The second skin of the heritage cities, old Mosul second skin

Abstract EN

The images of the heritage cities are the key of the conservation process that deals with the visible and invisible factors.

The psychological effects of the image on the recipients’ cognitive process can create an aesthetic value of the city.

There are two types of skins, which are visible and invisible.

The invisible skin is; the skin generated between the recipient’s body and the skin of the place.

The matching between these skins can create the second skin, which positively or negatively affects the image of the heritage cities.

The study is to identify the second skin of the old Mosul city as in-depth documentation of the heritage elements that can create the matching of the two skins.

The research question of the study is “What are the elements of the psychical second skin in the heritage city of Mosul”.

Therefore, the study used a mixed methodology (Qualitative and Quantitative) to reach the aim of the study.

Survey technique used to find the answer from the users of the place, also interview with architectural and heritage experts.

The primary results show that the second skin of the city depends on the intangible element more than tangible.

Therefore, urban elements have a giant impact on the image of the place.

The conservation processes should focus on the elements that can sustain the skin of the city as a heritage image and inherited a tangible and intangible culture.