Adaptive Urban Housing in Historic Landscapes: A Multi-Criteria Framework for Resilient Heritage in Damascus

Haik Tomajian () and János Gyergyák
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Haik Tomajian: Marcell Breuer Doctoral School, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány u. 2, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
János Gyergyák: Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány u. 2, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-33

Abstract: Historic urban cores face escalating pressures from climate change, rapid urbanization, and uncoordinated redevelopment, which often threaten their cultural identity and social cohesion, demanding innovative solutions that balance heritage conservation with contemporary housing needs. This study introduces an integrated evaluation framework encompassing 18 criteria across architectural, urban, and green dimensions to assess adaptive housing interventions in urban heritage contexts. Building on resilience theory, urban living, and sustainable urban futures, the paper traces the historical and contemporary design influences that have shaped urban housing design in Damascus, and investigates strategies to maintain prospective housing identity by applying the methodology of the developed framework to three representative dwellings in Damascus’s UNESCO-listed city. Considering the heritage-specific indicators, social place memory, and the cultural significance—with environmental performance and socio-economic viability—the developed compass-like tool in this research visualizes multi-criteria scores to identify leverage points for resilience. Results highlight priority zones for intervention and suggested policy incentives. Through the provision of a flexible, clear tool grounded in adaptive housing concepts, this study empowers planners, conservationists, and communities to develop sustainable, forward-thinking approaches for historic urban environments globally.

Keywords: urban housing; multi-criteria framework; local style; architectural ID; place memory; prospective housing; adaptable futures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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