Analysing the Transformed Urban Patterns of Al-Najaf Historical Center: Urgent Issues and Possible Solutions

Abstract The Old Holy Al-Najaf is the third influential religious center for Shia Muslims in the whole Islamic world after Mecca and Madinah. This historical city embraces a rich tangible and intangible heritage that has long distinguished its architectural identity and enriched its spiritual experience. Along its history, since its establishment around the 8th century AD, the city has faced continues challenges defying its capacity to resist, preserve, and evolve based on the root causes of its formation (Islamic culture and climate requirements). However, since the mid of the 20th century, the city has been challenged with new cultural, economic, and political forces causing radical transformation in its deep organizational urban structures and architectural features. Thus, the paper will include analysing the current structure of the traditional urban morphology of the Old City of Al-Najaf highlighting the major problems that are threatening its unique inherited architectural and urban characteristics. Despite the dramatic heritage loss in the city, there are many trajectories to protect the still existing parts of the historical center. The proposed vision is not to refuse the modernization of the city, but rather to embrace a rational urban preservation.