Defining Old Cities: Guardians of Architectural Heritage and Collective Memory

Hussaen Ali Hasan Kahachi, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Technology - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq. Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.Follow
Mufeed Ehsan Shok, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Technology - Iraq, Baghdad, IraqFollow
Maria Abreu, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.Follow

Keywords

Old cities, architectural identity, Spirit of place, Historical continuity, Urban resilience, collective memory, Urban nostalgia

Document Type

Original Study

Abstract

Old cities serve as testaments of architectural heritage and collective memory, offering unique urban experiences shaped by centuries of gradual evolution. Despite extensive research on physical preservation, limited studies address how old cities maintain their cultural and socio-economic relevance in modern contexts. This study aims to bridge this gap by defining old cities in terms of architecture and urban planning, and by examining their unique characteristics as assets in a modernizing world. Through a mixed-method approach, including a narrative literature review and a survey of experts in architecture and urban planning, this research uncovers the defining attributes of old cities. Key findings highlight historical continuity, cultural significance, and socio-economic resilience as central to their enduring identity. To qualify as an old city, a settlement must have preserved its physical and cultural essence for a long period of time, with its urban fabric deeply intertwined with the collective memory and "spirit of place". Settlements without these features cannot be considered old cities in a modernizOld cities represent architectural heritage and collective memory, shaped by centuries of gradual evolution. While research often focuses on physical preservation, limited studies explore how old cities maintain cultural and socioeconomic relevance in modern contexts. This study addresses the gap by defining old cities in architectural and urban planning terms and investigating their value in a modernizing world. Using a mixed-method approach, including a literature review and expert surveys, the research identifies key attributes of old cities: historical continuity, cultural significance, and socioeconomic resilience. These elements are essential to their identity and relevance. To qualify as an old city, a settlement must preserve its physical and cultural essence over time, with urban fabric tied to collective memory and a distinct "spirit of place." Settlements lacking these traits cannot be considered old cities. The findings contribute to sustainable urban development by emphasizing the importance of preserving old cities' unique identities.ing world. These insights contribute to the discourse on sustainable urban development, emphasizing the importance of preserving the unique identity of old cities amid global urbanization pressures.

Recommended Citation

Kahachi, Hussaen Ali Hasan; Shok, Mufeed Ehsan; and Abreu, Maria (2025) "Defining Old Cities: Guardians of Architectural Heritage and Collective Memory," Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36041/iqjap.2025.151809.1104