Zuhair A. Abbas Nasar

Baghdad’s Tigris River, once a defining feature of the city’s identity, is now disconnected from the urban fabric due to fragmented land use, unplanned expansion, and environmental decline. This study addresses the lack of an integrated and sustainable planning framework for Baghdad’s riverfront – focusing specifically on the Al-Adhamiyah and Al-Kadhimiyah districts. Using a three-tier analytical framework (design, planning, and environmental strategies), the research conducts a comparative spatial analysis of both areas and draws from global precedents such as the Sabarmati Riverfront (India) and Kansas Riverfront Revitalization (USA). Findings show that while Al-Kadhimiyah enjoys stronger spatial integration and investment potential, Al-Adhamiyah faces challenges of disjointed land use and limited public space. Based on this, the study proposes interconnected green corridors and enhanced river transport systems as localized strategies to re-integrate the Tigris into Baghdad’s urban life. These interventions aim not only to restore ecological and social connectivity, but also to transform the riverfront into a dynamic and inclusive urban landscape.

This study examines the Tigris River in Baghdad as a central urban axis that has partially lost its integrative and functional role due to contemporary urban transformations, reduced accessibility, and limited spatial activation. By employing quantitative spatial analysis using Space Syntax methodology, selected central riverfront segments were analyzed based on integration, connectivity, and intelligibility indicators to reveal spatial differentiation between the Rusafa and Karkh riverbanks. The findings indicate a clear variation in spatial potential, with highly integrated areas suitable for accommodating large-scale urban events, while less connected zones are more appropriate for localized interventions. The study also highlights the critical role of intelligibility in enhancing spatial perception and user interaction with the riverfront environment. Integrating Space Syntax analysis with a scenographic approach provides an effective analytical framework for reactivating the Tigris River as a dynamic urban stage and for supporting future riverfront design strategies in historic Baghdad. .

Generative design is a contemporary approach urban areatilizes algorithms to automate the design process for a sustainable urban. It allows designers to test a wide range of alternatives and manage numerous variables and parameters that are difficult to manage manually. The traditional routine approach has a gap between practice and contemporary requirements, causing it to be inflexible for addressing complex urban problems, necessitating new design methods and tools to determine the relationships between previous practices and the current and secure sustainability. This chapter is aimed at qualitative measurements in both collecting and analyzing data. Data have been collected from the literature to study the shifting in approaches down to the contemporary methods in urban design, followed by the analysis of Kartal Sub-Center and Kartal-Pendik Waterfront that adopted the generative approach. Then, the transitions between the different design stages and the final output are identified to determine the sequences of the generative process. The results demonstrate that generative design effectively generates urban patterns at all stages, moving from deterministic to probabilistic in the urban pattern and integrating the updown and bottom-up concepts into a unified conceptual framework. From this review, the chapter concludes with a new methodology depending on the role of the generative design approach in creating sustainable, flexible, and livable urban cities.

Traditional holy cities, such as Karbala in Iraq, suffer from various challenges, namely socio-demographic transformations. This paper studies three important aspects. First, it investigates land use in the holy city of Karbala for religious, commercial and residential purposes. Secondly, it explores the different methods and materials that can be used to study this. Thirdly, it focuses on the symbolic aspect of the holy city of Karbala, the development of its historic city sectors and its demographic transformation. The paper concludes that the demographic changes are clearly related to political fluctuations in Iraq and the Middle East in general. Relocation and immigration to the city are the outcome of the recent events of violence in the country. This increase in population is directly affecting the standard of services in this city.

Abstract Purpose The objective of this paper is mainly to contribute to and activate, the process of saving and preserving the rich tangible and intangible heritage embraced in the historic center of Al-Najaf city. This was possible through examining the existing historic urban and architectural structures of the city, unveiling the major issues that are threatening both its traditional cultural and architectural identity, and finally analyzing similar examples that proved to be successful in addressing similar problems in order to derive possible strategies for saving, preserving and revitalizing the historical center of Al-Najaf Old City. Design/methodology/approach This paper addresses the major problems of heritage preservation in Al-Najaf City (750 AD), which is one of the historical and most sacred religious centers especially for Shia Muslims around the world. Despite its importance, the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the city is dramatically neglected and seriously threatened to be lost. Findings Preservation in Al-Najaf City is proposed as a sustainable development strategy. Top-down and bottom-up strategies are proposed not only for preserving the historic architectural and urban characteristics of the city but also for reviving its social and cultural activities and traditions. Originality/value The major issues addressed in this paper include the fragmentation and decentralization of the cohesive traditional urban fabric, the disruption of the spatial organization, the deformation of the traditional architectural characteristics of the city and its skyline, the discontinuity of facades' patterns, the destruction and demolition of historical buildings, the transformation of land use, and the regression of traditional social and cultural activities.

