دراسة تقييمية لمستقبل حمام السمرا

Joint Authors

القيق، فريد صبح
الوزير، محمد

Source

المؤتمر الهندسي الدولي الثاني للإعمار و التنمية الجامعة الإسلامية-غزة، 3-4 سبتمبر 2007

Publisher

Islamic University of Gaza Faculty of Engineering

Publication Date

2007-09-30

Country of Publication

Palestine (Gaza Strip)

No. of Pages

19

Main Subjects

Engineering & Technology Sciences (Multidisciplinary)

English Abstract

Throughout historical ages, Gaza has been viewed amongst the most important cities of Palestine.

The historical center of Gaza city is among the most important sites in the city as it bustles with business activity and contains the major part of the cultural and architectural legacy of the region.

Gaza city used to have a lot of public baths which were built to meet the hygienic need of the public, in addition to their social importance as gathering places for pleasant social events, parties and meetings.

It is most unfortunate that nothing of these baths has remained except the Samrah bath in Al-Zaitoun neighborhood at the heart of the old city constituting an important part of the architectural fabric comprising the Great Omari mosque, Qisaria market, pasha palace and Khan Al-Zait.

Hence, preservation of the genuine structural heritage turns into a matter of great importance, specially with the impression, on the local level, of the negative results of unsound dealing with the architectural fabric in the old city.

The previous restoration project of the Hammam, which was conducted in 2001, has remarkably improved the physical conditions of its construction elements and external appearance.

In addition, the Building has regain its original function as a public path.

After about 5 years in operation, the authors believe that it is the right time to assess this approach.

The assumption of the authors is that although the Hammam has regained its original function as a public path, the social and heritage values have not been appropriately addressed.

The authors suspect that the vast majority of the Hammam visitors has been attracted by the curiosity of examining an old fashion of having baths or by the believe of the healthy effect of such tradition.

In this assumption, the important role of Hammam as a unique place for social gathering has not been achieved, especially when the number of users of the Hammam is a small minority if compared with the society as a whole.

Furthermore, having the Hammam operating as a public path does not necessarily highlight the historic values of the building.

So, regaining the original function of the Hammam does not give the Hammam the same importance in the city fabric and its function as a public path in contemporary life has not been enough to get back its role in society due to the cultural and social changes in the two periods.

The authors believe that if it is required for the Hammam to obtain the same position in society as it was previously, the Hammam should incorporate other functions besides the original function as public path.

This could be a kind of functions which properly correspond with its status, such as galleries, exhibitions, museums, etc.

Such activities will promote the cultural value of the Hammam and link it with other heritage elements in the old city and with tourist activities, as well.

To approve this hypothesis, the authors will prepare a questionnaire for the users of the Hammam and classify them according to the purpose of their visits to the Hammam.

The authors' hypothesis expect that most of the users are visiting the Hammam for purposes not directly associated with the building as a distinct historic element.

In this case, this should reflect the importance of establishing different approach in dealing with Hammam issues and more emphases should be given to highlight the historic importance of the building by incorporating other functions within the Hammam or by dual use for some of its spaces.

The study would also help to suggest the future function which the bath would be qualified to perform and offer other alternatives that would help preserve the historic landmark as one of the most important building in the Gaza Strip.

Data Type

Conference Papers

Record ID

BIM-776591

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