Human-Centric Planning of Traditional Islamic Settlements: A Space Syntax Study of Itchan Kala, Khiva

Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan, exemplifies the enduring effectiveness of Islamic urban planning principles. The study reveals that its spatial organization harmoniously balances communal interaction and seclusion through a compact yet hierarchically layered structure. Key findings include a highly integrated main market street anchored by the Juma Masjid, promoting commerce and worship, while residential quarters offer low visibility and high controllability for privacy. Madrasas, now museums, serve as transitional zones between public and private realms. The research employed axial and visibility graph analysis (VGA) at global and local scales to assess visibility, integration, and controllability, demonstrating the city's resilience across generations and socio-political transitions. Itchan Kala serves as a timeless model for human-centered, sustainable urban development.

Asif, N., Yusof, Z. B., Azmin, A. K., Abdullah, F., & Sanusi, A. N. Z. (2025). HUMAN-CENTRIC PLANNING OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SETTLEMENTS: A SPACE SYNTAX STUDY OF ITCHAN KALA, KHIVA. Planning Malaysia, 23. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i39.1951