The holy city of Najaf is a shrine for Muslims from all over the world due to the presence of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUTh), and the Wadi Al-Salam, the Valley of Peace, cemetery, which includes shrines to many Prophets, righteous people, scholars and righteous martyrs. The Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH) is the most prominent monument, being the factor around which the urban fabric of the city was formed and established. The form of the cemetery has thus developed with the urban fabric of the city, and it includes many religious monuments that attract thousands of visitors and pilgrims from both within and outside of Iraq. Due to this cumulative growth of the cemetery and the irregularity of its axes of movement, the movement of visitors inside the cemetery has produced several design, planning, and security challenges as it has begun to affect the urban fabric of the city and the cemetery itself. Movement and visual interconnections between vital monuments of the religious figures have thus been restricted by the fabric of the Wadi al-Salam Cemetery at both micro and macro levels, generating the current research problem. Accordingly, this research aims to set to explore the possibility of restructuring the movement system of the Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery based on its monuments. The research assumes that the texture of the cemetery can resemble the fabric of the city in terms of adopting the presence of religious monuments to structure spaces. Consequently, the importance of monuments in terms of defining systems of pedestrian and vehicle movement within the fabric of the city was studied to determine the list of indicators classifying the possibilities provided by such monuments according to their historical and religious significance. With regard of the cemetery, several monuments of historical, religious, and contextual significance were then chosen as key points in the restructuring of the local movement systems. The overall research conclusion is that it is important to reconnect these monuments by developing an organic network of movement in order to preserve the graveyards and the historical fabric of the cemetery.

The research presented the problem as climatic conditions impact strongly on the inhabitants and adapting them is still impossible in most cases. So, it was necessary for a dweller to adapt to the region’s climatic and environmental conditions. By examining the specific problem that illustrates the extreme environmental conditions in the study area, an investigation has been conducted in detail to examine the ways to adapt to the current environmental conditions of the city. Therefore, the significant goalof this research was to study the methods used by the city’s inhabitants in dealing with the extreme environmental conditions in the past, and how they adapted to them. Moreover, search for means and methods to improve the environmental situation. The main research results are the use of climatic treatments in the design of the traditional houses, added a distinctive architectural form to it, such as the closing of the house from the outside and opening it to the inside, the use of Shanasheel, the focus onshade and the half-shade all together.

This study explores how designer interacts with the computational model. This research intends to demystify how “design knowledge” is obtained, used and processed in the age of computation. The paper shows how the computational modelling tools associated with performance-based parametric design help support design decisions during the initial design phases. Building Energy Performance (BEP) is chosen as the main context to develop a set of criteria for the iterative development, testing, evaluation, and validation of a prototype model. Therefore, as a practical work, the research explores a series of new energy simulation modelling techniques based on parametric design and multi optimization-based design. Specifically, it aims to explore, develop, and test new approaches in parametric modelling that can support energy simulation, using multi optimization, where designers can easily state the design parameters and use them in energy-performance-based design. The exploratory research approach is the main theme of this research. However, during the development of the research it was found that there is a need to blend this research design with the descriptive research approach. One of the key contributions of this study will be the development of a more direct link and useful methods for the translation of information into data inputs to support computational thinking and modelling processes.

This paper focuses on the dramatic transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of the city of Al-Najaf in Iraq, seeking new ways of seeing the possibilities of preserving and revitalizing the historical center of the city. In addition to being one of the most sacred centers for Shia Muslims, Al-Najaf has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Its architectural characteristics and urban structure not only reflect the history of the city but also stand as evidence of the most important junctures in Islamic history: the martyrdom of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, who is a central Islamic spiritual personality and the second most important figure after the Prophet Muhammad. Since its establishment in 750 AD, the formation of Al-Najaf has never separated from its sociopolitical context and Islamic principles, particularly Shia Muslims’ beliefs. Today, the city is a destination for more than million Shia Muslim pilgrims each year, and the number is rapidly increasing. However, as the city continues to develop, its architecture and unique urban structure transform dramatically. The cultural and architectural heritage of the city is seriously threatened. Several factors played a crucial role in the formation and the transformation of the city's specific architectural and urban structures. The most influential factors were mainly related to religion, environment, and politics. This paper introduces the main forces behind the transformation of the deep organizational structures of the architecture and urban fabric in Al-Najaf. The question of whether it is still possible to protect and preserve the remaining parts and revitalize the Old City center is also examined. The goal is to identify the major preservation issues and provide possible insights based on successful preservation experiences that address similar issues in different contexts.

