Urban and Tourism Development Projects for Cities Citadels (Aleppo and Erbil)

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1 Urban and Tourism Development Projects for Cities Citadels (Aleppo and Erbil) Omar Khasro Akram 1 and Sumarni Ismail 2 Daniel José Franco 3 1 Master Science in Architecture at Faculty of Design And Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. 2 Lecturerat Faculty of Design And Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. 3 PhD in Computer Networks at Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Abstract This research addresses the points present in the creation of a theoretical framework about the strategies adopted in the development of the Aleppo and Erbil Citadels. These particular citadels were chosen not just because of, according to the urban and cultural aspects, they have many shared points, but also because Aleppo s Citadel is consideredanuniversal paradigm of which many positives aspects are present in the development strategy. It is focused the comparison of these points with the ones adopted by Erbil s Citadel, identifying the positive and negative aspects in a way to achieve an optimal urban development strategy for City Citadels. Keywords: Erbil City, Erbil Citadel, Aleppo City, Aleppo Citadel, Tourism, Heritage. Figure 1 - Aleppo's citadel from the outside Figure 2 - Erbil's citadel from the outside Introduction Tourism is considered, in many countries, the most important foundation upon the national income. The concept of tourism is to move from one place to another in order to learn and enjoy the different sites, including inside and outside tourism. It is divided according to the tourism product quality to recreational tourism, cultural, religious and therapeutic, and various types of tourism based on several factors, including the tourism product and human resources management, finance and marketing. The Citadel is a mini-city within a city and is always located in the highest places of the land, because its main function is to protect and defend. Citadels contain all the elements of the city, like a court, which is for the governor of the Palace, as well as features like the market, a large courtyard, baths, sectors for housing and places of worship can be all found in Aleppo and Erbil Citadels and other citadels. The position may be different for each city, depending on the characteristics and typography of city. Selecting the cities of Aleppo and Erbil, and their citadels, as an example, which have big importance for tourism, they began to realize the importance of the relationship between tourism and architectural heritage sites of their citadels, in a way to show the culture of different civilizations and the 60

2 development of information through attendance by members of the various communities. The main similar features between these two citadels are: 1) Forming the central point of both cities, the urban growth occurred automatically around it; 2) Before the population increased and consequently the city expansion, both Citadels represented the entire cities; 3) Geographical features: both cities are sited in a central plain territory, located at the intersection of old trade routes; 4) Both City Citadels were formed as a result of the accumulation of several civilizations, since the roman era. As for the main difference between both Citadels, the Aleppo s is larger and oldest in comparison with Erbil s. Urban Development Aleppo s Citadel Aleppo s Citadel is located in the old city centre and is one of the greatest Citadels in the Arabic World. It was the bulwark of successive labours such as, the Hittites, Arameans, Seleucids, Romans, and Byzantines, which contain the oldest human settlements in the world and also connected to the old global trade routes, between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, being considered the most important commercial centres of the ancient world. Aleppo s Citadel was exposed to the Mongols invasion, led by Holako in 658 AH / 1260, responsible for the demolition of many of its landmarks. The Citadel was liberated after the victory of the Arabs against the Mongols in AynJalut. After this, the King Ashraf Qalawoon ordered the renovation of what was destroyed. In 803 AH / 1400 AD, the Tamerlane came and demolished the city and the citadel, which were, later on, restored again by the Mamluks that were seized by the Ottomans in the year 923 AH / Ibrahim Pasha, son of Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt, came in 1831 and ruled the city and the citadel until 1257 AH / 1840, being responsible for establishing military barracks, and making the citadel the seat of his soldiers. The citadel repairs and renovations are taking place, since 1950, by the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities, and the archaeological excavations conducted to learn about the history of this citadel before Islam. The citadel is surrounded by a double fence, in more than one section, which was ruined in many occasions and its still waiting for some restoration. It has also three stately towers, being the most prominent the high entrance tower and the tower of the former bridge entrance. At the opposite side, to the south, the huge third tower rises at the foot of the wall of trench-coated stone, created by Prince Mamluk (Jkm), which was, later on, renewed by the Sultan GhouriQansouh when it was embossed in 916 AH / The most important sections of the citadel, in it s history, dates back to King s Zahir Ghazi son, Salah al-din, which was the ruler of that era (1190). Between them we can identify, on the outside, the fort entrance and a wall built on the slope, creating a trench around it and on the inside, a mosque and a few palaces. Salah s wife became the Queen of Aleppo, living in one of the citadel s palaces and was the first to be buried. Urban Development Strategy Adopted by Aleppo s Citadel In 1999, the Organization of the Aga Khan, sponsors of arts and culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage and Kaplan and Wilson Karndt, prepared a projected with the aim to rehabilitate the citadel and to turn it into a city for pedestrians. This project also intended to repair some of the buildings and change it s use in line with tourism, and jobs, making them a point of attraction not just tourists but also for local people, creating a link between the citadel and the city. The steps adopted on the project can be summarized as: 1) Create external spaces for visitor to sit on, inside the citadel, in a way to rest and observe the old landmarks; 2) Rehabilitation and restoration of the eastern wall, making it thicker, and a creating a point of monitoring and protection of the citadel, the city and the Euphrates river; 3) Use of traditional markets, from Roman and Byzantine times, reopening them inside the citadel with the aim to sale traditional products to tourists and visitors; 61

