Gourna : a tale of two villages / by Hassan Fathy | National Library of Australia - Details
Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages PDF Download
If you are interested in architecture, rural development, or Egyptian culture, you might want to read Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages by Hassan Fathy. This book is a fascinating account of a visionary architect's attempt to build a new village for the people of Gourna, a poor community living on top of ancient tombs near Luxor. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of the book, its author, and its main theme. We will also summarize the main points of the book, compare and contrast the two villages of Gourna, and tell you how to download the PDF version of the book.
Gourna A Tale Of Two Villages Pdf Download
Introduction
Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is a book written by Hassan Fathy, a renowned Egyptian architect who is widely regarded as a pioneer of sustainable and humanistic architecture. The book was first published in 1969 by the Ministry of Culture in Egypt, and later translated into English and other languages. It is based on Fathy's personal experience of designing and building a new village for the people of Gourna between 1945 and 1952.
Hassan Fathy (1900-1989) was a remarkable architect who devoted his life to improving the living conditions of the poor and preserving the traditional values and techniques of Egyptian architecture. He was influenced by ancient Egyptian, Islamic, and vernacular styles, and used local materials such as mud bricks, stone, wood, and palm leaves. He also incorporated elements such as courtyards, domes, vaults, wind catchers, and mashrabiyyas (lattice windows) to create comfortable and beautiful spaces that suited the climate and culture of Egypt. He designed many projects in Egypt and abroad, such as schools, mosques, hotels, cultural centers, and housing complexes. He also wrote several books and articles on architecture, art, philosophy, and social issues.
The main theme and message of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is that architecture should serve the needs and aspirations of the people who live in it. Fathy believed that architecture should not only provide shelter, but also dignity, identity, community, harmony with nature, and spiritual fulfillment. He also argued that architecture should respect the local traditions, culture, environment, and resources. He criticized the modernist approach that imposed foreign models and materials on developing countries without regard for their context or consequences. He advocated for a participatory approach that involved the people in planning, designing, building, and maintaining their own homes.
Summary of the book
The old village of Gourna
The book begins with a description of the old village of Gourna, where about 7,000 people lived in mud houses built on top of ancient tombs dating back to the Pharaonic era. The villagers made their living by farming, fishing, and working as laborers or guides for tourists. They also engaged in tomb robbing, selling antiquities to dealers and smugglers. The old village had a rich and unique culture, with its own customs, beliefs, rituals, festivals, and folklore. The villagers had a strong sense of community and solidarity, and a deep attachment to their land and ancestors.
However, the old village also faced many problems and challenges. The houses were overcrowded, unhealthy, and unsafe. The villagers lacked basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation, education, and health care. The villagers suffered from poverty, disease, illiteracy, and social injustice. The villagers also had a tense relationship with the government and the Antiquities Department, who wanted to evict them from the tombs and relocate them to a new site. The villagers resisted this plan, fearing that they would lose their homes, livelihoods, and identity.
The new village of Gourna
The book then tells the story of the new village of Gourna, which was designed and built by Hassan Fathy with the cooperation of the villagers. Fathy was commissioned by the government in 1945 to create a new village for the people of Gourna on a nearby site that was owned by the Antiquities Department. Fathy's vision was to create a model village that would provide the villagers with decent and affordable housing, as well as social and economic development. He also wanted to preserve and enhance the cultural and architectural heritage of Gourna.
Fathy designed the new village according to the principles of organic architecture, which aimed to create a harmonious relationship between the buildings, the people, and the environment. He used local materials such as mud bricks, which were cheap, durable, and environmentally friendly. He also used traditional techniques such as domes and vaults, which eliminated the need for wood or steel beams. He also incorporated features such as courtyards, arcades, terraces, gardens, and fountains, which created pleasant and functional spaces for living and working. He also designed public buildings such as a mosque, a school, a market, a theater, a library, and a clinic.
Fathy involved the villagers in every stage of the project, from planning to construction. He consulted with them about their needs and preferences, and taught them how to make mud bricks and build domes and vaults. He also encouraged them to participate in decorating their houses with paintings, sculptures, and carvings. He also trained some of them as masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc., creating new job opportunities for them.
The comparison and contrast between the two villages
The book concludes with a comparison and contrast between the two villages of Gourna. Fathy highlights the similarities and differences between them in terms of architecture, environment, social life, economy, etc. He also evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each village, and the lessons learned from the experiment.