This thesis explores the use of parametric design as a pedagogic tool to enhance architecture students’ understanding of environmental aspects of their studio design projects. Since the widespread introduction of digital tools in architectural education, practice and research, their implementation within architectural education have yet to change significantly in many educational institutions. Consequently, architectural pedagogy must be enhanced to adapt to the development of advanced digital skills, along with technical knowledge including structure, energy, and climate. These factors emphasise the need for a more comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the impacts and roles of parametric design and digital simulation technologies in architecture pedagogy and design studio education. Therefore, the main research aim was to examine these tools and propose a flexible functional pedagogical, as well as conceptual framework in architectural education. Building on existing work on digital tools and technologies, this thesis asks: to what extent do current digital tools support architectural students’ design knowledge, thinking and modelling in their decision-making, and how can advanced digital tools advance these processes? The use of advanced parametric simulation tools is phrased as ‘ParaSIM’ for the research, which represents the main study contribution. ParaSIM can be considered an interactive descriptive approach, by enhancing the interaction between architecture students and digital design and simulation tools to support students' design decision-making, mainly building-performance assessment, to assist in acquiring accurate and rapid feedback. These tools are employed to generate optimal environmental designs for students considering the 3D massing of their studio design projects using parametric tools, such as Grasshopper3D, combined with energy simulation tools, such as Ladybug. Many approaches were conducted to test and assess ParaSIM in architecture pedagogy. Experimental works were commenced, including two sets of workshops, with students, and interviews with architectural experts from academia and practice. The final research output is a ParaSIM pedagogical framework. This framework aims to support students' design decision-making by improving their interaction with digital design and simulation tools. This process reduces the time and effort required to complete computable design tasks. Accordingly, the students themselves can make most of the design decision activities within the ParaSIM framework regarding the measurable design aspects of energy simulation, consequently requiring less interaction from design studio tutors in this area. Students still need to discuss more subjective design decisions such as aesthetics, narrative, function, and culture, however, the introduction of the ParaSIM framework creates more capacity for these areas.

The issues associated with the urban identity of cities are particularly important in the context of historic holy cities, where the social and cultural changes of modernity have profound impacts on the urban transformation of traditional urban fabric and structure. This paper investigates trends of architectural design in the city of Karbala, one of the most important sacramental cities in Iraq as a site of two holy shrines (among other sites) for Shia Muslims. It first highlights urban identity in general and the urban identity in holy cities in particular, focusing on special characteristics of urban identity formation. Secondly, it explains the selection of the city of Karbala as a case study, due to its regional, social and historical role for Shias around the world. This study undertook original research by administering a questionnaire among local architects in Karbala, focused on the relationship between the architect as a designer and many concepts affecting the urban identity of the holy city. The methodology used to analyse the validity and consistency of the questionnaire was the Likert method. The research concludes that there is a weakness in the designer communication with the urban heritage of the holy city of Karbala in particular, and with Iraqi culture in general. Also, designers believe that the legacy is unable to fulfil contemporary requirements, as the process of communication between past and present is limited by only

Karbala is one of the metropolitan cities in Iraq, its historic and religious centre has a long history, yet many of its buildings are under threat because of unclear conservation management due to urban transformation. The history of religious rituals and processions reflects an array of values, concepts and planning philosophy that has used the power of religion and holiness of the city as a source of homogeneity and integration. By looking at the mass-pilgrimage spatial practices to the Holy Shrines in Karbala city centre and the adaptation by its residents of their domestic neighbourhoods, this paper analyses the spatial conditions of the city and offers insights into a set of factors that have shaped its historical evolution and urban spaces. The paper is in three parts; first, it discusses the causes of the urban transformation in this holy city. Secondly, it documents a set of everyday practices and problems in Karbala city, focusing on the urban level (the traditional fabric), following the analytical method of the historic evolution of Karbala as a religious centre as well as the incompatibility of the modern development with the centre’s historical heritage. Thirdly, it analyses the transformation of the urban structure by discussing the characteristics of the historical centre and the role of legislation in urban transformation of traditional city centres

