| المستخلص: |
Urban spaces are main elements of the special structure of cities. They serve the community functionally, visually, socially and symbolically. The role of urban spaces is defining and highlighting the identity and local context of the city and reflecting civic pride of place for the people. They are not merely functional containers but rather they are symbols of cities around the world age by age. Hearts of ancient towns and cities were usually unified around public spaces which gained unique spatial and functional characters. Distinguished examples more importantly possessed historical significance and continued as special models of urban design and configuration like the Greek Agora, the Roman Forum and the Rahbah in Islamic cities. With their exceptional spatial characters and architectural design elements urban spaces in historic city centers represent genius locus which play an important role in shaping the cognitive images of these historic cities. What is very crucial at this point is to unveil the secrets of these extraordinary meanings and perceptions of these historic urban spaces and to represent them in terms of well defined urban design principles. Palestine square in Gaza, Palestine is the largest urban space in the city and in Gaza Strip in general. It is in the heart of Gaza old town and represent the main western gat for it. It underwent drastic changes through a prolonged history of neglect and urban deterioration which seriously damaged its character as important genius-loci in the city. This research examines the visual characteristics of the square and its spatial urban structure using principles of visual design as means to uncover its strengths and weaknesses. It represents an attempt to revive the genius qualities of the square and its important role in shaping the cognitive image of the pride of the traditional architecture of Gaza.
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