The impact of social classes on the residential heritage Buildings Erbil Citadel as a case study

Abstract

The class phenomenon is a social case that exists in every society, despite that all the theories tries to deny it. It is an old phenomenon which refers to the beginning of the life of human beings. Previous researchs refer this phenomenon to a number of factors, such as: econnmical basis, professional basis, lifestyle and cultural prevailing of that time, and according to that, sociologists classified these differences within social classes. They affect the social status, behavior, values and lifestyle of people, as well as their place of residence and design. Accordingly, this paper has been designed to expalin the influence of social classes on the design of residential buildings through a historical and analytical approach that illustrates and confirms the research idea. This research assumes that the social phenomenon has a role in creating differences between the designs of traditional residential buildings. In order to prove this, the Erbil Citadel has been chosen as a model of this practical study, because it has clear divisions that consist of three different regions (Saray, Takiya and Topkhana), these divisions are taken from the class divisions of the Ottoman Empire, because the Citadel was a part of the Ottoman Empire until 1918. The research has been divided into two main sections. In the first section, the theoretical aspects of the study have been identified. The concept of layers and the reasons for their appearance have been examined, as the Erbil Citadel has been studied historically. In the second section, the most important analysis of the impact of social classes on the design of residential buildings heritage in the Erbil Citadel have been examined through the outcomes that are drawn from the first part. Finally, the findings of the study have been discussed and tested.