Advisor: Prof. Majdy Tawfiq

Abstract:
This is mainly a historical research, concerned with the domain of urban design in the Arab Muslim city. The particular topic of this research is the historical role of the urban space of the great mosque in the organization of urban centers in a traditional Arab Muslim city, so as to study the underlying principles of this organization role, and make use of such principles in dealing with the contemporary urban spaces of the Arab Muslim cities.

This research looks into these underlying principles. Firstly, by tracing the genesis and evolution of the urban space of the great mosque to find out the basic leaps in its role and form, in relation with the evolution of the Muslim society. Secondly, by looking into the factors and forces that shaped and produced this urban space, which are related to the urban frameworks and other physical characteristics of an urban center in a traditional Arab Muslim city. Thirdly, by finding about the hierarchical position of the urban spaces of the great mosque, in relation to the hierarchy of urban spaces in a traditional Arab Muslim city. Also, the spatial relationships among the urban space of the great mosque and other major urban elements in the core of the traditional city. Fourthly, by concluding from all the above-mentioned issues and developing some guiding principles, and recommending generally and specifically for further researches.