Tradition, modernity and gender in the Arab home: a study from Tripoli (Libya)

Abstract

This socio-spatial study explores the meaning of home in an Arab context in terms of the response of residents to three case study sites that reflect different eras of development and involve different house types- traditional courtyard houses in the Medina and two collective housing estates. Based upon the triadic distinctions of Lefèbvre, a mixed methodology is applied to these case study sites, with relevant information coming from interviews and focus groups with architects and residents, a satisfaction survey and a space syntax analysis. Unlike many previous studies, the interviews and focus groups document the experience and views of female residents. The results highlight the continuing impact of religion and culture on the meaning of the home. The Arab-Libyan home constitutes a family and a feminine ideal, based on gender segregation and female privacy. The traditional courtyard house offers a suitable house type, but not the only possible type that meets the practices and preferences of Arab Libyan families.

Keywords:

• Comparative housing
• planning
• privacy
• courtyard housing
• Arab-Islamic culture

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the respondents, the family of Seham Elmansuri whose support was absolutely necessary during the fieldwork, to Jenny Fortune, Alan Patterson and Richard White for their help in supervision and the two examiners of the Sheffield Hallam University doctoral thesis on which this article is based.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Seham Elmansuri

Seham Elmansuri holds a doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University and possesses qualifications in architecture and urban design.

Barry Goodchild

Barry Goodchild is a Professor (Emeritus) in Housing and Urban Planning and a Senior Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.