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Discussion of the Doctoral Thesis in the Department of Architecture Titled: "Cosmic Pluralism and the Formation of Challenging Architecture"
Written by hindOn Thursday, October 31, 2024, the doctoral thesis of the student (Ziad Nimer Ajeel) was discussed, titled "Cosmic Plurality and Forming the Architecture of Challenges." The thesis addressed the role of cosmic pluralism in shaping architecture that can respond to challenges. Cosmic pluralism serves as the intellectual foundation for the new cosmic model of architecture, which responds to the conflict between the higher values of the universe as an intellectual stimulus and human values as governing concepts.
The research aimed to establish a balanced and integrated relationship between humanity and the cosmos, based on a new perspective of the universe, thereby laying the groundwork for the Survival Architecture Theory. The study emphasized survival as a resilience strategy that transforms architecture from a singular level—characterized by fragmentation, weakness, and inability to face challenges—to a cosmic level (in terms of survival), encompassing both physical and moral sustainability for achieving enduring survival.
Survival, with its flexible nature, forms the intellectual and strategic foundation for managing the challenges faced by architecture from various disaster risks, organized into three phases: before the disaster, during the disaster, and after the disaster. The research adopted survival as a strategy for managing global heritage in Southern Iraq (the Marshes and the Ziggurat of Ur) in confronting challenges and risks, aiming to develop a practical research methodology that enhances the resilience of these sites against both natural and human-made disasters, in addition to contributing to the development of surrounding areas and promoting the concept of "Survival Architecture."
The discussion committee comprised esteemed professors:
- Prof. Dr. Abbas Ali Hamza - Chair
- Prof. Dr. Abdullah Saadoun Salman - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Zainab Hussein Raouf - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Inas Salem Abdul Ahad - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Zuhair Abdul Azim Nassar - Member
- Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Jawad Kazem - Supervising Member
We wish the researcher and all our graduate students success and achievement.
Discussion of the Doctoral Thesis Titled: "The Role of Urban Branding Strategies in City Popularity"
Written by hindOn Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the doctoral thesis of the student (Sherin Kamel Zidan) was discussed, titled "The Role of Urban Branding Strategies in City Popularity." The research embodies the concept of popularity as the opinions, beliefs, and general perceptions towards a city, thus representing a valuable resource for urban areas. The study focused on examining the phenomenon of popularity as a general framework for research.
The research adopted a Critical Realism approach, encompassing three levels: Empirical, Actual, and Real. The first phase (Empirical level) involved gathering impressions and general perceptions about the phenomenon through an exploratory study of the key indicators and dimensions that engaged the audience concerning the topic of popularity in Baghdad at both local and global levels. The research identified the unobservable structures causing Baghdad's popularity, represented by the mental and emotional associations tied to the city's branding.
The second level (Actual level) of the research methodology involved constructing mechanisms that generate the phenomenon of popularity by exploring approaches and strategies for urban branding. The research identified several approaches to warrant branding within the city.
The third level (Real level) of the research methodology involved creating three hypothetical conceptual models, illustrating the derivation of branding strategies and their relational connection with urban branding strategies, as well as the effectiveness of urban branding and the characteristics of intellectual development leading to the emergence of popularity. This was applied to selected cities: Tokyo in the first model, Barcelona in the second, and finally, the application of the final conceptual model to the branding of Baghdad within the Comprehensive Development Plan for Baghdad 2030.
The future impacts of the study suggest that understanding these models can guide future urban development strategies not only in Baghdad but also in other emerging cities worldwide. The exploration of the branding approaches in the city illustrates how urban branding strategies can create a unique identity for cities. These approaches address not only immediate urban challenges but also position the city as a model for future developments in initiatives of the world’s most popular cities.
The discussion committee consisted of esteemed professors:
- Prof. Dr. Widad Shukr Mahmoud - Chair
- Prof. Dr. Susan Abdul Hassan - Member
- Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdul Ali Rashid - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Mufeed Ihsan Al-Shouk - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Nada Abdul-Mu'een Hassan - Member
- Prof. Dr. Asma Mohammed Hussein Abdul Razak - Member and Supervisor
We wish the researcher and all our graduate students success and achievement.
Discussion of the Doctoral Thesis Titled: "Management of External Spaces in the Historical Urban Context"
Written by hindOn Monday, October 28, 2024, the doctoral thesis of the student (Nada Khalil Al-Ali) was discussed, titled "Management of External Spaces in the Historical Urban Context." The research focused on the management of heritage and historical areas, reviewing previous studies on the management of these regions that advocated for the sustainable preservation of urban external spaces.
The thesis presented an overview of the concept of change management, including its methodologies, approaches, levels, and models for engaging with individuals, institutions, and administrative structures. A model was developed that includes three sequential phases of change management: (1) unfreezing, followed by (2) changing, and finally (3) refreezing. The concept of "tars" was chosen as a key element in the studies because it addresses historical layers, which aligns well with the research on historical urban external spaces that consist of overlapping layers of cultural and natural values and characteristics. Therefore, it was necessary to explore this concept and its indicators in relation to change management for historical urban external spaces.
The research concluded with a model that relies on the three strategies of tars and their mechanisms, based on the change management model, to preserve the values of historical urban external spaces. Additionally, it explored the possibility of implementing and benefiting from this model at a local level, specifically in one of Baghdad's historical urban sites, represented by Al-Mutanabbi Street. The goal was to develop a comprehensive vision for how to achieve change management for historical urban external spaces at this site, through the strategies of tars within the change management model, and to understand how to achieve transitional urban change management across its four levels, including individuals, institutions, and organizational structures.
