Publications
Reconstruction Approaches for Historical Buildings in the Old City of Aleppo
A context-specific and adaptive approach to reconstruction, balancing authenticity, sustainability, and cultural heritage preservation while addressing urban needs, is essential for maintaining Aleppo’s cultural identity post-war. The study reviews international best practices and criteria to provide recommendations for informed decision-making in the Ancient City of Aleppo's reconstruction efforts.
Urban Morphology as a Framework for Post-War Resilience and Recovery in Aleppo
Aleppo's post-war recovery should prioritize fabric-specific strategies over density metrics, leveraging urban morphology to guide context-sensitive reconstruction. The study reveals that the city comprises distinct historical layers with varied resilience capacities, necessitating tailored approaches such as preservation-sensitive rehabilitation and reinforcement of public nodes. By analyzing four neighborhoods—Jdaideh, Azizieh, Mohafaza, and Jabal Badro—using a qualitative historical-morphological method, researchers identified unique spatial characteristics and vulnerabilities. This framework proposes incremental upgrading and governance-aware phasing to address the complexities of rebuilding a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep temporal persistence and planning significance.
Beacon of Hope: Reviving the Ancient Bazaars of Aleppo
A groundbreaking initiative led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has successfully revitalized a significant portion of Aleppo's ancient bazaars, showcasing a model for preserving and rehabilitating heritage sites in conflict-affected regions. The project, detailed in 'Beacon of Hope: Reviving the Ancient Bazaars of Aleppo,' demonstrates how traditional urban planning, community engagement, and sustainable restoration techniques can restore historical integrity while fostering economic resilience. By integrating modern conservation practices with local craftsmanship, the initiative has not only safeguarded UNESCO-listed structures but also reanimated cultural and commercial vitality in one of Syria's most iconic landmarks.
The Importance of Using BIM in Documenting Historical Buildings in Syria after The Earthquake – Case study (Department of Immigration -Old City of Aleppo)
A new integrated Historical Building Information Modeling (HBIM) framework has been developed to address challenges in the restoration and management of historical buildings, particularly after the devastating earthquake that struck Syria on February 6, 2023. The proposed framework leverages BIM technology to enhance digital documentation, improve project management efficiency, and foster interoperability among stakeholders. By transitioning from traditional techniques to a more integrated and digitized approach, the study demonstrates significant potential for better information integration and communication, ultimately supporting the preservation of heritage assets like the Department of Immigration in the Old City of Aleppo.
Destruction Of Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflict
Conflict in Syria between 2011 and 2021 led to widespread destruction of cultural heritage, with distinct patterns observed across three phases: pre-IS (March 2011–May 2014), under IS control (June 2014–March 2017), and post-IS (April 2017–April 2021). The study highlights the targeting of iconic sites like the Ancient City of Aleppo, Palmyra, and archaeological sites in the Syrian Golan Heights, revealing deliberate and systematic damage during armed conflict. Methodologically, the research categorizes destruction by phase, emphasizing media-reported cases to illustrate broader trends in heritage loss.
Aleppo: A History by Ross Burns
Ross Burns' 'Aleppo: A History' offers a comprehensive exploration of Aleppo's historical and cultural significance, serving as a microcosm for broader Middle Eastern history. The book meticulously traces the city's evolution from Bronze and Iron eras to modern times, emphasizing its architectural heritage as a key link to global influences. It employs archaeological insights, such as the 'continuity of use' principle, to reconstruct historical narratives, including speculative reconstructions like a potential Greek-era temple beneath Aleppo's Great Mosque. Burns' work highlights the intersection of religious traditions and political dynamics in shaping Aleppo's identity, while also documenting the devastating impact of recent conflicts on its urban landscape.
Architectural Features of Aleppo City and Residential Areas
Aleppo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exhibits diverse architectural features shaped by its strategic role as a crossroads between East and West. The city's residential areas reflect this historical synthesis, blending multiple architectural styles that evolved over millennia due to its significance in trade, politics, religion, and culture. This study highlights how Aleppo's urban fabric encapsulates layers of civilization, serving as both a cultural meeting point and a key hub for trade exchanges between the eastern and western worlds.
Mapping Spatial Social Aspects of Urban Recovery in contested cities: A Case of The Historic Commercial Center of The Ancient City of Aleppo
A framework for post-conflict urban rehabilitation that prioritizes local aspirations and community engagement has been proposed to address the social dimensions of rebuilding heritage sites. The study, focusing on Aleppo's historic commercial center, reveals that current rehabilitation efforts often overlook social damage and fail to incorporate locals' needs. Through onsite field observations, interviews with shop owners and residents (including those in diaspora), and an online questionnaire survey conducted between 2020 and 2021, the research highlights the necessity of inclusive decision-making processes. This approach aims to balance physical reconstruction with social recovery, ensuring that rehabilitation efforts reflect the vision and identity of affected communities.
Post-Conflict reconstruction, forced migration & community engagement: the case of Aleppo, Syria
A top-down governmental approach to post-conflict reconstruction of the Ancient City of Aleppo fails to foster reconciliation and social cohesion. Empirical data from surveys with Syrians and Iraqis reveal that sustainable heritage reconstruction requires a bottom-up, participatory model that engages all societal members. This approach could serve as a unifying force for displaced people's reintegration and future stability, contrasting with the current top-down methods.
