Book ِChapter by Aida M Ejroushi
Innovative Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Urban Development: Integrating Tradition and Modernity, 2024
This paper explores the transformation of historical landmarks in the ancient city of Tripoli. It... more This paper explores the transformation of historical landmarks in the ancient city of Tripoli. It specifically focuses on the recent interventions (2020-2021) that have altered the dome of the Galleria Mariotti, the Maidhaa of Al Nagah Mosque, and the pavement pattern of the historic streets. This study uses a visual assessment analysis to examine the changes to these landmarks, interpreting the processes involved in modifying their physical structures and altering their historical significance. In doing so, it sheds light on the intersection between urban redevelopment, cultural identity, and historic preservation. Additionally, the study highlights the impact of knowledge gaps in historical preservation education on decision-makers, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and improved educational initiatives. Ultimately, this research contributes to our understanding of the preservation of Tripoli's cultural heritage and advocates for informed urban development practices.
Contemporary Approaches in Urbanism and Heritage Studies, 2021
Building upon the claim that there are inherent inadequacies in the theories used Science and Tec... more Building upon the claim that there are inherent inadequacies in the theories used Science and Technology Studies (STS) to evaluate urban change in non-Western countries ruled by dominant political powers, this study suggests changes to these approaches intended to account for the impact of oppressive political systems and uneven development in these regions. Furthermore, it advocates for a reform project that involves both Western and non-Western societies intended to combat uneven development, uneven cultural development, and widespread misapplications of urbanization.
New Approaches in Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism, 2020
Conference Presentations by Aida M Ejroushi
ASOR’s Virtual Annual Meeting, October 19-22, USA, 2022
This paper builds upon the idea behind designing the Red Castle (Al- Saray al-Hamra) tunnel (road... more This paper builds upon the idea behind designing the Red Castle (Al- Saray al-Hamra) tunnel (roadway) that was presented in another research (Ejroushi 2021). Creating the tunnel to link the two sections of the coastal road (Lungo Mare Conte Volpi boulevard, entailed cutting a substantial part of the Red Castle mass and interior buildings. The design of the tunnel was primarily a replica from the Stadium and Domus Augustana of the Palace of Domitian, located on the Palatine Hill, in Rome, Italy. However, this research argues that during the Italian colonization period of Libya (1911- 1943), creating the tunnel through the Red Castle was also inspired by the design of Tripoli square, in which the Italians replicated the arrangement and design of San Mark’s square, in Venice, Italy. Accordingly, it links this argument with a previous study about the idea behind designing the main square of Tripoli, Libya (Ejroushi 2019). Based on the two existing studies, and a thorough visual analysis of these Italian precedents, this research reveals that creating a void within the Red Castle was based on replicating the arrangement and form of a prominent Roman building located in San Mark’s Plaza. Theoretically, this research contributes to the existing literature related to colonial architecture and the history of historic preservation planning in Libya. Specifically, it adds information to the history of the Red Castle tunnel that has lasted as a lost landmark.
The Hidden Idea Behind the Design of the Red Castle Tunnel During the Italian Colonization of Libya, 2021
The Red Castle (Al-Saray al-Hamra), an ancient monument that lies at the heart of Tripoli overloo... more The Red Castle (Al-Saray al-Hamra), an ancient monument that lies at the heart of Tripoli overlooking the sea, might be viewed as a symbolic representation of the city's long and tumultuous history. Because of its geographical importance as a port city along Africa's northern coast, Tripoli represents a strategic stronghold for outside forces seeking control of the region. As the city's dominant political powers (colonization and dictatorship) changed, so did the city's cultural fabric and its structures' overall esthetics. In particular, the Italian colonization of Libya between 1911 and 1943 brought about significant changes to the city and, specifically, the Red Castle. During this period, the Italians restored the castle and created a tunnel that joined two portions of the coastal road. Until its destruction in the 1970s due to redevelopment projects, the castle and tunnel were characterized by its functionality and unique design. However, the inspiration and intent behind these alterations have remained mostly obscured, with very little evidence to support assertions made regarding the motivations behind these transformative projects. This study examines the two alterations made to the Red Castle during the 1920s and the 1930s. Using existing research and a new visual analysis of the structures, this study provides evidence that the two Italian restorations were based on replicating a professionally hidden mixture of architectural elements from Roman ruins located in Italy. In addition, this study also explores the implications of these interventions within the context of historic preservation and colonialism.
