Attribution of Heritage Value in Islamic Architectural Features: A Data-Driven Approach Utilizing Expert Contributions

Eltawil, Aya; Eleishi, Alaa; Nasreldin, Tarek Ibrahim

doi:10.21608/jesaun.2025.391740.1536

Attribution of Heritage Value in Islamic Architectural Features: A Data-Driven Approach Utilizing Expert Contributions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Assistant Lecturer, Dept. of Arch. Eng., Mansoura Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology, Egypt.

² Assoc. Prof., Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt.

³ professor, Dept. of Arch. Eng., Cairo University, Egypt.

10.21608/jesaun.2025.391740.1536

Abstract

This study investigates the perceived correlation between Islamic architectural features (IAF) and architectural heritage values in Islamic architecture (AHVIA) via a systematic expert survey. The objective is to use statistics to see how different design features of Islamic architecture relate to important heritage standards, such as meaning, tradition, beauty, and historical importance. A purposeful sample of 50 specialists in architecture, restoration, and heritage assessed the relationships between 9 architectural elements and 14 categories of heritage value. Participants evaluated how nine different features of Islamic architecture—like the skyline, shape, traditional methods, and decorative designs—related to fourteen categories of heritage value. Responses were recorded using a four-point Likert-type scale, and the data were analyzed with simple statistics and charts to find common patterns of connection. The results show that people strongly believe some architectural features are closely linked to specific heritage values, emphasizing how Islamic architecture helps express cultural identity and shared history. By turning expert opinions into data that can be measured, this study provides valuable information that helps create design strategies focused on heritage in urban and architectural projects. The findings endorse initiatives that integrate traditional design principles with modern requirements in culturally significant manners.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Architecture Engineering and the Engineering Architectural Interior Design.

References

[1]

"Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy," The Metaphysics Research Lab, Department of Philosophy, Stanford University, [Online]. Available: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-theory/.

[2]

Avrami, E., Macdonald, S., Mason, R. and Myers, D. eds., 2019, Values in heritage management: Emerging approaches and research directions, Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute.

[3]

Bioumi, A. (2002), Al-Qiymat Al-Mi‘mariyah wa Al-Fann Al-Tashkili (Architectural Value and Fine Art), Dar Al-Ratib Al-Jami‘iyah, Beirut, Lebanon.

[4]

Assessing heritage significance, Guidelines for assessing places and objects against the Heritage Council of NSW criteria, 2023, Department of Planning and Environment.

[5]

Bassily, V., Abufarag, T. and Goubran, S., 2022, "Heritage Buildings’ Façades as Facilitators for Local Sustainable Development: The Case of Cairo’s El Korba Area," Heritage Journal, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 2689-2731.

[6]

A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Collaboration, Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, 2010, 2nd Edition.

[7]

Al-Sakkaf, A., Zayed, T. and Bagchi, A., 2020, "A review of definition and classification of heritage buildings and framework for their evaluation. Scientific Committee, p.194," in 2nd International Conference on New Horizons in Green Civil Engineering (NHICE-02), Victoria, BC, Canada.

[8]

D.N. Awaliyah, "Islamic architecture: Shaping cultural identity, fostering community cohesion, and promoting inclusivity," Journal of Islamic Art and Architecture (JIAA), vol. 1, no. 1, (2023), pp. 11-19.

[9]

F.A.A. Hassanein, M.N. Mustafa, "Inherited Values in Islamic Architecture in Egypt," Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanistic Sciences, vol. 40, no. 8, (2023), pp.762-781.

[10]

F. Zahra, S. Bin Shahir, "The Spiritual Aesthetics of Islamic Ornamentation and the Aesthetic Value in Islamic Architecture," Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, vol. 12, no. 1 (2022), pp. 116-128.

[11]

A. Gamal, N. Farghlaa, A.K.H. Nasr, "Aesthetics of architectural openings in Islamic architecture," Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanistic Sciences, vol. 30, no. 6, (2021), pp.18-34.

[12]

A. Bokhari, M. Hammad, D. J. A. M. E. L. Beggas, "Impact of Islamic values and concepts in architecture: A case study of Islamic communities," Proceedings of Sustainable Development and Planning XI 241 (2020), pp. 9-11.

[13]

A. Azad, "Islamic values in Islamic art," Astrolabe: A CIS Student Research Journal, vol. 1, (2020), pp.1-24.

[14]

Elmansoury, A. (2020), "An analytical study of the concepts and values of Islamic architecture with civilization continuity for Umm Al-Qura university Makkah Al-Mukarramah kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Journal of Al-Azhar University Engineering Sector, Vol. 15 No. 56, pp. 886-903.

[15]

R.S. El Din, O. Hashim, A. Hussein, "Reviving the architectural heritage values of Al-Aqmar Mosque as an architectural inherited and a source of inspiration for contemporary interior design," Journal of Design Sciences and Applied Arts, vol. 1, no. 1, (2020), pp.134-143..

[16]

R. Shaykh-Baygloo, "Beauty and Aesthetics in Islamic Architecture," Socio-Spatial Studies, vol. 2 no. 3, (2018), pp.14-19..

[17]

Hasan, M.I., Prabowo, B.N. and Mohidin, H. (2021), "An architectural review of privacy value in traditional Indonesian housings: Framework of locality-based on Islamic architecture design," Journal of Design and Built Environment, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 21-28.

[18]

Al-Dein, H. (2022), "Semiotics as an approach to the analysis of symbolism in islamic architectural arts," Architecture and Engineering, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp.3-19.

[19]

Nasser, N. (2022), "Beyond the veil of form: Developing a transformative approach toward Islamic sacred architecture through designing a contemporary Sufi centre," Religions, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp.190-225.

