**Abstract**

Sustainability is clearly represented in Jeddah old city where traditional builders have developed unique practices that promote environmental, social and economic qualities. The urban form and buildings proved efficiency towards the conservative society, the pattern of life and the prevailing hot-humid climate. The open space system, characterized by narrow walkways and wider intersections, provided shaded and ventilated places for walking and communicating. Houses were configured according to social traditions that imply the separation between private and public life. Walls were constructed of locally coral stone blocks known by its thermal insulation ability, then finished with white color which acts on reflecting sunlight and reduces the heat absorption. Large wooden latticed windows admit daylight but control heating and ventilation, while providing privacy for the family. Moreover, rainwater was collected and stored in basement reservoirs. However, attempts to record these manifestations of sustainability have always been subjective. Therefore, based on long experience of academic work in relation to historic Jeddah, the present chapter intends to reintroduce previous knowledge but supported by evidence whenever possible hoping that it can help formulating guidelines for effective and sustainable alternatives. This is of great benefit to current professionals.

**Keywords:** Sustainability, traditional housing, local architecture, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

### **1. Introduction**

Saudi Arabia occupies a location between Asia and Africa between latitude 18° south and 28° north inhabiting most of the Arabian Peninsula. The western side of the Arabian Peninsula, alongside the Red Sea, is occupied by "*Tehamah"* Plain with a width that ranges between 6 and 60 km. Jeddah city is located at 21° 30<sup>0</sup> latitude (**Figure 1**) as the harbor for the holly city of Makkah and as a trade hub with Yemen and Egypt. It was bounded by a wall with a number of gateways that varied along time until the removing of this wall in 1947 [2]. Being a major seaport on the Red Sea, Jeddah has always been a cosmopolitan city whose culture and architecture has been influenced by others, mostly Egypt, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Yemen.

Climate in Jeddah is hot and humid almost throughout the year. The average maximum temperature is around 39°C. Minimum rates of temperature recorded at night decreases by 10°C from the maximum ones recorded at daytime [3].

A short visit to the historic core of Jeddah "*Al-balad*" can directly convey a comfortable feeling in both the architectural and urban context. This brings back to

**Figure 1.** *The location of Jeddah city in the Western Province [1].*

mind the question of how these buildings could manage to respond to crucial concerns like the harsh climate, available building materials, construction technology as well as customs and traditions. Most of these items have become an area of research from different viewpoints, and sustainability is no exception.

Sustainability scope is not restricted to environmental practice but comprises issues related to social and economic interests. Environmental sustainability is concerned with sensitivity while interacting with the developmental location and its components. Social sustainability is concerned with maintaining identity and local socio-cultural traditions while enhancing the quality of life. From an economic viewpoint, sustainability emphasizes the optimum utilization of available resources, reducing operation and maintenance cost and commercial vitality [4].

Without knowing its meaning, sustainability was deeply inherited in the traditional built environment of Jeddah. Many passive strategies for improving thermal comfort on both the architectural and urban level were adopted utilizing local resources and technologies. Outdoor and indoor spaces are of reasonable size, flexible for more than one use and incrementally extend according to need and ability. Local culture, which is heavily influenced by Islam, was directly reflected on the city urban tissue, the house architecture down to the smallest details.

The orientation of masjids towards Makkah for prayer "*qiblah*" affected shaping the surrounding paths and buildings. The morals of privacy, hospitality and humility are essential in religious guidelines which urge the veiling "*hijab*" of women from strangers' eyes, separation between men and women, rights of families in communities, neighbors' rights and not hurting him, not looking upon others' houses and turning a blind eye (turning the gaze away) [5]. In a response, paying attention to guests' entrance and reception areas, isolating family movement, screening windows and openings as well as balustrade, simplicity, and abstraction are major design considerations in the historical house. These are agued below.

*Sustainability Features of Jeddah Traditional Housing DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98735*