3 4) Restoration and rehabilitation of the summer theatre, using it as a platform for lectures and tourist and visitors entertainment; 5) Rehabilitation of some existing mosques, such as the Abraham Mosque, allowing its usage again; 6) Restoration of Ibrahim Pasha barracks, built by the Egyptians in the Ottoman era, and turn them into a museum, using its first floor as a cafeteria. 3) Preservation of the urban fabric on the citadel s perimeter, during the repairs and restoration of heritage houses and palaces, according to their era, materials and design and re use the function as cafeterias or restaurants to serve tourists and visitors. Figure 3 Aleppo Citadel and it s surroundings Strategy for the Development of Urban-based Development in the Citadel s Fabric Perimeter (Aleppo) The citadel is considered the historical city centreit s significant of Aleppo s city. The strategy consists in the development of the city as whole, referring also to the adjacent neighbourhoods and recreational areas, in order to revive the ancient city program protocol and make them a touristic and cultural Syrian attraction. The Historic Cities Support for the Aga Khan Foundation for Culture program in cooperation with the German Agency Technical Cooperation (GTZ), 3002, have developed an urban development strategy for thefabric of the surrounding area of the citadel, consisting in these points: 1) Design of a major ring road around the citadel, intersecting with other roads distributed all over the city, in a way to provide easier access to the hill where the citadel is located; 2) Conversion of the axis that links the old citadel to the market, for the heritage area to pedestrians, distributing the axis by the traditional shops selling merchandise related to the city s heritage. 62 Figure 4 Citadel s link with the city and its integration with the surrounding urban fabric Note that the link between the citadel and the city, its integration with the surrounding urban fabric, the urban centre and the legislations that have been taken for the development of the citadel were considered correct procedures, in terms of maintaining the heritage environment and increasing the link to the city s citadel.the change of the circulation between traditional market and the citadel to the axis of pedestrians, has led to the preservation of the structure s fabric from degradation caused by the vehicles, giving greater access to visitors to visit the inherent culture heritage and buy goods from the market places. Criticism to the Development Strategy The restoration and rehabilitation of buildings and their reuse as cafeterias or restaurants for tourists, has given the opportunity for visitors to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere of heritage, not only at the level of tourism, but also at the level of the city local residents. It is also provided the possibility to run a business using these old buildings to generate

