Spatial Configuration and Urban Identity: Analysing Cultural Change in Mardin’s Madrasas
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Abstract
Mardin is famous for its extensive historical and cultural heritage, which includes numerous madrasas that were important architectural and educational institutions in Islamic civilisation.. This study investigatesthe interior organisation of three madrasas in Mardin—Sehidiye, Zinciriye, and Kasımiye—using a spatial syntax approach. The innovative aspect of this study is that it approaches the madrasas in Mardin using both a comparative typological analysis and a quantitative spatial syntax method based on socio-cultural changes. Thus, going beyond traditional interpretations, the analysis was based on numerical data to examine how the space was organised in terms of user behaviour, accessibility, and privacy. The results reveal that the construction of religious environments with increasing spatial depth reflects dominant social traditions and ensures user accessibility. The circulation areas in the three madrasas, which reflect a clearly defined movement hierarchy that encourages organised access and interaction, have the best integration scores. The higher control scores, particularly in these areas, indicate an architectural aim to manage spatial experiences within the complex. This study underlines the importance of including spatial analysis methods in heritage conservation and architectural discussion, revealing previously unknown aspects of the relation between space, culture, and society.
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