ان وجود المراقد المقدسة كنواة في تكوين المشهد الحضري لمدن العتبات الإسلامية لم يحظى بالكثير من الاهتمام , فلا توجد دراسات كافية تساهم في فهم و ادراك أثر هذه المراقد في تكوين النسيج الحضري. لذا يهدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة اثر وجود هذه العتبات المقدسة كنواة في تكوين المشهد الحضري لمدن المراقد الإسلامية، حيث يهتم بدراسة اثر هذه العتبات على توجيه المحاور الحركية ضمن نسيجها الحضري. لذا يفترض البحث أن وجود هذه المراقد ضمن المدن التاريخية يعد مؤثرا أساسيا في توجيه نسيجها الحضري لاسيما المحاور الحركية. اعتمد البحث دراسة الأدبيات السابقة وإيجاد مجموعة من المؤشرات لقياس و العينات التطبيقية و تحليلها. و اقترح طرق قياس إضافية من قبل الباحث للغرض نفسه. وطبقت على مدينة النجف التاريخية محلة المشراق تحديدا كعينة بحثية. حيث استنتج البحث أن للمرقد المقدس تأثيرا واضحا وكبيرا على توجيه المحاور الحركية بصورة خاصة والنسيج الحضري عامة. The existence of the holy shrines in the formation of the urban fabric in the holy Islamic cities have not given much attention. Moreover, there are no adequate studies contribute to the understanding and awareness of the impact of these shrines in the formation of the urban fabric. This research aims at studying the influence of the presence of the sacred shrines as the basis for urban townscape configuration of Islamic holy cities, focusing upon studying the impact of these religious sites on directing the movement axis within the urban fabric. Hence, this study presupposes that the presence of these shrines within the historic cities is an influential key in directing the urban fabric and especially the axis of movement. Based on the previous study and the literature review, this paper identifies a set of indicators to measure and analyze the implementation and experimental cases. In addition, the researcher suggests additional measuring methods for the same purpose. The experimental cases is the historic city of Najaf, Al-Mishraq neighborhood. Finally, the research concludes that the holy shrine of Imam Ali ( POH ) has the magnificent and apparent role on axis of movement, in particular, and urban fabric, in general.

: يتناول البحث اهمية المواد البنائية والانهاء الخارجي ودورهما في التاثير على البيئة الحضرية من الناحية المناخية وذلك من خلال دراسة انواع مختلفة من مواد الانهاء الخارجي للفضاءات الحضرية ومواد البناء المستخدمة في المباني بالاضافة الى التطرق الى العناصر البنائية الخارجية واثر النباتات مناخيا ، حيث ان كل هذه العوامل مجتمعة تساهم في التقليل من درجة حرارة البيئة الحضرية . الكلمات المفتاحية :- البيئة الحضرية، المناخ المحلي، المواد البنائية، مواد الانهاء الخارجي، العناصر البنائية الخارجية، النباتات . Abstract: This paper tries to investigate the role of construction materials and external finishing materials in influencing the urban environment from the climatic point of view. Therefore, this is done through studying the different types of external finishing materials for urban spaces, as well as external construction materials, which are used in buildings construction. In addition, this study tries to exam the impact of the external structural elements, as well as plants, in the local climate. Accordingly, all these aspects, which are combined together, contribute in the reduction of the urban environment temperature. Key Words:- environment temperature , local climate, construction materials , external finishing materials, external structural elements , plants

Abstract This study endeavours to investigate the design of contemporary mosques in the digital era by a parametric design approach, utilizing a range of digital tools. In order to identify the design criteria for the mosque, different data collection strategies were adopted: individual interviews, a literature review, and case studies were all used in this research. The collected data was analysed and categorised from hard to soft constraints. This classification assisted in the development of a graph of constraints, used in building a 3D parametric model. Based on the predefined constraints graph, a 3D parametric model is then built in four phases. While there are some mutual design criteria and design constraints, (i.e. the Qibla direction, etc.) each phase attempts to explore some individual parameters and variations. Phase one focuses on the Qibla direction using simple shapes and parameters. Phase two, in addition to the Qibla direction, attempts to explore further design options through use of alternative Euclidian shapes. The third phase illustrates the exploration of non-Euclidian shapes –a freeform, based on 3 points B-splines. Finally, the fourth phase represents the maturity stage of the parametric model, where additional constraints and parameters are added to enrich the design process, some of them linked to the environment such as the sunlight and location. Here, environmental parameters are extracted from two real locations: Al-Najaf city in Iraq and Manchester city in the UK, in order to achieve a deep understanding about the role of these parameters on the design process and the generation of forms.

Dr Nasar has become the Editor of Arabic Language Team: Dr. Zuhair Nasar (Editor) of the University of Kufa, Iraq. Dr. Nasar is supported by the following co-Editors (Country of Origin): Ahmad Lutfi of the Tornado Group, UAE (Syria), Mr. Billel Dridi of FAM Holding Group, UAE (Algeria), Dr. Djamel Dilmi of King Abdullah University, KSA (Algeria), Dr. Hamza Faisal Moshrif of Taibah University, KSA, Dr. Hayam M. Omayer of the Cairo Higher Institute for Engineering, Egypt, Ms. Manal Al-Adwani of Salford University, UK (Kuwait), and Mr. Omar Selim of BIM Arabia, Qatar (Eqypt). External review is provided by Ms. Siham Barakat of the Australia Council for Education Research, Australia (Lebanon).

Academic Cooperation with ENGAGE Network, member of Iraqi Team, and leading the Historic and religious architecture Team