The role of urban fabric in climate adaptation to achieve a resilient urban city: Sulaymaniyah city as a case study

Volume 12 , Issue 2 , April 2026

Authors

soma rafat abubaker 1 ; Raz Saeed Faraj Faraj 2

1 University of Sulaimani, College of Engineering , Architecture Engineering Department, KR, Iraq

2 University of Sulaimani, College of Engineering , Architecture Engineering Department, KR, Iraq

DOI logo 10.17656/sjes.10209

Keywords

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to establish an empirically based, interdisciplinary framework that integrates vernacular urban morphology with climateresponsive technological interventions to enhance resilience, sustainability, and community engagement in developing urban centers, using Sulaymaniyah as a case study, using a mixedmethods approach, this study investigates Sulaymaniyahs urban fabric and climate resilience Climate, social, and urban features were evaluated by field surveys in Sabwnkaran and Mallkandy, an expert input on resilience tactics was acquired using questionnaires Traditional, contemporary, and integrated solutions were assessed, along with implementation challenges and adaption tactics, using descriptiveanalytical techniques with Excel and SPSS Both quantitative and qualitative analysis were assisted by visual and spatial technologies such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, photography, and satellite images Structured expert interviews supported conclusions and directed useful, situationspecific suggestions for resilient and sustainable urban development in Sulaymaniyah This was achieved through a detailed study of selected neighborhoods within the Sabwnkran and Mallkandi districts, analyzing their key urban characteristics in terms of building materials, building orientation, heighttostreet width ratio, ratio of open and built spaces, ratio of green spaces, winding and straight streets, and ratio of shade and trees This analysis provided a general understanding of the traditional strategies employed and evidence of how these strategies could be enhanced with technological additions

