Assessment of urban cultural conservation in the old city of Basra

This research aims to evaluate urban cultural conservation in the Old City of Basra, combining the tangible and intangible dimensions of the conservation process, with a focus on the role of memory and nostalgia in supporting the continuity of spatial identity. The Old City of Basra was chosen due to its historical, architectural, and social value. It houses prominent landmarks such as the Ashar River, the Two Minarets Mosque, and the Chaldean Church of Mar Thoma, in addition to the traditional urban fabric of Alaziqa and Shanasheel, which constitute essential elements in evoking collective memories and strengthening spatial belonging. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, including the development of a questionnaire directed at a deterministic sample of (85) residents and visitors from the area, with the aim of measuring their perceptions and attitudes toward the reality of urban cultural conservation and their level of attachment to historical landmarks. The results of the statistical analysis, using SPSS and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, showed that the measurement tool has high reliability, and that there is a close relationship between the continuity of historical monuments and the sustainability of spatial identity, as memory and nostalgia play a pivotal role in enhancing the value of monuments and in stimulating community participation in cultural urban conservation processes in the old city of Basra. The importance of this research stems from addressing a knowledge gap related to the lack of systematic integration of the immaterial dimension (memory and nostalgia) within cultural urban conservation assessment methodologies. This opens up prospects for adopting more comprehensive policies and practices that balance the material and moral dimensions of the city. The research concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing the symbolic and functional presence of historical monuments and linking them to daily activities and urban corridors, thus ensuring the sustainability of the spatial identity of the old city of Basra.