Defining the architectural and interior identity: A case study on Ghadames Settlement

This research investigates the urban identity and its transformation in the city of Ghadames, Libya. The thesis starts by studying the identity dimensions, which are the physical identity, environmental identity, socio-cultural identity and economic identity. Moreover, the literature provides many elements under each dimension, which are elaborated through the course of this thesis. Furthermore, the case study of Ghadames investigates the identity and its transformation from a theoretical view by applying each of the identity dimensions and its subsidiary elements on the old and new developments of the city. Nonetheless, a gap is identified in the literature about Ghadames's identity especially with regard to the socio-cultural and environmental dimensions, which the research addressed through a field assessment methodology, i.e. inhabitant's questionnaire. The results of the study show that the physical elements were not properly satisfied during the development of the new city in order to maintain the city overall identity. Moreover, out of twenty-one identity elements, it is found that only two elements are compliant with the city's identity, seven elements were incompliant and the rest of the elements are diminishing due to lack of identity empowerment. At the end of the study, recommendations to preserve the identity of Ghadames are summarized.