Especially relevant in light of current world events, this essay examines Byzantine and Islamic building codes that have provided the legal andcultural foundations of Mediterranean urbanism.
"The essence of the traditional system prevalent in the Mediterranean region is found in the ethics and values related to habitat. Based on textual and built evidence, this is a system that has its roots in ancient Near East civilizations... There are a number of codes related to the issues covered by Julian and Ibn al-Imam. I have selected four codes that tended to be universal in their impact in shaping the built form of traditional towns in the Mediterranean. Local customary practice determined the final form and character of a place."
Thanks to Laurence Aurbach
FULL STORY: Learning from Traditional Mediterranean Codes
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