The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The ci...The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.展开更多
The paper takes the notion of soundscape and its relation to power relations within the scope of architecture. Indeed, sound has long been devised as a tool so as to control people and urban realm. The paper discusses...The paper takes the notion of soundscape and its relation to power relations within the scope of architecture. Indeed, sound has long been devised as a tool so as to control people and urban realm. The paper discusses the politics, aesthetics and social character of urban soundscape by elucidating the materialized shape of sound, that is to say; the close relationship between architecture and sound, between materiality of the physical form and its audio-spatial experience to understand how soundscape is controlled by architectural means for establishing power over masses and class segregation in various contexts. Similar to the case of physical-landscape, the soundscape in various types of buildings also manifests the idealized power relationships in any society through the control of sound in architectural space. Therefore, the auditory characteristics of these spatial precedents are elucidated in this study. It is argued that sound is a very political entity and auditory mechanisms are utilized for the purposes of both surveillance and suppression of political opponents. The paper intends to demonstrate that sound has a very dark history under the disguise of grandiose aesthetics, and thus, it is very important in establishing power. Spatial typologies are classified according to their auditory functions in relation to establishing power in urban realm.展开更多
文摘The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.
文摘The paper takes the notion of soundscape and its relation to power relations within the scope of architecture. Indeed, sound has long been devised as a tool so as to control people and urban realm. The paper discusses the politics, aesthetics and social character of urban soundscape by elucidating the materialized shape of sound, that is to say; the close relationship between architecture and sound, between materiality of the physical form and its audio-spatial experience to understand how soundscape is controlled by architectural means for establishing power over masses and class segregation in various contexts. Similar to the case of physical-landscape, the soundscape in various types of buildings also manifests the idealized power relationships in any society through the control of sound in architectural space. Therefore, the auditory characteristics of these spatial precedents are elucidated in this study. It is argued that sound is a very political entity and auditory mechanisms are utilized for the purposes of both surveillance and suppression of political opponents. The paper intends to demonstrate that sound has a very dark history under the disguise of grandiose aesthetics, and thus, it is very important in establishing power. Spatial typologies are classified according to their auditory functions in relation to establishing power in urban realm.