Finally, the thesis presented the concluding findings related to both the theoretical and practical frameworks, as well as final recommendations and the potential beneficiaries of the proposed future research.
The discussion committee consisted of esteemed professors:
- Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Jawad Kazem - Chair
- Prof. Dr. Widad Shukr Al-Hinkawi - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Dhurgham Mazhar Karim - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Mufeed Ihsan Al-Shouk - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Nada Abdul-Mu'een - Member
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Rawaa Fawzi Naoum - Supervising Member
We wish the researcher and all our graduate students success and achievement.
Discussion of the master's thesis titled "Neuroarchitecture: Between Theory and Application."
Written by hindThe research focused on "neuroarchitecture," which relies on neural networks in the design process, allowing for the exploration of multiple possibilities to generate new designs. Through the analysis of previous studies, a knowledge gap was identified regarding the need to organize information on how to apply neural networks in architectural design, particularly at the local level. The goal of the research was to provide clear and organized knowledge on how to use these tools to facilitate their application by architectural designers.
The research followed two approaches: the first was descriptive, analyzing previous studies to identify the main aspects of neuroarchitecture; the second was experimental, where artificial neural networks and AI tools were applied to a local dataset that included the designs and texts of architect Rifat Al-Jaderji. The results showed that each artificial neural network and tool had a different approach to handling data, and the capabilities of these tools greatly depend on the quality and quantity of the data used.
Regarding design generation from texts, the research found that the nature of the input texts significantly affects the outputs. Abstract texts generate creative designs, while clear and directed texts help produce more realistic designs. Based on these results, recommendations and future visions were presented to expand the use of artificial intelligence in architecture, enhancing innovation and sustainability in the local architectural sector.
The discussion committee consisted of esteemed professors:
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Zainab Hussein Raouf … Chair
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Walid Hashim … Member
- Dr. Nagham Ahmed Jassem … Member
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Anwar Sobhi Ramadan … Member and Supervisor
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Zuhair Abdul-Azeem Nassar … Member and Supervisor
We wish the researcher and all our graduate students success and prosperity.
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Discussion of the master's thesis titled "The Impact of Intellectual Transformations on Interior Design: A Case Study of Local Architecture (1921-1958)."
Written by hindThe study concluded with the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework applied to selected samples (the interior spaces of elite homes during the research period), after being documented and described accurately by the researcher. These were compared with traditional houses (as a reference) to identify the prevailing characteristics and elements of the selected samples.
The results confirmed that interior design was influenced by the intellectual transformations and their political, economic, and social factors during that period, integrating the external design aspects as highlighted in previous studies for the same period. The interior designs of that era were characterized by the influence of modernism, which had a significant impact on the simplicity of the interior spaces. Generally, the dominant style was closed layouts with some openings to balconies as a new element. The spaces were marked by elegant, straight, and symmetrical lines, featuring white surfaces and flat ceilings devoid of ornamentation.
The discussion committee consisted of esteemed professors:
- Prof. Dr. Abbas Ali Hamza Al-Kurayza … Chair
- Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdul Ali Rashid … Member
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Barizat Qasim Hussein Fahmi … Member
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Shamael Muhammad Wajih Al-Dabbagh … Member and Supervisor
Participation in master's thesis discussion committees
Written by hindOn Thursday, September 19, 2024, faculty member (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haidar Jassem Issa) participated in the discussion of the master's thesis by student Jwan Jabbar Jumaa, titled "Activating Blue-Green Infrastructure along Urban Riverbanks," in the presence of the esteemed Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad, Prof. Dr. Ghassan Hamid Abdul Majid.
The thesis highlighted a vital and contemporary topic addressing the integration of blue and green infrastructure in urban environments, focusing on areas adjacent to rivers. The work emphasizes the importance of this infrastructure in tackling environmental challenges such as urban heat islands, climate change, and water management. The thesis is distinguished by its in-depth analysis and detailed study of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of this sustainable approach to urban planning.
The discussion committee consisted of:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Durgham Mazhar Al-Abidi (Chair)
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haidar Jassem Issa (Member)
- Dr. Hisham Ala Hussein (Member)
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amjad Mahmoud Abdullah (Member and Supervisor)
After the scientific discussion led by the committee members and listening to the defense of the researcher, the researcher was awarded a master's degree in Architectural Engineering.
Discussion of the master's thesis titled "The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Buildings."
Written by hindOn Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the master's thesis of student Khaled Abdul Razzaq Karoun, titled "The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Buildings," was discussed. The thesis explored how to use information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the performance of building envelopes in terms of thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing occupant comfort. Additionally, it addressed the role of smart systems in building management and the sustainable control of natural resource consumption.
The literature related to ICT and modern technologies used in building design and management was reviewed, along with case studies of smart buildings that rely on ICT systems. The results indicated that the use of ICT significantly enhances building performance and reduces carbon emissions. Smart envelope technologies and advanced building management systems can lower energy consumption and improve the sustainability of buildings in changing climate conditions.
The scientific contribution of the thesis lies in developing sustainable technologies and solutions based on ICT that align with local environmental characteristics and climate conditions. The research focuses on adapting global technologies related to smart envelopes and smart building management to meet local needs, including climate challenges such as rising temperatures and energy consumption in buildings. By studying ICT applications in this context, the research aims to provide effective locally implementable solutions to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, thereby supporting sustainability in the local construction sector.
The discussion committee consisted of esteemed professors:
- Prof. Dr. Abdullah Saadoun Salman … Chair
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haidar Ibrahim Alawi … Member
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inas Salem Abdul Ahad … Member
- Dr. Yahya Adel Ibrahim … Member and Supervisor
We wish the researcher and all our graduate students success and prosperity.
