The historic Hammāms of Damascus and Fez: Lessons of sustainability and future developments

The public bath, or hammām, is a building type which has been integral to the urban fabric of Islamic cities. Whereas other building types have attracted much attention and research in the past, studies of hammām buildings have remained scarce and far apart. Based on surveys carried by the author on the historic public baths of Damascus and Fez, this paper highlights the characteristics of this building type as a sustainable urban facility which not only promotes cleanliness and health of the urban dwellers but also social interaction and a support for a rich intangible heritage. The paper also highlights the lessons that this building type provides in terms of thermal comfort, under-floor heating system, water heating and management and recycling of byproducts from local small industries. The paper then discusses possible future adaptive re-use of this building type in the light of Sustainable Development Agenda.