Intangible patterns in real space: using social science methods to enhance urban research in Egypt

Abstract

While discussing form, function and energy has its value, it must be remembered that architecture is for humans. All significance, meaning and worth are for and determined by humans. As such, using methodologies from the social sciences can enhance architectural research by grounding it in approaches designed to study humans. To illustrate this, an example will be used from the author's investigation on the changes in retail space in 20th century Alexandria, Egypt. Because of the methods employed, the author discovered several patterns of usage which were contrary to expectations. Two of these findings will be highlighted to show the benefits of a combined methodological approach. First, the character of this central city cannot simply be defined as declining because the social data shows an increase in usage and density. Second, the women's market addresses the need for female privacy not only through the architectural design but also through the patterns spatial usage.