Medina of Tunis

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Medina of Tunis from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Exploring the Hidden Dimension in the Islamic Architecture: The Medina of Tunis as a Study Case

  The Medina of Tunis embodies a hidden dimension where mythological, sacred, ritual, and legendary elements shape living spaces and practices. This study reveals how cosmogony, the imaginary, and hidden dimensions influence urban and architectural design, acting as mirrors reflecting worldviews. By focusing on auto-centric processes—where inhabitant practices and representation systems interact—the research uncovers an unsuspected facet of Islamic architecture's lived experiences. The approach combines field survey with analysis of symbolic and spatial relationships, offering a nuanced understanding of how these intangible forces structure urban landscapes.

  Moussa, M. B. (2025). Exploring the Hidden Dimension in the Islamic Architecture: The Medina of Tunis as a Study Case. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, XII(IV), 385–402. https://doi.org/10.51244/ijrsi.2025.12040037

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• 2. Impact of Jurisprudential Heritage in the Organisation of the Medina of Tunis

  The spatial organization of the Medina of Tunis has been significantly shaped by jurisprudential heritage rooted in Hanafi law. Research reveals that an 18th-century manuscript by Tunisian jurist Muhammad bin Ḥusayn bin Ibrahim al-Bārūdīal-Ḥanafī provided enduring solutions to property disputes and housing conflicts, fostering a unified construction system within the walled medina. This intellectual tradition not only standardized architectural forms and urban networks but also preserved neighborhood relationships over centuries. The study underscores how legal norms influenced the physical and social fabric of this historic city, offering insights into the interplay between jurisprudence and urban development in Islamic heritage contexts.

  Ben Ammar, M. (2024). 2. Impact of Jurisprudential Heritage in the Organisation of the Medina of Tunis. Tangible and Intangible Heritage in the Age of Globalisation, 27–46. https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0388.02

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• 7. The Medina of Tunis, a Heritage Model for Urban Sustainability

  The Medina of Tunis stands out as a model for urban sustainability, demonstrating how traditional heritage and morphology can enhance thermal comfort while preserving cultural significance. Safa Achour's study evaluates the medina's design and outdoor thermal conditions to provide actionable recommendations for urban planning. By integrating historical architecture with modern sustainability practices, this research offers a blueprint for balancing heritage conservation with social vitality in globalized urban landscapes.

  Achour, S. (2024). 7. The Medina of Tunis, a Heritage Model for Urban Sustainability. Urban Heritage and Sustainability in the Age of Globalisation, 143–162. https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0412.07

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• Urban Life Is Nothing If Not Theatrical: The Role of Art in the Regeneration of the Medina of Tunis City

  Artistic practices significantly influence urban development and regeneration, particularly in historical contexts. A study on the Medina of Tunis demonstrates that bottom-up social participation through art transforms public spaces and user experiences, shifting traditional static urban paradigms. The research highlights how artistic manifestations reshape perceptions, usage, and design of urban landscapes, serving as a necessary tool for heritage revitalization. By analyzing specific case studies within the Medina, the study reveals the dynamic interplay between art and urbanism, offering insights into sustainable regeneration strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  Ben Salem, S., Mseddi, A., & Simon, M. (2021). URBAN LIFE IS NOTHING IF NOT THEATRICAL: THE ROLE OF ART IN THE REGENERATION OF THE MEDINA OF TUNIS CITY. Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning, 30(1), 01–09. https://doi.org/10.53700/jrap3012021_1

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• The Sustainable Well-Being in the Medina of Tunis and Its Environmental Values

  The Medina of Tunis, a historic center of Muslim civilization, exemplifies sustainable urban planning through its architectural and environmental design. This study reveals that the city's built environment, from streets to courtyards, plays a crucial role in enhancing cultural and social values rooted in Islamic tradition. By analyzing the settlement structure and referencing 14th-century master builder Ibn Al-Rami's studies, researchers demonstrate how vernacular planning integrates sustainability with participatory design, offering insights into long-lasting urban well-being.

  Faleh, M. (2017). The Sustainable Well-Being in the Medina of Tunis and Its Environmental Values. Advanced Science Letters, 23(7), 6313–6317. https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2017.9259

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• The evolution of heritage atmospheres in the medina of Tunis since the 19th century

  A comparative analysis of the Medina of Tunis reveals significant shifts in sensory experiences and user perceptions since the 19th century. The study highlights how historical accounts contrast with contemporary observations, illustrating changes in atmospheric qualities that shape the heritage site's character. By integrating literary sources with fieldwork—including interviews and direct observation—the research captures evolving sensorial dimensions, from olfactory and auditory cues to spatial dynamics. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of heritage atmospheres, influenced by urban evolution, cultural practices, and visitor interactions.

  Mahroug, E., & Belakehal, A. (2016). The evolution of heritage atmospheres in the medina of Tunis since the 19th century. Islamic Heritage Architecture and Art, 1, 161–169. https://doi.org/10.2495/iha160141

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• Tourists’ walking rhythms: ‘doing’ the Tunis Medina, Tunisia

  Tourists' walking rhythms in the UNESCO-listed Medina of Tunis play a crucial role in shaping the city's urban experience. The study reveals that tourists engage in diverse, situation-dependent walking patterns—shifting between performances, body language, pauses, and visual interactions—that dynamically intersect with the medina's physical structure. Inspired by Lefebvre’s rhythmanalysis, this research combines mobile methodologies, interviews, and online comments to highlight how embodied movement contributes to the city's construction. Unlike traditional trajectory mapping, it emphasizes the qualitative, situational nature of tourist mobility in complex urban spaces.

  Sarmento, J. (2016). Tourists’ walking rhythms: ‘doing’ the Tunis Medina, Tunisia. Social & Cultural Geography, 18(3), 295–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2016.1174283

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• Interrogating the ‘implementation’ of international policies of urban conservation in the medina of Tunis

  Urban conservation policies in the Medina of Tunis reveal a complex interplay between international standards and local practices. The study highlights how French colonial-era interventions, particularly through the Mission de Tunisie (1881), shaped Tunisia's heritage legislation and institutions, blending imported knowledge with indigenous traditions like the Habous charitable trust. This dual approach has influenced the preservation and valuation of cultural heritage in Tunis, reflecting a long history from Punic and Roman times to modern conservation efforts. The research examines how these policies were implemented, offering insights into the challenges and synergies between global conservation frameworks and local governance.

  Nardella, B. M., & Cidre, E. (2015). Interrogating the ‘implementation’ of international policies of urban conservation in the medina of Tunis. Urban Heritage, Development and Sustainability, 57–79. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315728018-4

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