Makkah: City of self-identity and inspiration

Abstract

This study highlights the duty of individuals and the community, rather than organizations, to preserve a city’s heritage and identity. It underlines important facts about Makkah as one of the world’s major historical and religious cities. The analysis reflects upon an academic journey to appreciate and conserve the city’s identity. It is a story of ‘Being Inspired and Being an Inspiration’ through education. On the one hand, ‘Being Inspired’ stresses a personal understanding of preserving the identity of Makkah and its architectural heritage. It is a narrative of the female view and experience through culture, architecture and art. Diversely, ‘Being an Inspiration’ is demonstrated via academic case studies and chronological documentation that mirrors historical stages of the city. It is a pioneering piece about the female experience, documenting the story of one of the first female graduates of architecture in Saudi, and the outcomes of teaching and identity in higher education.