From Cohesion to Contrast: A Spatial Syntax Comparative Exploration of Jerusalem's Old City Muslim and Christian Quarters

Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 442 - 453, 16.12.2025

Haithem Ratrout , Khaled Qamhieh , Ihab Hijazi , Mohammed Itair , Diana Enab Mona Qamhieh

Abstract

This study examines the underexplored physical disparities within the urban structures of historical cities shaped by religious communities, focusing on the Muslim and Christian quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem. As a city that was both newly developed and transformed during the Islamic period , Jerusalem provides a unique perspective for analyzing these distinctions. Employing space syntax, the research investigates the macro- and micro-level spatial configurations of the quarters, uncovering variations in street networks, accessibility, and urban design. The findings reveal how Christian and Muslim communities navigated and shaped their shared environment, offering a deeper understanding of the Islamic contribution to the planning of historical Jerusalem. This study not only advances the discourse on urban morphology in historical cities during the Islamic period but also highlights the relationship between administrative efficiency and Islamic principles of tolerance, as reflected in the physical fabric of the Old City.

Keywords

Jerusalem , Spatial Analysis , Space Syntax , Urban Configration

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