History of Islamic

Cities
M S C I N S U S TA I N A B L E E N V I R O N M E N TA L D E S I G N I N A R C H I T E C T U R E

QUALITY ASSURANCE SEMINARS

Seminar outline

 Classification of Islamic cities

 Types of cities
 Islamic cities components
Classification
 Muslims started the urbanization process quickly after entering the
new lands. This urbanization took place in two types of cities:

 1-The inherited cities: These are cities which were built before
Islam, and the Muslims occupied them and started altering them.

 Examples: Damascus, Alexandria, Samarkand.

 2-The designed cities: These are the cities which were built
completely by the Muslims, with a primitive or a complex
masterplan.

 Examples: Kufa, Baghdad, Cairo.

Type of cities

1. Military cities
2. Administrative cities
3. Typical Islamic Cities
Military cities
 Many cities followed this planning system, especially
the ones that were aimed to situate the armies and their
families,

 •In all the cities, the first step was to decide the location.
This was done after a long study of the environmental
and geographical characteristics of the region.

 After deciding the location, the site of the mosque was

chosen, and the building was planned. Then main streets
were laid parallel and perpendicular to the mosque’s
walls, defining a grid.
Military cities
examples
Fustatin in Egypt,
Kufa and Basrah in Iraq,
Qairawan in Tunis.
Administrative Cities
Many cities were built as capitals such as: Baghdad and Samarra in Iraq,
Cairo in Egypt, Marakeshin Morocco, etc.
Here the planning principles were altered a little, to give place for the
large buildings and functions, and open way for monumental planning.
Administrative Cities
Typical Islamic city
 A typical Islamic city would
have a mosque in the center,
surrounded by the market place
and then the residential areas.

 Many Islamic cities had two

nodes, the mosque and the
citadel.

 Public buildings were on the

main arteries.
European vs. Islamic cities
 You can’t compare Islamic cities by European standards.
 Islamic architecture gave importance to climate for creating
the Islamic style.
 Islamic architecture gave importance to the people.
Islamic City Design And Outline

 Islamic city design and layout have been influenced by various factors,
including

o Religious principles

o Cultural traditions

o The geographical and environmental conditions of the regions where they

were built.

o Islamic cities lacked formal institutions, which meant that there was no
government buildings. Any and all institutional functions were fulfilled by a
Jami’, the central Mosque of the city.
Islamic city
components
Islamic city components
 1. Central Mosque

 The heart of an Islamic city is typically the central mosque,

which serves as a focal point in the city.

 The mosque acted as the prime public building, it not only

functioned as a place of worship but provided social and
political functions.

 The mosque is often surrounded by a courtyard and may

include a minaret for the call to prayer.
Central Mosque
 Islamic city components
2. Streets
 The urban pattern is organic and irregular.

 Streets in Islamic cities are typically narrow to

provide shade and keep the city cooler in hot
climates.

 The pedestrian experience in Islamic cities, is also

characterized by narrow alleyways and insular
residential clusters.

 The directions of the streets are not straight To let

wind circulate inside the city in the hot climate.

 Using zigzag streets for reducing sight view.

Islamic city components
2. Streets

 The function of the streets of the Islamic City was focused on being
arteries of communication and movement linking its various
architectural formations. The function of the streets and roads was
also closely linked to the means of transportation used, which were
the animals that were used for riding or carrying weights .
Islamic city components
 3. Residential areas

 Residential neighborhoods are interspersed with

commercial and religious areas. Houses are
designed with privacy in mind, often featuring
inner courtyards and high walls facing the street.

 The Muslim house is enclosed and inward-

oriented, and has all the activities inside the
house in the very protected environment

 The buildings had compact system,

 They interlocked together, this feature

strengthened social interaction.
3. Residential areas
Islamic city components
3.Residential areas
Islamic city components
3. Residential areas
 Each Islamic city adapted to their
location, courtyard houses in Baghdad
was closed, in Sulaymaniyah the
courtyard was L shaped or I shaped
building, because of the climatic factor
and social factor.
 Islamic city components
4. Islamic Bazar (souq)

 Bazaars and Souks: Markets are

an essential part of Islamic cities.
Bazaars and souks are busy
marketplaces where merchants sell
a wide range of goods.

 These markets are often covered to

provide shade and shelter from sun
and rain.
Islamic city components
Islamic city components
 5. Walls

 Historically, many Islamic cities were surrounded by walls for

protection. These walls often had gates that were closed at night.
The walls symbolized security and unity within the city.
Islamic city components

Taroudant, a town inside Morocco city

Islamic city components
6. Green Spaces
 Gardens and green spaces are
important in Islamic city design.

 They offer places for relaxation and

reflection and help mitigate the urban
heat island effect.

 But these green areas was inside

buildings, in the court yard in specific.
The Taj Mahal garden, India
Islamic city components
7. City Gates:
 Many Islamic cities had monumental gates
that served as both entrances and symbolic
landmarks.

Marrakesh, Morocco - December 8, 2016: City gate Bab Agnaou - one

of the nineteen gates of Marrakesh, Morocco, Africa.
Islamic city components
8. Caravanserais
 These were inns or guesthouses for travelers and merchants, often
built along trade routes. Caravanserais provided lodging and
facilities for both people and animals.

Tehran, Iran
Islamic city components
9. Water Features:
 Islamic cities frequently incorporate water elements, such as
fountains, canals, and pools. These not only provide a source of
water but also have aesthetic and cooling effects.
Islamic city components
10.Al-Musalla (Namazgah)
 The prayer hall is a large place
built in the open air for the
purpose of holding prayers on
holidays,

 Also for holding meetings in times

of peace and war.

 It is located outside the city

Typical model of Islamic city associated to the Iranian cities Source: Eckart EHLERS and Willem FLOOR, Urban
Change in Iran, 1920-1941
Thank you
END OF LECTURE 2