Salmo Ali
Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU), National Research University, Russia
 
Syrian Courtyard House: A Key Element of Architectural and Urban Identity
 
This study explores the important role of the traditional Syrian courtyard houses, in shaping the architectural and urban identity, of historical Syrian cities, that are located within and around the historical city walls, near citadels, such as Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Hama.

The architectural-urban entities of Syrian courtyard houses, are characterized by unique environmental, social, aesthetic, and chromatic features, that endow them with functional qualities. These features transform the courtyard house from a mere dwelling into an inner micro-public space, that meets the needs of large Syrian families in terms of comfort and usability.

Furthermore, the presence of the Syrian courtyard house, as the fundamental nucleus of residential activities in historic Syrian cities, simply led to the creation of urban open public spaces, such as squares, places of worship, and markets. Which gave the layout of historic city streets a distinctive character, marked by their winding, indirect, and enclosed entrances, which provided additional privacy, visual and environmental advantages. These architectural and urban planning features transformed Syria's historic cities as a whole into vibrant hubs, effectively enabled people to reconnect with an environment that meets their needs.

However, the specific architectural and urban features of the Syrian house, that played a major role in shaping the country's architectural and urban identity, have not been adequately discussed in the Syrian context, especially for post-war period. Revealing, analyzing and listing such features, will help us understand the interconnectedness and mutual interaction of architecture and urban planning for such cases. A proper comprehension of these general and specific characteristics, will contribute to reviving the essence of cultural identity that has been severely damaged by urban violations and war, resulting in the loss of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.