Applying urban design principles to tackle informal settlements and improve the housing environment in Libya: A case study in the municipality of Abu Salim

Abstract

The importance of this approach is particularly evident in the city of Tripoli, where many of its municipalities have experienced extensive unplanned expansion in recent years, especially since 2011. This is a result of significant population growth, internal migration, unauthorized construction, and a lack of technical oversight. The municipality of Abu Salim is one of the areas most affected by this phenomenon, where informal settlements constitute a large proportion of its urban fabric. Multiple problems are evident, including narrow roads, buildings built too close together, a lack of public spaces, poor distribution of services, and deteriorating infrastructure.

The selection of the Abu Salim municipality as a case study serves as a clear example of the need to apply the principles of urban design as a means of addressing the accumulated problems within these neighborhoods. Urban design offers the possibility of restructuring streets and passageways to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, improve the distribution of essential services, and create green spaces that enhance the quality of the urban environment. It also involves organizing building façades and the visual landscape to strengthen the area’s urban identity. It also helps to address the environmental imbalances associated with informal settlements, such as poor drainage, waste accumulation, and inadequate ventilation and lighting between closely packed buildings.