A study for the reintegration of the islamic defensive system

Valencia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana.
Special mention / Diploma in the category Research in the year 2009.

Dating of the building: 11th century.

Applicant: Carmel Gradolí.

Reason for the award :

For the research and study of what was the Islamic defensive system in Valencia, a fundamental piece to understanding the historical past and urban evolution of this city.

  • © Bea Barrio
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Carmel Gradolí

The study is a proposal for the recovery of the Islamic wall of Valencia as a central element in the urban, architectural and social regeneration of the Carmen neighborhood.

The Arab wall of Valencia is the most relevant and best-preserved remains of an Arab city. However, despite its recognized heritage, cultural and urban value, the city has so far not found a way to restore it, value it and integrate it into the urban fabric as it deserves.  The objective of the work is to integrate the Islamic defensive system making it the engine of the regeneration of the Carmen neighborhood. This is a complementary study to the plan, previous to the project, which defines the modifications to be made in the provisionally approved document and which serves as a guide for future action, providing coherence and clarity to the whole complex. At the same time, it makes the monument´s recovery compatible with that of the urban, patrimonial and social values ​​of this area, placing the recovery of the heritage as the central element of the physical and social recovery of the historic centre of the city.

The study is therefore a proposal for the recovery of the Islamic wall of Valencia as a central element in the urban, architectural and social regeneration of the Carmen. An original work methodology is based on the defensive system from which urban and architectural projects are developed. Criteria for future actions are also established and the adequacy of each proposal is checked by developing at draft level ​​the scope of the work.

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