Advisor: Prof. Yahya Al-Zoubi

Abstract:
"Hara" community as a primary unit of the Arabic Islamic city has an importance in it's study and analysis, not only as a shape, but as a content and reasons built on, because it was a reflection of the economical, social and cultural conditions.

Arabic Islamic city was set on the basis of structural unit represented by "hara" community that was considered as the first residential cell which formed it's urban structure. It was divided into sectors; each of them has residential groups called "Kheta" that consist of a group of "harats.² so, the "hara" is the smallest urban community, which forms the structure of the city. And the urban formation assist in creating the social contact between residents.

This thesis is divided into two main parts, with four chapters. The first chapter studied "hara" in the first phase which was affected by a set of factors represented by the tribal, vocational, and political factors which resulted in a social and urban form that could include the requirements of the Islamic society.

In lie second chapter, Arabic Islamic city was studied in two phases, the colonial, and the modern phases. In these two phases, the city faced changes that affected society and resulted in a change of the formation of the city.

In chapter three, we studied urban and social structure of "Salt" city. We found that it was structured on the basis of local "mahalla" which consist of groups of "harats.² two "haras" were selected for the field study, focussing on the social and urban structure to explore whether the urban fabric of "hara" reflects significant social relationship among residents.

In chapter four, we concluded the planning character of the Jordanian city based on "hara" community. Hierarchy of city division and spaces is considered as one of the main characters. Then we concluded planning principles of "hara" which could create a kind of social structure.

So, "hara" community with its social and urban could be considered as a tool of the modern urban formation with consideration of modern technology.