THE FORM and FUNCTION OF MISRATAH'S COMMERCIAL CENTRE

الملخص

With the advent of impressive oil revenues since 1961 the  Government of Libya has wisely embarked upon physical planning  at national and regional levels. Among the many plans being  prepared by everseas consultants at the present time are master plans for the coastal oasis towns of Tripolitania, including El  Khums, Zliten and Misratah. (1) Of these Misratah constitutes a  challenge of particular interest to the town planner as a result  of its early evolution as an oasis market town through to the  grandiose expansion of the Italian period. In its ground-plan  Misratah illustrates many features of the larger cities of the  Arab world which are so often the heirs of different cultures,  with a European-style town grafted awkwardly on to a traditional  type of Arab town (Figure 1). This arrangement poses many  problems for the rationalisation of traffic flows and land use, and  in the installation of piped water, electricity and sewerage. The  research upon which this paper is based was carried out in 1966  at a time when it was already clear that Misratah was on the  verge of great changes. The aim was to examine traditional town country relationships before they become totally obscured, and  these functional relationships are clearly reflected in the form  of the town's commercial heart.  

At first sight the layout of  Misratah has little to commend it.  The street-pattern has clearly developed piecemeal, and on the  fringes of the town there is much wasted land. Social facilities  such as schools, post office and hospital are scattered inconveniently throughout the new town, but worst of all, there appears  to be little to bind the old and the new towns together. It is hoped  however that this paper will show that close examination of the  central area of Misratah reveals much that is functionally sound,  and a focus of interest in the shops and markets which give the  town a sense of coherence and unity. When it is remembered  that this central area has grown organically with no conscious  planning it is remarkable how well it has been adapted to the  needs of an oasis market..