Promoting the preservation of urban heritage ornamentations within a sustainable development framework: (A documentary & analysis study for houses in the Monarchy era)

Sustainable development of heritage and historical buildings requires the application of rehabilitation concepts and trends that integrate authenticity with modernity. This approach aims to produce architectural creativity that aligns with contemporary values while ensuring the continuity of Baghdad’s historical and cultural identity. The levels of heritage preservation vary based on the heritage’s size, type, and importance, including the preservation of heritage elements and the maintenance of individual buildings through restoration and renovation. This research aims to study and analyze the architectural ornamentations in residential units in the Adhamiya area in Baghdad during the royal period (1921-1958), focusing on the aesthetic and artistic aspects of these ornamentations which are considered part of the city’s architectural identity. The research highlights the importance of preserving heritage buildings in Baghdad by applying sustainable rehabilitation concepts that combine authenticity and modernity while preserving the cultural and historical values of the area. The research addresses the knowledge gap related to documenting and analyzing architectural ornamentations during the Monarchy period, as previous studies did not focus sufficiently on the meanings of these ornamentations or the artistic methods used in decorating residential buildings. The research adopted multiple methods, each enriching a different aspect of the study. The results showed that the ornamentations in the houses of Adhamiya reflect social wealth, as the intricate ornamentations indicate the status of the owners of the houses. The ornamentations also vary between geometric and Vegetal patterns, with limited use of calligraphy texts. The study confirms that these decorations show hybrid influences that combine the colonial character and the traditional Islamic character, reflecting the different cultural influences that shaped the identity of this region.