Spatial characteristics of semi-detached historical areas and their impact on visitors' turnout (Analytical study of the Citadel of Salah El-Din in Cairo using the Space Syntax Theory)

Abstract

Historic areas occupy the pinnacle of global interest because of the historical and social values they contain that reflect the history of human civilization, which gives them an economic weight that helps preserve the historical character of the urban void. Where the urban fabric of those areas affects their ability to attract large numbers of visitors and, consequently, the economic return to them. This is because the traffic path of visitors is affected by the spatial properties of the urban fabric, which is reflected in the turnout and the length of the visit period, where the turnout of users is one of the most important criteria that shows strengths and the weakness of the region, and thus help in limiting the problems of those regions and developing them in a way that ensures the preservation of the historical. The research uses the space syntax theory to find out the spatial properties of the area under study and determine its impact on the behavior of visitors by converting the spatial properties into a quantitative form that helps in limiting the spatial problems and better identifying the solution proposals through the use of the depth map program. The research focused on studying the characteristics of semi-separate historical areas, which are characterized by an independent fabric with clear characteristics and chose the area of Salah El-Din Castle as one of the distinguished models architecturally, planning and historically, with the aim of identifying the problems and characteristics of semi-separate historical areas that affect the efficiency of the visit.