The Middle East after the Fall of Ur
A critical gap in the historical record of Upper Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Levant during the Middle Bronze Age (first two centuries of the second millennium BCE) has been partially illuminated by a rare convergence of textual and archaeological evidence. While this period is often considered a 'dark age' due to the scarcity of preserved texts, new insights emerge from the Mari royal archive (ca. 1805–1761 BCE), the largest ancient Near Eastern archive discovered, alongside other regional archives such as those from Terqa, Šehna, and Alalakh. These sources reveal a dynamic era marked by competing city-states, nomadic influences, and complex diplomatic relations among major powers like Mari, Aleppo, Babylon, and Elam. The study highlights the coexistence of Mesopotamian cuneiform civilization with West Semitic (Amorite) culture, offering a nuanced understanding of political struggles, state administration, and long-distance trade networks on the eve of Hittite expansion around 1600 BCE.
The Souqs of Aleppo, Syria
The souqs of Aleppo, central to the city's economic and cultural identity for millennia, have suffered significant damage due to prolonged armed conflict. This study highlights their historical role in shaping Aleppo’s architecture and socio-economic fabric, tracing their evolution from ancient trade hubs to modern marketplaces like Al-Saqatiyya. It emphasizes the urgent need for a structured rehabilitation policy that integrates local community participation to ensure sustainable recovery and revitalization of these heritage sites.
Aleppine Houses: Designs and Decorated Interiors during the Ottoman Era
During the Ottoman era (1516–1918), Aleppine houses in Syria featured opulent polychrome wooden decorations that reflected the wealth, social status, and intellectual prowess of their owners. These intricate panels, crafted by skilled artisans, blended local traditions with broader Ottoman influences. A study documenting these designs between 2006 and 2010 reveals how urban expansion under Ottoman rule transformed Aleppo's architecture, expanding beyond its historic walls to accommodate growing populations while integrating commercial, religious, and residential spaces. However, much of this heritage has been devastated since 2012 due to armed conflict, with significant losses in both ancient and modern parts of the city. The research highlights the precarious state of Aleppine houses today, emphasizing the urgent need for preservation efforts.
Decision-Making Methodology Between Revitalisation and Rehabilitation of World Heritage City Centers. Case Study: The Ancient City of Aleppo (Syria)
A validated decision-making methodology (DMT) for post-conflict revitalization of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, demonstrated through the rehabilitation of Aleppo's historic souk, offers a replicable framework to guide conservation efforts. The approach integrates 3D scanning and damage assessment data to inform cost-effective, contextually appropriate interventions that restore functionality while preserving cultural integrity. This DMT bridges scientific evidence with practical implementation, providing actionable tools for stakeholders in conflict-affected heritage conservation.
Perspectives for Aleppo: towards an integrated approach for ‘post- conflict’ reconstruction of cultural heritage
Reconstruction of war-damaged historic cities, such as Aleppo, must prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage to restore collective memory and identity, preventing psychological trauma. The study highlights that without a value-based approach integrating theoretical and practical frameworks, post-conflict reconstruction risks further damage to urban integrity and historical identity. It proposes an integrated framework merging traditional rebuilding methods with insights from case studies, emphasizing the need for balanced assessment to avoid irreversible loss of Syria's cultural heritage.
The River Qoueiq and Its Importance for Ebla (Syria) at the Time of the Archives (XXIV Cent. BC): Some Observation
New evidence links the river Qoueiq, flowing near Aleppo, to ancient cities mentioned in Ebla's 24th-century BC archives. Tells along its valley, including Tell Tuqan and Tell Hader, are likely candidates for identifying NIrar, a city referenced in Ebla texts. This study builds on surveys from the 1970s but relies on archival analysis rather than new excavations. It highlights the river's historical significance while noting that precise identifications remain tentative.
The Centrality of Aleppo and its Environs
Aleppo's enduring significance as a central place in the ancient Middle East, unlike other major cities of its time, is attributed to its strategic topographic location and multifunctional roles in trade, exchange, craft production, and cult activity. This study employs spatial statistics and extends the theoretical concept of 'central place' to reconstruct Aleppo's historical importance. By analyzing its relationship with surrounding settlements, researchers demonstrate that Aleppo maintained its dominance through a combination of local, regional, and supra-regional functions, ensuring its long-lasting relevance in economic and cultural networks.
Travels in Syria and the Holy Land
John Lewis Burckhardt's 'Travels in Syria and the Holy Land' offers a unique and detailed account of Arabian life, culture, and architecture during the early 19th century. The publication is notable for its vivid descriptions of the ancient city of Petra, particularly its Nabataean tombs, which provide invaluable insights into the architectural and cultural heritage of the region. Burckhardt's two-year sojourn in Aleppo, where he immersed himself in Arabic studies and Islamic law to prepare for his travels, allowed him to gain firsthand knowledge and perspective. His observations, while constrained by the need to avoid suspicion as a non-Muslim, contribute significantly to our understanding of the historical and cultural landscape of Syria and the Holy Land during this period.
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