Folk Housing Revisited

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Desert Campus

Research

Urban Design - Residential

Life in sha’bi (folk) neighborhoods takes on a different nature from modern residential communities. These neighborhoods are often characterized by qualities of social cohesion and interaction amongst their residents rarely found in newly built residential neighborhoods. Despite the deteriorated conditions of many of these neighborhoods and neglect of public facilities within them, they contain physical characteristics that engender desirable social behaviors and public life. The regeneration of Al Ghubaiba area based on the adaptation, improvement and eventual transformation of these neighborhoods through a gradual process of urban regeneration. The proposal puts forth a scenario visualizing the process and potential outcome of preserving and enhancing some of the qualities already inherent within these areas. The design process involved field research and surveys to document the existing conditions mapping “unregulated” spill out areas outside of the residential units where informal seating, children play areas, or urban farming take place.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Design Strategy

Enhancing & promoting the growing of vegetables as a community activity

Outdoor Seating

After understanding the social behaviour of the residents, frontage seating will act as an extension of their homes & will encourage interaction with neighbours

Hydroponic Structure

A garden structure, growing vegetables, herbs, and fruiting plants. The produce is grown hydroponically, with the use of water only