A Theoretical Framework for the Evaluation from the Traditional Mashrabiya to Modern Mashrabiya

Nicosia Walled City, on the northern side of Cyprus, encapsulates historical imprints from various cultures and civilizations within its layered structure, despite being a divided city since 1974. Based on this beautiful Medieval sequence, this study investigates the implications of architectural design approaches aimed at incorporating contemporary architecture into this heterogeneous historic city to conserve its historical identity. While the threats facing this diverse built heritage composition are various, the changes brought about by design outcomes and development actions can be challenging. This is especially so when designers are obligated to adhere to conservation principles that clash with the city’s character and that resort to design strategies that prohibit the addition of new layers. This study employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and examined three case studies based on buildings that were erected during the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus period, spanning from 1983 to when the crossing began in 2003. This study’s conclusions revealed that the design schemes negatively impacted the city’s historical identity layers because the designers followed selective conservation principles that entirely concentrated on nostalgia rather than typological values. Rather than creating new layers, preferences energized this problem, and the designers’ attitudes towards the place’s heterogeneous character maintained the same context uniformity patterns. Efforts to add sequences of layers reflecting the identity of the present time and its perceptions were thwarted. These reductions in the historical layers, the subsequent transformations, and the current social–cultural necessities should stimulate individual determination and practical policy instruments. The tools proposed here will accommodate inclusive ideas that encourage fresh dialogues with the past, thus keeping the city’s identity significant for the future.

The City of Nicosia contains cultural heritage from different periods of history. Over time, due to user damage, illegal constructions, and abandonment, Nicosia has faced the danger of deterioration in its morphology and the loss of its original identity. With the recent strategic planning, the city of Nicosia has started to be revived. Within the scope of revitalization works, original or re-functional use projects are carried out on existing structures. Revitalization projects in historical cities should be implemented within the framework of sustainable development. In this study, the Arabahmet and Karamanzade regions of Nicosia were selected as the focus of the research. The research aims to assess revitalization works in selected zones within the framework of sustainable development. Three methodologies were followed in the research process: Theoretical, analytical, and practical approaches. As the first step in the theoretical approach, sustainable development was emphasized in historical cities and Nicosia City. Through an analytical approach, a current analysis of Nicosia city was made. In addition, in the practical approach, data highlighting the physical condition and architectural heritage of the regions were collected. In the practical assessment stage, data obtained within the scope of sustainable development and the revitalization works that can be applied in historical cities have been evaluated for the city of Nicosia. Analysis was made according to the data for the regions selected in line with the social, cultural, environmental, and economic criteria, which are the four pillars of sustainable development. In the last stage, the findings and discussion section, the direction of the revitalization works in the regions was assessed. Research reveals that the revitalization works carried out in the region are not fully addressed within the scope of sustainable development. The study reveals that it is essential for the sustainability of the conservation process of the local community.

Fashion Inspired by Architecture: The Interrelationship between Mashrabiya and Fashion World

The rapid growth of the world increased the demand of the tall buildings as a result of physical, social and economic needs. Tall Buildings with their great size and large impact on the existing urban environment and especially on the historical one became like a double-edged sword. They may be an active city element and become a landmark that has its own value, preserve and respect the built surrounding, or it will be a portion that disfigure the urban skyline of the city and become a visual deformation within its space. The most important point that should be considered while designing a tall building is the harmony between it and its built surrounding. Design considerations regarding physical integration of the tall building with the context around it must be handled with more care than any other conventional building. In order to minimize the damage on the historical urban heritage and the existing built environment maximizing the useful landscape provided by its footprint on the site should be aimed. This paper aims to evaluate the impacts regarding the integration of tall buildings within the existing and historical urban environment. A holistic approach clarifying this integration as a way of designing an efficient urban element also aimed to be discussed in this paper.

The present study aimed to reveal architecture students’ attitudes to plagiarism. Quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design research was adopted for the present study. Faculty of architecture, Department of Architecture students (n=233) participated the study. Students answered to Attitude toward Plagiarism (ATP) scale. Data analysis carried out utilizing SPSS. Students’ level of attitudes were found to be moderate for both three dimensions, Positive Attitudes, Negative Attitudes, and Subjective Norms. The students have lack of plagiarism knowledge. Students believe that plagiarism is not good but a community issue. The act to plagiarizing depends on situations. Methodological terms and time limit are leading in causing plagiarism. Plagiarism is primarily an expert issue and students should not be punished for the act, particularly for self-plagiarism. Girls are more sensitive to plagiarism issues than boys. Attitudes to plagiarism changes favorably with grade increase. Implications for librarians, educators, and policymakers are drawn.