4 funds and economic power. Rehabilitating the museums and the summer theatre, the city will be apple to implement better recreational and cultural activities, attracting more and more visitors. is the same as the main use present in the citadel and it s buildings (The ancient city of Erbil). Figure 5 - Aleppo Citadel and it s surroundings Urban Development for the Erbil s Citadel Featuring the city of Erbil site, which mediates a large plain called the Plain of Erbil, the citadel has a great importance for the city. Being the capital of Iraq s summer, located in the junction of several important roads that links Iraqi Kurdistan to the centre, south and the entrance for the Kurdistan region of Iraq, makes Erbil s an important political location and the heart of that region. Erbil became a commercial centre for caravan routes during centuries, making the city an important population centre, when compared to other cities at the same time ceased to exist, and preventing its present name from extinction. Considering the Erbil s Citadel form, the oval core with an area around m 2 and a height of about 35m, made the city grow around it in the form of rings, initially structured from the citadel and penetrating the radial streets, the axis leading to the city centre and from the suburbs to the neighbour cities. The citadel s diversity of land use represented dwellings and government buildings that occupy the space located at the main gate on the south of the citadel and were used as official institutions, which appeared, later on, at the bottom of the citadel, making up the fabric of the new city of Erbil. These buildings can be regarded as a civic centre of the citadel, which was almost a complete city where it is possible to find markets, a mosque for prayers and a school called the School of Citadel. The citadel was the official residence of the city and it is important to mention that the land use, which began to be the current city of Erbil over the years, Figure 6 - Erbil Citadel and it s surroundings The Urban Development Strategy Adopted in the Development of Erbil s Citadel Figure 7 Erbil citadel top view UNESCO (United Nations Organization) has taken the action of preserving and considering the citadel, within the preservation areas and citadel population evacuation, while waiting for the development, under the Action Plan. The main objective is to keep the citadel stems from the historical and archaeological value. Specialists reports confirm the need to a total preservation, by the general maintenance of the citadel, and also noted to the necessity of partial preservation through the maintenance section of the residential zone, in a way to maintain the identity of the citadel, the importance of architectural and historical form, the importance of the definition of subsequent generations city and the fabric of urban as one of the oldest historical sites, which is why it is necessary to maintenance of the entire region, especially urbanization, despite the expensive costs and the difficulty of implementation. Although the importance of maintaining within the upper limit of the conditions, but it is possible rehabilitation policy adoption, as well as to 63

5 maintain after the preparation of a comprehensive study of the area to determine the form of the preservation and rehabilitation, where the archaeological sites and ancient buildings the impact of relatively less on the sites where they are located but this must be the creation of consistency the harmony between the archaeological heritage sites and buildings on the one hand and between modern buildings which commends according to the architectural concepts on the other hand and use the latest and best used concepts in cities and architecture planning in the maintenance and preservation of these sites, which must be consistent with the reality of the cities in which these sites and buildings are located and described economic, social and controls implemented by the institutions concerned for the maintenance of these sites of degradation and operate efficiently. SummedCitadel Development Strategy 1) Rehabilitation of the mosque; 2) Reuse the movement system to get easily to all touristic facilities inside the citadel; 3) Heritage buildings rehabilitation, such as the bathroom, and re-use as a museum; 4) Provide simple commercial areas to serve tourism as well as restaurants and cafes; 5) Preservation and rehabilitation of some of the residential character in the role of architectural heritage and increase the amount of 31%. Figure 8 Land usage scheme proposed inside the citadel The Impact of the Citadel in Perimeter the Urban Fabric Growth The construction density around the citadel and the decrease between the first and second ring roads characterized by mixed use, including administrative, commercial, industrial and recreational uses, according to the high density of the population and form the annular various uses, within the old centre of the city and its neighbouring areas to the symbolic remnants, refers to a form of reliance on the citadel as the main activities of the city centre unlike other accumulations may not necessarily find its dependence on the citadel as much reliance on the accumulation of the first ring of the old. Thus, the impact fades the farther from the citadel can study the most important uses of the land according to these categories: First Trade Zone The market construction, at the bottom of the citadel and at the southern gate. The beginning of appearing the commercial area in the city of Erbil, where, even today, still exists a trading centre featuring traditional local products and markets and where is the nucleus commercial centre in the city of Erbil, which was considered a strong contender for commercial area of the citadel, is also the emergence and development of the region trade below the citadel in the beginning of the growth and development of the city of Erbil, after they exhausted all the possibilities of expansion of the citadel. Second The Residential Area The Citadel has great impact on the city of Erbil, in terms of the style and forms of residential areas that appeared at the bottom of the citadel, forming a new structure for the city of Erbil, as the three new residential areas (Khanqah, Taajeel and Arab District) appeared. Third Civic Centre The Erbil citadel civilian centre with a range of government departments, which was the entrance to the citadel, has served the civic centre of the citadel (the city of Erbil) until the beginning of the century. With the expansion of the city, the complexity of the administrative and political affairs, in the need, emerged to create a new urban centre in the bottom west citadel, only 200 meters from the border, to replace the old centre. Fourth The Road Network Affected by the form of the road network in the city of Erbil, most notably the main streets, the structure of the citadel business district, since the beginning of the present century, began to grow and expand as 64

