PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING: DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING ARCHITECTURE IDENTITY IN DAMASCUS

The aim of this study is investigating development process of hosing architecture identity in Syria and Damascus. Damascus is the most ancient standing city of the world. Damascus house with valuable qualitative characteristics was a place for comfort and calmness. Despite of such a unique potential, history, identity and originality, unfortunately housing and residence in Damascus in the recent times have ignored the traditional values of the past and moved toward awkward and incorrect copying and imitation of other regions' architecture. This study attempts to show changing and transforming architectural identity in Damascus for future inspirations. Research method is explanatory and descriptive. Samples were selected from Syrian tradition and modern house. The dominant social and economic conditions and globalization effects have led the Syrian citizens to imitation. The reasons are weakness in architecture culture and planning for architecture culture and identity enhancement. Syrian architecture has been located far from its history and urban development. It has changed into with no cultural meaning and with no relation to Syrian citizens' needs and requirements. The point has been confirmed by many architects and academics. They believe that this alienation and lack of identity in Syria architecture are rooted in cultural weakness of the Syria society and architecture.