Some of the main points of comparison are: - Architecture: The new village was more spacious, modern, and comfortable than the old village, but it also retained the traditional style and character of Gourna. The new village was more organized, coherent, and aesthetic than the old village, but it also respected the organic growth and diversity of Gourna. The new village was more durable, safe, and adaptable than the old village, but it also used the same materials and techniques as Gourna. - Environment: The new village was more clean, green, and healthy than the old village, but it also blended with the natural landscape and climate of Gourna. The new village was more efficient, sustainable, and resilient than the old village, but it also relied on local resources and renewable energy sources as Gourna. The new village was more innovative, creative, and expressive than the old village, but it also reflected the cultural values and artistic skills of Gourna. - Social life: The new village was more peaceful, harmonious, and cooperative than the old village, but it also maintained the communal spirit and social bonds of Gourna. The new village was more democratic, equitable, and inclusive than the old village, but it also preserved the customs, beliefs, and rituals of Gourna. The new village was more educated, enlightened, and progressive than the old village, but it also respected the wisdom, - Economy: The new village was more productive, diverse, and prosperous than the old village, but it also depended on the same sources of income as Gourna. The new village was more self-reliant, independent, and entrepreneurial than the old village, but it also faced the same market challenges and competition as Gourna. The new village was more ethical, legal, and responsible than the old village, but it also lost some of the lucrative opportunities and connections of Gourna.
Conclusion
The main takeaways from the book
Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is a valuable book that offers many insights and lessons for architects, planners, developers, and anyone interested in rural development and social change. Some of the main takeaways from the book are: - Architecture is not only a technical or artistic discipline, but also a social and cultural one. Architecture should serve the people who live in it, not the other way around. - Architecture should respect and enhance the local context, rather than impose or ignore it. Architecture should use local materials, techniques, styles, and traditions, rather than import or copy them from elsewhere. - Architecture should involve and empower the people who build and use it, rather than exclude or exploit them. Architecture should be participatory, democratic, and inclusive, rather than authoritarian, elitist, or exclusive. - Architecture should aim to improve the quality of life of the people who inhabit it, not only in terms of physical comfort and convenience, but also in terms of psychological, social, economic, and spiritual well-being.
The relevance and significance of the book today
Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is a relevant and significant book today, especially in light of the current challenges and opportunities facing rural development and sustainable architecture. Some of the reasons why the book is still important today are: - The book addresses some of the key issues and dilemmas that rural communities face today, such as poverty, inequality, migration, urbanization, globalization, climate change, cultural preservation, etc. - The book showcases some of the best practices and examples of sustainable architecture that can inspire and inform current and future projects in rural areas and beyond. - The book demonstrates some of the benefits and challenges of participatory design and community engagement that can help improve the outcomes and impacts of rural development projects. - The book reflects some of the values and principles that are essential for creating a more humane and harmonious world, such as respect, dignity, identity, community, harmony with nature, and spiritual fulfillment.
How to download the PDF version of the book
If you are interested in reading Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages by Hassan Fathy, you can download the PDF version of the book from various online sources. However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of these sources. Some of them may not have the full or accurate version of the book. Some of them may also violate the copyright or intellectual property rights of the author or publisher. Therefore, we recommend that you use only reliable and reputable sources to download the PDF version of the book.
One of the best sources to download the PDF version of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is Open Library, a project of the Internet Archive that provides free access to millions of books online. You can find Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages on Open Library by searching for its title or author on their website. You can then borrow or download the PDF version of the book by creating a free account on Open Library. You can also read the book online on their website without downloading it.
Another good source to download the PDF version of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is National Library of Australia, which holds a copy of the book in its collection. You can find Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages on National Library of Australia by searching for its title or author on their catalogue. You can then request a copy of the book to view in their reading rooms using your library card. You can also order a copy of the book through their Copies Direct service, which may charge a fee depending on the format and delivery method.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages and their answers.
Q: When was Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages first published?
A: Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages was first published in 1969 by the Ministry of Culture in Egypt.
Q: Who is the author of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages?
A: The author of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is Hassan Fathy, a renowned Egyptian architect who is widely regarded as a pioneer of sustainable and humanistic architecture.
Q: What is the main theme and message of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages?
A: The main theme and message of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages is that architecture should serve the needs and aspirations of the people who live in it, and respect and enhance the local context.
Q: How many pages does Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages have?
A: Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages has 295 pages in the original edition.
Q: Where can I find more information about Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages or Hassan Fathy?
A: You can find more information about Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages or Hassan Fathy on their Wikipedia pages, or on other websites such as Hassan Fathy Institute, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, or ArchNet.
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