6 the emergence of new residential areas around the citadel, led to the opening of an annular 15 meters street width and a length of 1.5 km, surrounding the citadel and taking the Ellipse form. Based on this street, the road network of the city of Erbil began with rings of streets and other cyclic groups of radial streets, penetrating and linking the city to its neighbouring cities and towns. heritage character related do the citadel, in terms of materials and details; 2) Evacuation area surrounding the citadel and demolition of traditional shops which adjoins the citadel from slop side and abolished them to new markets 3) Conservation of open areas, providing exterior seats for visitor and tourists; 4) Construction of public transport, for the population, in the basement of the crypt inside the new market, create a movement of a node, connecting to the new marker and convert a node to the movement of public transport. Figure 9 - Erbil's Existing Land Use Plan Source: Ministry of Municipality, Slide 4 Urban Development Strategy In March of 2007, Dar Alhandasa for Consultative and Engineering Office, at the request of the Ministry of Municipal Local Government of the region of Kurdistan, put the design basis for the centre city of Erbil in report. Is spite of the many report aspects, which confirmed the preservation of historical value to the city and its identity, the analysis of the executing stages of the design shows: 1) Change of the traditional architectural style parts, surrounding the citadel, into moderns, through the conversion of the northern part (Al Mostawfi residential area) into a cultural entertainment centre, including some of the cultural buildings, like the Centre of the Arts and the Opera House, in addition to the public library of contemporary architectural style and a huge modern shopping complex, called market Nashtiman at the south of the citadel. This huge market, in terms of space, has as much area as the citadel and rises almost six floors above the ground, not including the underground floors, not carrying any Figure 10 - Proposed design of cultural centre in the area of Mustawfi, which located in north citadel Source: Dar Alhandasa for Consultative and Engineering Office Criticism to the Development Strategy It is clear that proposed urban development and implemented based on the idea of highlighting the citadel within the system of open spaces and isolated from the urban fabric of the city,evacuating space surrounding the citadel, from everyday life, to give the contemporary character of the buildings surrounding the citadel and clarify the following aspects: 1) The construction of a large commercial complex, like Nishtiman market, in a urban historic district fabric, in addition to the distinctive cultural entertainment centre, which is located at the northern part of the citadel, has changed the characteristics of the urban fabric surrounding the citadel of a cohesive fabric and highlights the different characteristics, to the fabric of a multiconstructive modes; 2) The development plan of the city of Erbil followed a pattern of urban villages, in 65

7 order to reduce population density from the city centre to the suburbs and, summarized that pattern to build residential complexes with full-service in the suburbs of the city, linked by a network of highway roads. This will lead to reduce the importance of the main node that is the citadel and the city that has grown on it s basis; 3) Find a public transport station in the new commercial complex, led to the node to make the intersection of roads and traffic gradually withdraw from the old centre of the citadel to a new complex and turning the citadel into constructive mode only; 4) The urban fabric loses its properties and heritage of the famous traditional handmade textile markets, made famous by the city of Erbil, which correspond to the historical and cultural depth of the citadel, and loses the urban character and heritage of the fabric around the citadel, which is one of the main factors to attract international tourism. Comparison Between Aleppo and Erbil Citadel s Development Strategies 1) The adoption of the urban integration strategy between the citadel and the city in development, in the case of Aleppo, strengthen the linkage between them and confirm the continuity of urban life in the citadel, even without the tourism season. Through the circular road surrounding,which emphasizes the role as urban,are essential to the growth of the city.the loops that appeared in the city of Erbil grew automatically because of the existence of the citadel. 2) Confirm urban development in the city of Aleppo and parts of the urban area around the citadel, at all levels (part-whole), while the development plan in the city of Erbil is working to develop urban parts surrounding the citadel, without the announcement of the citadel s development strategy proposal, and the development process is taking place each part separately. 3) Confirm the presence of open spaces and seating areas inside Aleppo s citadel. In Erbil it has been designed outside the citadel and around it. This confirms to make 66 Erbil Citadel as a constructive mode seen from the outside and this is what confirms the development of policy and the exact opposite in Aleppo as places to sit located inside the citadel to make people more linked to the citadel; 4) Preservation and rehabilitation of heritage buildings and houses within citadel that suitable within tourism events, while maintaining and rehabilitate the Erbil citadel on small percentage of heritage building policy; 5) Confirm the preservation of the old urban fabric heritage, around Aleppo s citadel, putting legislations and regulations to build any building, in order to prevent the maximum high around the citadel, to preserve the dominance of the citadel according to height and size, in contrast to the development s policy of the area around Erbil s citadel, where they were removing a large part of the urban fabric to build an enormous commercial complex, almost as high as the citadel itself. Abstract Theoretical Framework for the Optimal Development Strategy of Erbil s Citadel It is possible do classify two different levels: First Citadel level: a) Cultural: -Citadel regarded as historical and cultural value b) Social: -Revive the social structure of the citadel, through the creation of opportunities to achieve continuity of works c) Economical: -Economic development and rehabilitation of buildings, to attract local and international tourism d) Constructional: -Improve the services and infrastructure; -Rebuild the deterioration of the fabric; -Rehabilitation of buildings and maintenance of mosques, public and heritage and historic buildings; -Reorganize the movement system to link its architectural and urban;

