Participatory action research as a tool in solving desert vernacular architecture problems in the Western Desert of Egypt
Author
Summary, in English
Vernacular architecture is suffering all over the world and Egypt is one of the countries where the desert vernacular is facing a great risk of disappearance. The aim of the research is to introduce a methodological approach applying participatory action research (PAR) as a tool to help save the future of the currently deteriorating desert vernacular architecture. The aim was to help prevent further loss of desert vernacular architecture knowledge and to encourage vernacular know-how in becoming a living part of future building practices. To benefit from local know-how, a desert vernacular model house was constructed using PAR methods that engaged the local community throughout the design and building phases. The model house was constructed based on an understanding of desert vernacular architecture as well as of the urban fabric and building technology. The town of Balat in the Western Desert of Egypt was chosen as a location for this research work application. As this is an international problem the research developed several techniques within PAR, applied in a flexible way, giving the opportunity for further application in similar vernacular settlements suffering from similar problems.
Department/s
Publishing year
2013
Language
English
Pages
279-298
Publication/Series
Action Research
Volume
11
Issue
3
Full text
- Available as PDF - 805 kB
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Document type
Journal article
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Topic
- Civil Engineering
Keywords
- Balat
- community participation
- desert vernacular model
- participatory
- action research
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1476-7503