References

  1. [1] Ahmed, T., Kumar, P., & Mottet, L. (2021). Natural ventilation in warm climates: The challenges of thermal comfort, heatwave resilience and indoor air quality. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 138, 110669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110669
  2. [2] Alahwal, M. M., Aboeinen, O. M., & Mohamed, A. N. (2017). Achieving energy performance in buildings using natural ventilation as a passive cooling technique (Housing building in Port Said as case study). [Journal Name], 21(2), xx–xx.
  3. [3] Ali, A. (2013). Passive cooling and vernacularism in Mughal buildings in North India: A source of inspiration for sustainable development. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, 4(1), 15–27. http://tuengr.com/V04/015-027.pdf
  4. [4] Alotaibi, B. S., Khalifa, K. R. M., Abuhussain, M. A., Dodo, Y. A., Alshenaifi, M., Yahuza, M. S., Algamadi, M., Al-Tamimi, N., Maghrabi, A., & Abba, S. I. (2023). Integrating renewable-based solar energy into sustainable and resilient urban furniture coupled with a logical multi-comparison study of Cyprus and Saudi Arabia. Processes, 11(10), 2887. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102887
  5. [5] Altomonte, S. (2008). Climate change and architecture: Mitigation and adaptation strategies for sustainable development. [Publisher].
  6. [6] Bühler, M., Hollenbach, P., Köhler, L., & Armstrong, R. (2024). Unlocking resilience and sustainability with earth-based materials: A principled framework for urban transformation. Frontiers in Built Environment, 10, Article 1385116. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1385116
  7. [7] Chatzidimitriou, A., & Yannas, S. (2017). Street canyon design and improvement potential for urban open spaces: The influence of canyon aspect ratio and orientation on microclimate and outdoor comfort. Sustainable Cities and Society, 33, 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.05.019
  8. [8] Eldesoky, A. H., & Abdeldayem, W. S. (2023). Disentangling the relationship between urban form and urban resilience: A systematic literature review. Urban Science, 7(3), Article 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci7030093
  9. [9] Emmerich, S. J., Dols, W. S., & Axley, J. W. (2001). Natural ventilation review and plan for design and analysis tools. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  10. [10] Feyisa, G. L., Dons, K., & Meilby, H. (2014). Efficiency of parks in mitigating urban heat island effect: An example from Addis Ababa. Landscape and Urban Planning, 123, 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.12.008
  11. [11] Genadt, A. (2020). Three lessons from Japan on architectural resilience. Architectural Histories, 7(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.5334/ah.393
  12. [12] Hermida, M. A., Cobo, D., & Neira, C. (2019). Challenges and opportunities of urban fabrics for sustainable planning in Cuenca (Ecuador). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 290(1), 012118. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/290/1/012118
  13. [13] IPCC. (2014). Climate change 2014: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Part A: Global and sectoral aspects. Cambridge University Press.
  14. [14] IPCC. (2022). Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
  15. [15] Jabareen, Y. R. (2006). Sustainable urban forms: Their typologies, models, and concepts. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 26(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X05285119
  16. [16] Kropf, K. (2014). Morphological investigations: Cutting into the substance of urban form. Built Environment, 40(3), 393–408.
  17. [17] Meerow, S., Newell, J. P., & Stults, M. (2016). Defining urban resilience: A review. Landscape and Urban Planning, 147, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.11.011
  18. [18] Moussa, R. R. (2019). The effect of piezo-bumps on energy generation and reduction of the global carbon emissions. WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 15, 430–437.
  19. [19] Pérez-Lombard, L., Ortiz, J., & Pout, C. (2008). A review on buildings energy consumption information. Energy and Buildings, 40(3), 394–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.03.007
  20. [20] Ribeiro, P. J. G., & Pena Jardim Gonçalves, L. A. (2019). Urban resilience: A conceptual framework. Sustainable Cities and Society, 50, 101625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101625
  21. [21] Setälä, H., Viippola, V., Rantalainen, A.-L., Pennanen, A., & Yli-Pelkonen, V. (2013). Does urban vegetation mitigate air pollution in northern conditions? Environmental Pollution, 183, 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.11.010
  22. [22] Sharifi, A., & Yamagata, Y. (2018). Resilient urban form: A conceptual framework. In Y. Yamagata & A. Sharifi (Eds.), Resilience-oriented urban planning (Lecture Notes in Energy, Vol. 65). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75798-8_9
  23. [23] Sharifi, A. (2019). Resilient urban forms: A review of literature on streets and street networks. Building and Environment, 147, 171–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.09.040
  24. [24] Sijakovic, M., & Peric, A. (2020). Sustainable architectural design: Towards climate change mitigation. Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 15(2), 385–400. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-05-2020-0097
  25. [25] Skoulika, F., Santamouris, M., Kolokotsa, D., & Boemi, N. (2014). On the thermal characteristics and the mitigation potential of a medium size urban park in Athens, Greece. Landscape and Urban Planning, 123, 73–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.11.002
  26. [26] Tazmeen, T., & Mir, F. Q. (2024). Sustainability through materials: A review of green options in construction. Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, 14, 100206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsurfi.2024.100206
  27. [27] Van de Walle, A., Kim, M., Alam, M. K., Wang, X., Wu, D., Dash, S. R., Rabaey, K., & Kim, J. (2023). Greywater reuse as a key enabler for improving urban wastewater management. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 16, 100277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2023.100277
  28. [28] Weiller, C., & Neely, A. (2014). Using electric vehicles for energy services: Industry perspectives. Energy, 77, 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.06.066
  29. [29] Wilby, R. L. (2007). A review of climate change impacts on the built environment. Built Environment, 33(1), 31–45. https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.33.1.31
  30. [30] Younger, M., Morrow-Almeida, H. R., Vindigni, S. M., & Dannenberg, A. L. (2008). The built environment, climate change, and health: Opportunities for co-benefits. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35(5), 517–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2008.08.017
Statistics
  • Article view58
  • Downloads8
  • Published at12 April 2026

  • RIS
  • BibTeX
  • EndNote
  • Mendeley
  • APA (7th edition)
  • MLA (9th edition)
  • Chicago
  • Harvard
  • IEEE
  • Vancouver