Comparison study of traditional and contemporary housing design with reference to Tripoli, Libya

Amer, AA

Abstract

Over the course of the last few decades, most developing countries, including Libya,
have experienced a rapid economic growth and associated increase in population.
This growth has led to a substantial increase in the implementation of contemporary
housing programmes and urbanisation in the form of new districts, mainly
influenced by western models, although the use of some traditional forms continues
in hybrid designs.
Traditional housing gains its name due to its close relationship between the
functional needs of the occupants, the culture, the climate, and other aspects of the
living environment. In contrast contemporary designs of houses have appeared only
recently in State development plans and projects, and have begun to show some
shortcomings in functionality. Thus, this study aims to investigate and understand
the reason for these shortcomings and to make recommendations for future housing
policies in the state.
The design of traditional and contemporary housing in Tripoli-Libya is analysed in
terms of suitability for cultural, social and climate conditions. This is explored
through contextual research based on a review of the literature, concentrating on the
development of housing design in Libya since 1885, including all the factors that
have influenced Libyan housing design.
The satisfaction level of the occupants living within both types of housing has been
explored in three representative case study areas in Tripoli. Residents' views on their
satisfaction with their house were sought through questionnaires. Interviews were
also conducted amongst government officials and design professional concerned
with housing design and implementation programmes to understand professional
opinion on the quality of traditional and contemporary housing.
The main conclusions drawn from the research emphasises the importance of social
and cultural factors, climate conditions, and local building materials, as they all play
an important role in designing any house and are important to the level of
satisfaction of users. Regardless of the advantages of the contemporary housing used
in the case study areas in terms of space and access for motor transport, most
respondents were dissatisfied with their new houses in terms of privacy, climate
condition, and building materials used in the construction. The research also
illustrates the danger of not properly considering all these factors may result in
dissatisfaction of users, and may lead them to alter or modify their houses. This may
lead to illegal and possibly unsafe modifications, or at least to unsatisfactory visual
appearance.
Finally, based on the study of both traditional and contemporary houses, the findings
of the empirical study, and the opinions of experts, a set of guidelines for future
house designs are presented. The guidelines inform and possibly assist designers,
planners, academics and Libyan public policy makers to achieve the goals of
providing new housing concepts and forms, which are appropriate to the
requirements of residents, and which do not detract nor constrain their social and
cultural activities.

Citation

Amer, A. Comparison study of traditional and contemporary housing design with reference to Tripoli, Libya. (Thesis). University of Salford, UK

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 2, 2009
• Additional Information: Additional Information : PhD supervisor: Professor Stephen R Curwell
• Award Date: Aug 1, 2007