A century of Jordanian architecture: narrating the development of the nation

Janset Shawash; Noor Marji; Narmeen Marji

doi:10.1108/ARCH-07-2021-0205

A century of Jordanian architecture: narrating the development of the nation

Janset Shawash, Noor Marji, Narmeen Marji

Computing Sciences

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Abstract

Purpose: As the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrates its first centenary, this paper presents a critical reading of the development of architecture in the Kingdom reflecting the transformation of national identity. Design/methodology/approach: The paper achieves this aim by performing an analytical diachronic survey of the main architectural styles and trends that emerged in Jordan and links the architectural styles and trends to four main historical periods that characterize the national temporal trajectory, supported by examples of buildings, projects and architects that represent each period. Findings: The results show the impacts of different forms of architectural modernism on local practice and explore attempts to create a national architectural identity that range in their ideological drive from Pan-Arabism to Jordanian localism. Originality/value: The research adds to the discourse on Arab cities and architecture and shows the development of architectural trends in an Arab Muslim country, focusing on the interaction of architectural modernism with local variables. The research aims to supplement literature on Arab architecture with a critical and nuanced historical account of Jordanian architecture in the English language to serve a global audience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	323-342
Journal	ARCHNET-IJAR: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH
Volume	17
Issue number	2
Early online date	2 Jun 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-07-2021-0205
Publication status	Published - 2023
Publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

Arab cities
Architectural history
Architectural style
Built environment
Jordan
National identity

Publication forum classification

Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Architecture
Urban Studies

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10.1108/ARCH-07-2021-0205

A century of Jordanian architecture
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Cite this

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title = "A century of Jordanian architecture: narrating the development of the nation",

abstract = "Purpose: As the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrates its first centenary, this paper presents a critical reading of the development of architecture in the Kingdom reflecting the transformation of national identity. Design/methodology/approach: The paper achieves this aim by performing an analytical diachronic survey of the main architectural styles and trends that emerged in Jordan and links the architectural styles and trends to four main historical periods that characterize the national temporal trajectory, supported by examples of buildings, projects and architects that represent each period. Findings: The results show the impacts of different forms of architectural modernism on local practice and explore attempts to create a national architectural identity that range in their ideological drive from Pan-Arabism to Jordanian localism. Originality/value: The research adds to the discourse on Arab cities and architecture and shows the development of architectural trends in an Arab Muslim country, focusing on the interaction of architectural modernism with local variables. The research aims to supplement literature on Arab architecture with a critical and nuanced historical account of Jordanian architecture in the English language to serve a global audience.",

keywords = "Arab cities, Architectural history, Architectural style, Built environment, Jordan, National identity",

author = "Janset Shawash and Noor Marji and Narmeen Marji",

note = "Funding Information: As for the Jordanian population, socio-economic circumstances overcame identity divides. On the level of individual residential buildings, the bourgeoisie employed its resources to experiment and improvise, culminating in architectural acrobatics at the crests of economic booms. At the turn of the millennium, the bourgeoisie welcomed the neoliberal turn and the accompanying “global types” of buildings (), embracing privatized and commercialized public space and office towers, consumerist culture, gated communities and projects such as Al-Abdali and the shopping malls. Nevertheless, the bourgeoisie also has the means to support local architects, innovation and philanthropic projects. Many of the mentioned projects above are funded by private and corporate means. The Jordanian bourgeoisie (the richest families in particular) also built its fortunes in Jordan, nursing nostalgia to the neighborhoods it inhabited, and thus forms a major driver for urban and architectural conservation. Although the de-territorialization thesis of might hold in other spheres, new generations of Jordanians are forming stronger territorial belonging through the built environment. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.",

year = "2023",

doi = "10.1108/ARCH-07-2021-0205",

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N1 - Funding Information: As for the Jordanian population, socio-economic circumstances overcame identity divides. On the level of individual residential buildings, the bourgeoisie employed its resources to experiment and improvise, culminating in architectural acrobatics at the crests of economic booms. At the turn of the millennium, the bourgeoisie welcomed the neoliberal turn and the accompanying “global types” of buildings (), embracing privatized and commercialized public space and office towers, consumerist culture, gated communities and projects such as Al-Abdali and the shopping malls. Nevertheless, the bourgeoisie also has the means to support local architects, innovation and philanthropic projects. Many of the mentioned projects above are funded by private and corporate means. The Jordanian bourgeoisie (the richest families in particular) also built its fortunes in Jordan, nursing nostalgia to the neighborhoods it inhabited, and thus forms a major driver for urban and architectural conservation. Although the de-territorialization thesis of might hold in other spheres, new generations of Jordanians are forming stronger territorial belonging through the built environment. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

PY - 2023

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N2 - Purpose: As the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrates its first centenary, this paper presents a critical reading of the development of architecture in the Kingdom reflecting the transformation of national identity. Design/methodology/approach: The paper achieves this aim by performing an analytical diachronic survey of the main architectural styles and trends that emerged in Jordan and links the architectural styles and trends to four main historical periods that characterize the national temporal trajectory, supported by examples of buildings, projects and architects that represent each period. Findings: The results show the impacts of different forms of architectural modernism on local practice and explore attempts to create a national architectural identity that range in their ideological drive from Pan-Arabism to Jordanian localism. Originality/value: The research adds to the discourse on Arab cities and architecture and shows the development of architectural trends in an Arab Muslim country, focusing on the interaction of architectural modernism with local variables. The research aims to supplement literature on Arab architecture with a critical and nuanced historical account of Jordanian architecture in the English language to serve a global audience.

AB - Purpose: As the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrates its first centenary, this paper presents a critical reading of the development of architecture in the Kingdom reflecting the transformation of national identity. Design/methodology/approach: The paper achieves this aim by performing an analytical diachronic survey of the main architectural styles and trends that emerged in Jordan and links the architectural styles and trends to four main historical periods that characterize the national temporal trajectory, supported by examples of buildings, projects and architects that represent each period. Findings: The results show the impacts of different forms of architectural modernism on local practice and explore attempts to create a national architectural identity that range in their ideological drive from Pan-Arabism to Jordanian localism. Originality/value: The research adds to the discourse on Arab cities and architecture and shows the development of architectural trends in an Arab Muslim country, focusing on the interaction of architectural modernism with local variables. The research aims to supplement literature on Arab architecture with a critical and nuanced historical account of Jordanian architecture in the English language to serve a global audience.

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ER -

A century of Jordanian architecture: narrating the development of the nation

Abstract

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