Changing urban identity and character in Libyan historical cities: a case study of Tripoli

Alakhal, Almabrok (2025) Changing urban identity and character in Libyan historical cities: a case study of Tripoli. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the dynamic transformation of traditional Arabic-Islamic cities' identity, with a focus on Tripoli, Libya. Since the mid-twentieth century, globalisation's influence on urban form and function has yielded both advancements and disruptions that reshape culture, identity, and human activity. Increased urban migration has brought significant social, economic, and cultural changes in cities, often leading to urban decay due to the degradation of the built environment and urban fabric.

This thesis offers a holistic framework to better understand the factors impacting the identity of traditional Arabic-Islamic cities through the case of Tripoli. It employs policy analysis, expert interviews, resident input, and observations to identify key contributors to the evolution of urban form and identity in historic Tripoli. These factors include socio-cultural influences, the built environment, economy, law, and decision-making processes. Most notably, migration-induced social changes and specific property-related legislation have shifted urban identity, leading to urban decay.

This study has produced, first, a theoretical contribution that extends conceptual understandings of urban decay in contexts of Arabic-Islamic cities. The largely Western-dominated literature often cites economic factors as the driving force behind urban decay; however, this study reveals that urban decay also stems from a range of other factors, including the law and decision-making. Secondly, this work offers practical insights for academics, university students, planners, architects, and urban designers working on urban development projects and urban regeneration.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 11 February 2025 UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Identity change, character, Libyan historical cities, old Tripoli city, Arabic-islamic cities, Migrant.
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-04 - planning (urban, rural and regional) CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-06 - cultural studies CAH20 - historical, philosophical and religious studies > CAH20-01 - history and archaeology > CAH20-01-02 - history of art, architecture and design CAH26 - geography, earth and environmental studies > CAH26-01 - geography, earth and environmental studies > CAH26-01-03 - human geography
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Louise Muldowney
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2025 10:57
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2025 10:57
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16189

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