritage. Therefore, conserving the character of the
cultural built heritage is a necessity to achieve cultural continuity. Merging old and new
architecture is a successful agreed-on technique to oonserve the traditional character and achieve
continuity through change. The integrated approach of this research embodies both architectural and
urban design tools to conserve the cbaracter of historic areas and achieve a successful balance
between old and new buildings. Continuity in architectural style and urban fabric in historic sites
is attributed to gradual change and cohesion between new and existing buildings. This continuity
reflects the positive role of character in achieving vitality in their contemporary fabrics as
stated in the second hypothesis of the research.
Third, Islamic Cairo is selected as a case study to track the theoretical discussion of the
research and to examine its hypotheses. The uniqueness of Islamic Cairo was locally and universally
recognized and it was included in the World Heritage List as early as 1979. Moreover, Islamic
Cairo demonstrates a unique example of a city that was able throughout its history to integrate new
imported architectural features in its body resulting in a distinctive coherent style.
Islamic architecture is revisited through an analytical reading for available literature in an
attempt to reach a better understanding of its nature and major contributors to its character.
Common characteristics are thoroughly discussed such as flexibility in spatial organization,
sophisticated interrelationship between decorative and architectural elements and successful
response to existing climatic conditions. selectivity, vitality and integration are major
principles that contribute to Islamic architecture.
After investigating characteristics of Islamic architecture, the next step is to formulate the main
features of the conceptual framework leading to the integrated approach for intervention strategy.
This integrated approach adopts a conservation-oriented .strategy that employs character as an
aesthetic control technique to integrate new buildings within the traditional fabric of historic
sites. In the case of Islamic Cairo, it relies on characteristics and principles of Islamic
architecture and benefits from literature written by scholars to analyze previous experiences in
different intervention projects.
The integrated approach should be able to conserve socio-cultural aspects that positively
contribute to character such as the vitality principle of Islamic architecture, reflected in its
response to its environmental context. The socio cultural disruption caused by the coincidence of
colonialism and modernization should be reconciled and public awareness of the cultural importance
ofhistoric site should be increased.
As for conserving architectural character, new buildings should apply the rule that old monuments
followed: explicating new architecture representative of its period on one band and harmonizing
with the existing architecture on the other. Direct copying of traditional architectural styles and
decorative elements is to be avoided as it endangers the authenticity of both new and old buildings
of the whole historic setting.
The interactivity of components contributing to character stated in the third hypothesis of the
dissertation . is thoroughly examined. This interactivity of components combined with the awareness
of environmental impact principles resulted in Islamic built cultural heritage that successfully
responded to their environmental contexts. Therefore, the research suggests that these interactive
components be benefited from in conservation-oriented upgrading projects to positively respond to
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) criteria Through studying the referred to interactivity,
positive environmental impacts are extracted and used to justify the socio-economic feasibility of
built heritage conservation oriented projects within the framework of benefit-cost analyses.
The benefit-cost ratio analysis used to evaluate public projects is suggested by the research to
economically justify the choice of conservation-oriented interventions, which are classified as
cultural development projects. Increasing sales, offering employment opportunities as well as
reduction in pollution, health hazards and natural resource consumption represent benefits enjoyed
by the local residents.
In order to demonstrate the social feasibility of conservation-oriented projects, the research
emphasizes positive socio-cultural environmental impacts such as revitalizing traditional
handicrafts, improving social activities, strengthening social ties and increasing the public
awareness of the value of historic sites.
The mutual influence of. architectural character and socio-cultural system is emphasized.
Traditional handicrafts are introduced J:ll jor contributors to both artistic quality of the city
and socio-cultural system of the city. Revitalizing them is expected to have a major positive
impact on the socio-economic cultural system. The contribution of wealthy members of the
traditional society to the architecture of the city is emphasized. Attracting wealthier economic
strata capable of maintaining their upgraded sites is an expected desired positive social impact of
conservation-oriented upgrading projects.