Presented at the Eleventh International Conference on The Constructed Environment (Online). University of Calgary Calgary, Canada 12-14 May 2021
The increasing spread of urbanization as a global planning tool requires increasing the awareness... more The increasing spread of urbanization as a global planning tool requires increasing the awareness of societies on the importance of mitigating urbanization's effects on cities' urban identity. According to Brenner and Schmid (2014), "Today, urbanization is a process that
Presented at the 49th UAA Conference. University of Los Angeles, CA, USA., 2019
Colonial architecture commonly corresponds to the architectural style of the colonizer’s homeland... more Colonial architecture commonly corresponds to the architectural style of the colonizer’s homeland. The urban design idea the Italians selected for reshaping the central plaza of Tripoli, during the Italian colonization of Libya (1911-1943), could support this argument. The location of Tripoli on the Mediterranean Sea, the historic atmosphere of its central area, and the outside of the old city development that was established previously by the Ottoman Turks had all inspired the Italians to encourage tourism-oriented development in that area. The Italian planners and architects have replicated the design of St Mark's Square, Venice, Italy in creating Tripoli’s Square. They modified the existing development attached to the old city into an L-shaped plaza. They also incorporated in their design similar architectural landmarks to those in St Mark's Square; however, that design idea is kept hidden, and the two sections of the L-shaped plaza were identified differently as Piazza Italia and Piazza Castello. Despite the apparent differences between Tripoli’s Square and St Mark's Square, this study demonstrates that the main idea behind designing Tripoli’s Square was to emulate its counterpart in Italy. This study aims to reveal why the Italians selected to replicate the design of St Mark's Square in that area particularly. It also aims to examine what motives were behind that and what evidence could support this argument. Methodologically, a set of digital mapping techniques was used to analyze, compare, and reconstruct the urban changes that the Italians made to create Tripoli’s Square. Practically, this work will contribute to the literature concerned with urban design and colonial architecture.
Eighth International Conference on The Constructed Environment, 2018
The Urban Core Theory argues that, wherever an urban community exists, either in the past, presen... more The Urban Core Theory argues that, wherever an urban community exists, either in the past, present, or future, it forms the core of its urban setting. However, it is a unique core because it does not control its surroundings. Instead, it obtains its power from continuous interactions with these surroundings (controlling environments). The reactive attitudes that urban cores (urban communities) take to resist these environments usually strengthens their abilities to shape various urban settings. This theory can evaluate whether the reactive attitudes of urban communities are active or passive, and to infer their abilities to resist their controlling environments. It can examine the sequential development or degradation of any size of urban setting. As a measuring tool, it can study old urban settings, and predict changes for the existing ones. The map of this theory provides a static, visual representation for all components of the theory. Applying the map to a sample of three cities: Tripoli, New York, and Venice, resulted in three dynamic maps, characterizing the reactive attitudes of urban communities in each city. The effects of urban cores in shaping urban settings can be easily found, and they transfer cumulative experiences over time, which can be globally shared.
Papers by Aida M Ejroushi
Journal of Planning History, 2023
This article examines alterations made to the Red Castle in Tripoli during Italy’s colonization o... more This article examines alterations made to the Red Castle in Tripoli during Italy’s colonization of Libya between 1911 and 1943. Italian architects completed two projects which both restored the castle and altered its design through the construction of a tunnel that cuts through the historic site and joined sections of the coastal road (Lungomare Conti Volpi). Using a new visual analysis of the structures, this study argues that traditional Roman architecture influenced changes to the castle, which included elements found in preexisting Roman structures. The implications of these interventions within the context of historic preservation and colonialism are also explored.
Cinius Yayınları Publication eBooks, Aug 19, 2021
Solar Energy and Sustainable Development Journal, 2013
Due to lake of standardized methods to design and validate sun shading devices in Libya, this stu... more Due to lake of standardized methods to design and validate sun shading devices in Libya, this study aims at developing a solar chart, which can be used as a practical and systematic methodology for designing sun-shading devices in the city of Tripoli. In order toachieve the objective of this study, this paper was divided into five sections. The first section is dealing with a focused literature review with respect to types of shading devices and their impact on the exterior wall openings, the position of the sun, sun’s altitudes azimuths, and how to mathematically be determined; the sun charts, and the shading calculator.While the second section was dedicated to the determination of the overheated periods over the year in which shading devices should be in place. The third section presents computer software developed in order to automatically calculate the sun angles (Altitudes and Azimuth angles). The north latitude of 32.59 was chosen as a validation example
Journal of Planning History, 2021
This article examines alterations made to the Red Castle in Tripoli during Italy’s colonization o... more This article examines alterations made to the Red Castle in Tripoli during Italy’s colonization of
Libya between 1911 and 1943. Italian architects completed two projects which both restored the
castle and altered its design through the construction of a tunnel that cuts through the historic site
and joined sections of the coastal road (Lungomare Conti Volpi). Using a new visual analysis of the
structures, this study argues that traditional Roman architecture influenced changes to the castle,
which included elements found in preexisting Roman structures. The implications of these interventions within the context of historic preservation and colonialism are also explored.
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Book ِChapter by Aida M Ejroushi
Conference Presentations by Aida M Ejroushi
Papers by Aida M Ejroushi
Libya between 1911 and 1943. Italian architects completed two projects which both restored the
castle and altered its design through the construction of a tunnel that cuts through the historic site
and joined sections of the coastal road (Lungomare Conti Volpi). Using a new visual analysis of the
structures, this study argues that traditional Roman architecture influenced changes to the castle,
which included elements found in preexisting Roman structures. The implications of these interventions within the context of historic preservation and colonialism are also explored.
Libya between 1911 and 1943. Italian architects completed two projects which both restored the
castle and altered its design through the construction of a tunnel that cuts through the historic site
and joined sections of the coastal road (Lungomare Conti Volpi). Using a new visual analysis of the
structures, this study argues that traditional Roman architecture influenced changes to the castle,
which included elements found in preexisting Roman structures. The implications of these interventions within the context of historic preservation and colonialism are also explored.