[20]

Abuorf H. and Wafi, S. (2020), "Continuity of the Past in Contemporary Architecture: Investigating a Cultural Continuity," International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science, vol. 5 no. 1, pp.288-294.

[21]

El-Daghar, K. (2022), "Conserving Symbolism in Architectural Heritage: Case Study Eloquence in Depicting Philosophical Ideas Inspired by the Principles of Islam on Islamic Architecture Through Ages," in Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI), 2nd Edition, Publisher: Springer, Cham (Springer Nature Switzerland AG), pp.109-124.

[22]

Mahvash, M. and Arghiani, M. (2020), "Islamic architecture from viewpoint of religious science," Journal of Architectural Thought, Vol. 4 No. 7, pp.1-13.

[23]

"Conservation principles: policies and guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment," the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England "Historic England", 2008.

[24]

El-Aishi, A. (2006), Aesthetic Values in Heritage Architecture in Egypt (An Analytical Study of the Architecture of Mansoura City), PHD thesis, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University.

[25]

Bokhari, A., Hammad, M. and Beggas, D. (2020), "Impact of Islamic values and concepts in architecture: A case study of Islamic communities," Proceedings of Sustainable Development and Planning XI Vol. 241, pp. 9-11.

[26]

Hillenbrand, R. (1994), Islamic Architecture: Form, Function, and Meaning, Columbia University Press, New York.

[27]

ICOMOS, A., 2013, "Understanding and Assessing Cultural Significance [Practice Note], The Burra Charter," Australia ICOMOS Inc., International Council of Monuments and Sites: Burwood, VIC, Australia.

[28]

Azad, A. (2020), "Islamic values in Islamic art," Astrolabe: A CIS Student Research Journal, vol. 1, pp.1-24.

[29]

Feilden, B.M. and Jokilehto, J. (1994), "Extracts from: Management guidelines for World Cultural Heritage," ICOMOS Scientific Journal, Vol. 3, pp. 76-79.

[30]

Hassanein, F. and Mustafa, M. (2023), "Inherited Values in Islamic Architecture in Egypt," Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanistic Sciences, Vol. 40 No. 8, pp.762-781.

[31]

Mansour, S. and Ahmed, D. (2020), "The Impact of Human Values on Islamic Architecture A Comparative study of Neighborhood rights and its impact on Islamic Architecture," International Design Journal, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp.233-240.

[32]

Kalin, I. (2011), "Religion, unity and diversity," Philosophy & Social Criticism, Vol. 37 No. 4, pp. 471-478.

[33]

Khalil, K.F. and Wahid, J. (2013), "The proportional relations systems of Islamic architecture," International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp.1-12.

[34]

Mahdy, H. (2020), "The human scale in Islamic civilization and its role in enriching society with spiritual and artistic values in light of cultural changes in the modern era," Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanistic Sciences, Special Issue, pp.1143-1157.

[35]

Ashtawi, J. (2022), "Islamic Architecture," Jerash Journal for Research & Studies, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 1849-1866.

[36]

Awaliyah, D.N. (2023), "Islamic architecture: Shaping cultural identity, fostering community cohesion, and promoting inclusivity," Journal of Islamic Art and Architecture (JIAA), Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 11-19.

[37]

ElSorady, D.A. and Rizk, S.M. (2020), "LEED v4. 1 operations & maintenance for existing buildings and compliance assessment: Bayt Al-Suhaymi, Historic Cairo," Alexandria Engineering Journal, Vol. 59 No.1, pp. 519-531.

[38]

Dhannoon, A.A. (2021), "Water Elements in Islamic Architectures," Internetional Trasaction Journal of Engineering, Manegment & Applied Sciences & Technologies, Vol. 12 No. 11, pp.1-13.

[39]

Faiella, G. (2005), The Technology of Mesopotamia (The Technology of the Ancient World), The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc..

[40]

Almaimani, A. and Nawari, N.O. (2016), "BIM-Driven Library for Islamic Arch," in Proc. of the 33rd CIB W78 Conference, Oct. 31st – Nov. 2nd, Brisbane, Australia, p.8.

[41]

Elkhateeb, A.A. (2012), "Domes in the islamic architecture of Cairo city: a mathematical approach. Architecture," Systems Research and Computational Sciences, pp.151-176.

[42]

DIAB S (2020), "Elements of islamic architectural heritage: Minaret," WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, 197, pp.167-178.

[43]

Shafiq J (2014), "Architectural Elements in Islamic Ornamentation: New Vision in Contemporary Islamic Art," Arts and Design Studies IISTE, Vol. 21, pp.11-21.

[44]

Gamal, A., Farghlaa, N. and Nasr, A. (2021), "Aesthetics of architectural openings in Islamic architecture," Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanistic Sciences, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 18-34.

[45]

Alhuseini, M.F., Altammam, G.A., AlSehaimi, B.R., Bettaieb, D.M., Alawad, A.A. and Tarim, K.J. (2023), "Conceptual inspiration from heritage: the design philosophy surrounding the Saudi Arabian Rowshan," City, Territory and Architecture, Vol. 10 No. 1, p.20.

[46]

Shafiq, J. (2014), "Architectural Elements in Islamic Ornamentation: New Vision in Contemporary Islamic Art," Arts and Design Studies IISTE, Vol. 21, pp. 11-21.

[47]

Fouad, S., Mandour, A. and Mohammed, S. (2021), "The development of the principles of the Elements of Islamic architectural by using parametric algorithms," Engineering Research Journal, Vol. 170, pp.104-122.