Author(s)

M. Itma

Abstract

The need for high-density housing is increasing in Palestine. The dramatic limitation of land and the high demand for housing is greatly influencing urban qualities. Besides which, the current types of settlements contain a lot of disadvantages. These are mostly low-rise, low-density, or high-rise, high-density types of housing, which usually consist of independent typologies. In addition, the traditional typologies are mainly delivered from the courtyard prototype. They form a compact fabric that can contain a high-density of the population. However, the influence of traditional typologies is rarely found in the contemporary housing of Palestine. This paper investigates the values of the traditional typologies in order to propose them as a possible choice for future development. The investigation leads to the following conclusions: the traditional typologies have the advantages of both low-rise and high-rise independent typologies. They also characterize the whole settlement with great values based on socio-cultural sustainability, which are rarely found in contemporary housing: minimal waste of outdoor spaces, ability to growth, adaptability, environmental adequacy, and minimal infrastructure and services.

Keywords

settlement type, traditional housing, compact fabric, high-density, Palestine