Decoding the Mediterranean Town

The complex, organic form of Mediterranean towns has been traced to a dynamic system of reproducing building codes.

1 minute read

December 26, 2008, 11:00 AM PST

This information was brought to light by Besim S. Hakim in his book Arabic-Islamic Cities: Building and Planning Principles.

"From his study of the treatise of Julian of Ascalon, but also of those of Muslim scholars around the Mediterranean, Besim S. Hakim was able to identify the underlying process that generates the complex morphology all towns of the Mediterranean have in common, and that so many have sought to imitate. This discovery gives us the opportunity not only to restore the life of those historic places, but also to employ it as a technology in order to grow sustainable towns out of suburban sprawl."

Thanks to Mathieu Helie

FULL STORY: Decoding paradise - The emergent form of Mediterranean towns

Sunday, December 21, 2008 in Emergent Urbanism

Architecture Europe Building Codes Emergence Besim S. Hakim Mediterranean Urbanism View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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