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  • Hiba Almasri

Hiba Almasri

Hiba is a doctoral researcher in the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Brighton. Her research in urban design focuses on the importance of spatial-visual perception into urban design practice in understanding physical issues and suggesting potential solutions. Hiba has a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq. In addition, she has an MSc in Urban Planning from The University of Baghdad. Hiba’s earliest experience has focused on architectural design. Before undertaking her doctoral studies in 2015, Hiba worked as consultant urban planner for nearly eight years at the Ministry of Construction & Housing & Municipalities & Public Works in Iraq; she has participated in a broad range of urban redevelopment and mixed-use schemes for the Iraqi government.

Email address: H.almasri@brighton.ac.uk

Qualification: PhD

Timeframe: 2015-2019

Hiba-Almasri

Thesis title

The Physical Process of Repairing Cities’ Urban Fabric: Rethinking the  Figure-Ground Method.

My research

This research aims to provide the real conception of the figure-ground organisation in urban design and the importance of its abstraction in supporting the spatial-visual perception process of designers in understanding physical issues, repairing cities’ urban fabric, and reshaping cities’ urban form. The research involved interviews of urban designers who are aware of or use the figure-ground images in their practices. 

This research will contribute to filling the gap in the contemporary debates about reusing the figure-ground method by explaining the core conception of the figure-ground organisation and its use in urbanism. Understanding its essence and what it purports to do can help urban designers to understand cities’ mass-void relationships and draw on their understanding to inform their professional practices in repairing and reshaping cities’ urban fabric with liveable public realms. 

The outcomes of the research can be applied to enhance and repair cities with construction or development issues, such as the Middle East, cities where climate considerations and human scale are not being considered.

Funder The Higher Committee For Education Development in Iraq (HCED)

Supervisors

Luis Diaz

Professor Andrew Church

Nicholas Gant

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