The Impact of Built Environment on Human Behaviors

This study discusses the relationship between the physical environment and the behavior of its inhabitants in traditional cities (The Old City of al-Quds). It analyses the effects of a particular physical environment on the different aspects of the lives of its people as well as their interactive influence and changes of the features of the environment within which they are living. The built environment should adapt to their different needs in this rapidly changing era of technological revolution in order to understand how does that old urban fabric, which was originally formed as a reflection and translation to a past culture, emphasize the importance of utilizing the knowledge of human behavior while designing built environments. It also discusses the role of architects in the psychological space design and formation of appropriate and inappropriate behavioral patterns. This study mainly aims to shed light on housing in the Old City of al-Quds in particular, a city that has witnessed continuous decline in its standards and requirements of living in terms of the functional, social, educational psychological and health aspects of the population in order to examine the relationship between the population and the physical environment. This is done by analyzing the specific architectural style of the housing environment with its particular formation, elements, and characteristics, and their influence on the people's traditions, values, social relations. The study concludes that the existing situation of the residential environment in the old city has lost much of its cultural values that forms the link between the cultural and social identity of the inhabitants and the architectural style of the physical fabric of housing. It also shows that the reality of its existing situation has a negative impact on residents' characteristics and on their different life issues. While sometimes keeping part of the original features, the study recommends that upgrading housing use within the old city in Al-Quds, is one of the most important factors not only to save the old city, but also to revive the cultural values associated with our cultural heritage and national identity. This could be achieved by applying various programs among people to support them, promote their living conditions, raise awareness, and strengthen their national affiliation. This will also lead to reversing the decline in historic monuments that are closely linked not only to the peoples' own civilization, but also to their historic rights in this land.