Constancy, Transposition, and Change In City Design For the Arab City In the Future

In this document, Fathy discusses problems of urban design in Arab cities. He mainly critiques the omission of an Arab vocabulary of architecture within the criteria of modern design, which in his view, mostly originates from a western perspective. According to Fathy, this alternate version of architectural design that differed from the evolutionary process of architecture in the Arab world caused the buildings of the modern era to be alienated in their natural and traditional surroundings. He labels these new buildings as being classified as a 'sub-European style,' and asserts that such buildings have emerged all over the Arab world. As a result, Fathy calls planners and architects to be cognizant of the Arab tradition, especially in respects to gathering resource material for construction while keeping in mind the current socio-economic status in their designs. He then gives the idea of the ideal 'Arab City' through several examples. The document also includes several maps and urban design plans of various Arab cities across the world.

Fathy, Hassan. "Constancy, Transposition, and Change In City Design For the Arab City In the Future." Hassan Fathy Archives. Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Geneva, Switzerland.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture