Islamic Urban Heritage: Blight or Blessing?

Islamic urban heritage, once seen as a blight hindering modern city growth, can instead serve as a catalyst for sustainable urban regeneration. A study examining the Medina of Tunis and the Casbah of Algiers demonstrates that preserving these historic Islamic urban cores strengthens cultural identity while fostering economic and social development. The research argues that rather than demolishing these areas to accommodate globalization trends, their conservation can create hybrid environments that balance tradition with modernity. By treating Islamic heritage as an asset, cities can maintain strong roots in their past while adapting to contemporary needs, ensuring the survival of historic urban centers for future generations.

BOUSSAA, D. (2016). ISLAMIC URBAN HERITAGE: BLIGHT OR BLESSING? Islamic Heritage Architecture, 66–76. https://doi.org/10.2495/ha-v1-n3-344-354/008