English Abstract
Abstract :
Due to the demands of human life, new urban housing settlements have
appeared rapidly in Bahrain, resulting in a significant gap between the old
cities and new urban housing settlements. The gap affects family relations
and creates a crack in the social fabric of the new urban settlements. The
thesis explained that each city has its unique spirit. Unique city spirits
connect directly with the sense of place idea, which connects with the human
being's senses and experiences. However, cities have several indicators and
immaterial aspects that identify their spirits. The city spirit indicators are
given less consideration in the new urban settlements as compared to
Bahrain's old city spirit. This thesis aims to investigate the spirit of the new
urban settlements and identify several ways to enhance and develop the
quality of the new urban settlements and the quality of life for the residents
in the new urban settlements in Bahrain with the power of the old city spirit.
Based on the literature review about the city spirit, in-person
interviews, and focus group discussions were held for the data collection
process. The samples were selected non-probably from Bahrain residents for
in-person interviews, and experts in Bahrain‘s heritage and old city as a
focus group. Twenty participants were involved in in-person interviews, and
thirteen participants were in the focus group. Thematic qualitative data
analysis extracted themes from the in-person interviews and focus group
data. Illustrative case studies were used to discuss the themes extracted. Case
studies selected new urban settlements or cities considering old city spirit
indicators.
Analysis of the in-person interviews, focus groups, and case studies
demonstrated that the old city spirit was distinctive and better quality than
the spirit of the new urban settlements in Bahrain. The thematic qualitative
data analysis highlighted the current situation of the new urban settlements
and identified several ways to bring the old city spirit to the new urban
settlements. The findings highlighted that the old city spirit's existence
improves the residents' quality of life and helps develop the new urban
settlements in Bahrain.
The findings indicate that the old city spirit is of better quality than the
spirit of new urban settlements. The old city spirit's existence positively
affects and develops the quality of the new urban settlements. Consequently,
it is recommended to consider old city spirit power in planning and
designing new urban settlements in Bahrain. The old city spirit should be a
source of inspiration rather than plainly copying it. The thesis contributes to
knowledge and develops the idea of the spirit of place. Moreover, it
contributes to the practice as it produces a set of recommendations for
several organizations in Bahrain to follow, such as the Urban Planning
Authority and Real Estate Developers, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry
of Works, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication, and
academics and university faculty. Further research is needed to use a more
comprehensive sampling range and other methods that could generalize the
findings