8 -Emphasis on pedestrian traffic to protect buildings and work to support tourism. Second Citadel s surrounding fabric a) Cultural: -Considered the city of cultural cities and the lack of change and cultural landmarks; -Improve the cultural level of the city and strengthening the role of the community in preserving the cultural attractions in the city; -Preservation of cultural heritage and industries and heritage crafts. b) Social: -Social support interaction c) Economical: -Encourage tourism and recreational use while maintaining the residential use; -Provide job opportunities in addition to the socio-cultural heritage crafts. d) Constructional: -Maintain the pattern of the city and urban fabric as content of the citadel; -Integration in the movement of pedestrian system between the citadel and around it(by linking the citadel in ways to the of pedestrians and vehicles movement and also converting some areas into pedestrian only); -Exploitation of land available in the external spaces. Conclusions 1.Citadels are considered one of the historic landmarks known as the identity of the city's history, as in Aleppo and Erbil Citadel.These citadels contributed to the defensive nature of its structure and structural rigidity in its continued existence. Like a museum tells us thehistory, naturally buildings contain the history of civilization. 2.The position of the citadelcontributes to the city because of its impact. Selecting Erbil s citadel as an example, being a central site, the city urban fabric grows according to the topographical potential around the citadel and become the urban centre of the city. 3. The development strategy requires a comprehensive vision of the cultural and historical values in addition to the reality of the situation and the age requirements. This can be achieved by taking advantage of the experiences of others, like specialists andcontribution of several competent actors, including academic and professional as well as those responsible. 4.The urban development strategy includes: social, economical and cultural. The construction side considers more factors in changing urban characteristics of the city and other contents. 5. The urban development strategy is based on maintaining and rehabilitate the citadel and take advantage of its heritage buildings, re-used for other functions that suit the historical and heritage status of the building present in the surrounding fabric and the level of re-integration with the citadel, highlighting its role in the formation. References Conservation and Rehabilitation Master Plan for Historic Town of Erbil, Chapter 6, by consultancy for conservation / building conservation services / Koruma, Araştirma VE Danişma KAD, UK Office,2010, -21Ernst J. Grube, James Dickie, Oleg Grabar, and Eleanor Sims Architecture of the Islamic World, its History and Social Meaning,1978, London (50-54). Gonnella, Julia: The Citadel of Aleppo, The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Switzerland, Geneva, The second edition, GTZ: Urban Development in the Old Cities of Allepo, Syria, printed by Gutendruck, Berlin, Reicher, Christa Intercultural Dialogue Through Spatial Planning:University of Dortmund, Yaqoobi, D., Michelmore, D., &Tawfiq, R. (2012). Highlights of Erbil Citadel. Erbil: High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization. Kurdistan General Board of Tourism. (2013).Tourism Statistics. fromhttp://kurdistantour.net/site/about/8/ Ministry of Municipalities (2013). Erbil City Centre; Draft Master Plan (Power Point Slides). 67

9 Arabic References Kamouna, Haider: "Preserve the Architectural Heritage in the Cities of Kurdistan (Erbil Citadel) as a Case Study" episode second, published on the website: Dar Al Handsa Consultative: The Main Design of the City of Erbil, the final stage, the Ministry of Municipal, Mayor of Erbil, the first Municipal Aga Khan: Urban Study of the Area Around the Citadel of Aleppo, a project to revive the new city, Jumaili, Mahmoud SaadKhudair: Ecological Tourism and Architecture, PhD Thesis / Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering / University of Baghdad, NarainRiadRauf: The Tole of Tourism in the Development of the Urban Environment, Master / Department of Architecture at the University of Nahrin Dr.Emad Al Saleh, Organizational Policies to Deal with the Architectural Heritage. Policy in the Upgrading of the Old City of Aleppo, a Target for Overall Development - Aleppo University - Faculty of Architecture Engineering 68