Aleppo City: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow : an ancient and modern city of the Eastern Mediterranean

Ground figure map credit: Brandenburgische Technische Universitat

University of Dundee / DJCAD

In collaboration with

Yilidiz Technical University (Turkey) and Urban Design Group Scotland

Friday 24th of February between 14:15pm- 16:15pm (UK Time)

Venue: This hybrid event (In Person at Dalhousie Building 2G11 LT4 Univesity of Dundee and Online) is free for all but registration is required using the link

University of Dundee/ DJCAD in collaboration with Yilidiz Technical University (Turkey) and Urban Design Group are delighted to convene a special international event to explore the historical role of Aleppo City, including its role beyond commercial activities, by tracing their consistent presence until the Syrian conflict reached Aleppo in 2012. The event is also concerned with the post-conflict rehabilitation process of the city and its markets. This event will welcome Dr. Mahmoud Zin Alabadin, lecturer at the Yilidiz Technical University- Faculty of Architecture, and Dr. Husam AlWaer, Reader in Architecture and Urbanism at DJCAD. We will hear of their recent research on the historical role of Aleppo and its current rehabilitation process, highlighting the need for a clear rehabilitation and reconstruction practice and policy, in addition to promoting local community participation in decision-making to support the crucial role of Aleppo in revitalizing the city’s socio- cultural and economic strength.

About the Speakers:

The Architecture of Aleppo City: From destruction to reconstruction

Dr. Mahmoud Zin Alabadin is lecturer at the Yilidiz Technical University faculty of architecture in Turkey and Visiting scholar at The University of St Andrews– School of Classics, Scotland, United Kingdom. He is interested in the İslamic and The Ottoman Architecture in Middle east. He worked on a several preservation and restoration projects of historical buildings in Syria. He researched on reconstruction plans of Aleppo City and as a consultant in Culture Heritage at İnternational Concil on Monuntes and Sites (ICOMOS). He wrote several architectural books like: "City of Aleppo and its Traditional Houses". He received a number of awards like Sheikh Zayed Award from Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Hheritage, Award of The Organization of Islamic Cities and Capitals Award of Arab Towns Organization and The FONDAZIONE SANTAGATA AWARD: SPECIAL MENTION for Project: "Aleppo – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", İtaly. 

The Origins and Evolution of Aleppo
Dr Husam AlWaer, University of Dundee, School of Art and Design
Dr AlWaer is an urbanist, with a background in architecture, urban planning and sustainability. He is currently Reader in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Dundee and has worked with various UK and International governmental and corporate agencies on research, training and engagement projects. His interests include the past and future of sustainable places, towns and cities, and in particular the development of new approaches to sustainable urbanism. Husam is an award-winning author with published work on a wide range of subjects from architecture, urbanism, sustainability, and healthy neighbourhoods to the specifics of placemaking facilitation and performance evaluation. He brings insight to research, teaching, community stakeholder engagement and professional practice at the intersection between historical, theoretical, and contemporary policy and practice. He is a member of the Urban Design Group Executive, and honorary chief editor of the Urban Design and Planning journal.