loader image
Back

Souk al-Saqatiyya Rehabilitation Project

Aleppo, Syria

2018 - 2019
Cultural HeritagePilot ProjectPost-conflict ReconstructionSouk
Download
Share

Project Description

Approach Words: City Identity, Heritage Preservation, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

The Souk al-Saqatiyya rehabilitation project is a post-war rehabilitation project in Aleppo, Syria1. As a pilot project within the Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s (AKTC) broader initiativeii to rehabilitate the historic central Souk in the Old City2 i, it stands as the first completed project in Aleppo’s post-war rehabilitation process3.

Dating back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, Souk al-Saqatiyya is a historical alley stretching along a length of 150 meters and consisting of 52 shops4. Souk al-Saqatiyya was renowned for its unique architectural and cultural value and central position within the central souk of Aleppo5. Despite sustaining considerable damage during the war, most of its structure remained intact.

Title: Souk al-Saqatiyya’s location (red line) within Aleppo

Source: Click Here

Title: Souk al-Saqatiyya after renovation

Source: Click Here

Title: Souk al-Saqatiyya before renovation

Source: Click Here

Title: Souk al-Saqatiyya after renovation

Source: Click Here

The post-war rehabilitation project addresses various social and engineering challenges related to the Souq:

  • Establishing ownership and previous use rights6;
  • Re-establishing the integrity of partially damaged roofs and vaults, while respecting the heritage regulations in this UNESCO World Heritage Site7. Here, the restoration/ reconstruction involved the conservation of the souk’s structure, including the vaulted roof and central passageway8;
  • Rehabilitation of 3 selected shops, showcasing possible finishing styles9.

Moreover, the project’s goal extends beyond physical restoration; it aims to create a critical mass within the central Souk that will stimulate public and private initiatives in other areas of the Souk, which is vital for the social and economic revival of the city10.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) 17

Owner/Developer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 18

Consultant/Designer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 19

Dar Architects 20

Funder

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 21

Contractor/Implementer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)22

Owner/Developer (Public)

Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) 17

Owner/Developer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 18

Contractor/Implementer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)22

Funder

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 21

Consultant/Designer

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) 19

Dar Architects 20

The project was implemented through three key phases:

  • Pre-Construction Phase [2016-2018]: Initial surveys to establish baselines for rehabilitation, which led to the selection of Souk al-Saqatiyya as a pilot project 11.
  • Construction Phase [2018-2019]: The work on Souk al-Saqatiyya lasted eight months and was completed in July 2019. Post-construction, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Syria developed a ‘Specifications Booklet’ for future rehabilitation projects within the souks.
  • Post-construction [2019-ongoing]: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, AKTC expanded the project to include the rehabilitation of connecting arteries 12.

The project was initiated in late 2018 by the AKTC following the selection of Souk al-Saqatiyya as a pilot case in AKTC’s broader initiative to rehabilitate Aleppo’s central Souk13. Work was carried out in collaboration with UNESCO, the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), the Governorate and Aleppo City Council, and the Syrian Trust for Development14. The design was done in collaboration with Syrian studio Dar Architects, with a budget of $400,000 15/sup>. In November 2020, the Souk al-Saqatiyya project was awarded with the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Best Practice in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab region16.

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Related Publications

footerpdf