THE ROLE OF HERITAGE TOURISM IN PRESERVING HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN PALESTINE (CASE STUDY OF THE PASHA’S PALACE, GAZA)

Abstract

Introduction: Heritage tourism is often rooted by historic buildings. These powerful, tangible connections to our past are the ways in which people today come in touch with the past. Heritage buildings are also increasingly accepted as important venues linking a new generation with an older one, and thus as places to be used for heritage tourism. Revitalizing old neighborhoods — the buildings and the landscape — ensures that our quality of life is improved and that community cohesion is maintained. The Palestinian city of Gaza is mainly associated with conflicts and wars; however, its cultural side is typically hidden behind that news. But decades of uprisings, war and political turmoil have inflicted a heavy toll on its rich archaeological heritage, exposing it to looting and destruction. Methods: This article follows the scientific and engineering analysis as a way to deal with the mentioned problem by studying different factors affecting the architectural heritage of the Pasha’s Palace in Gaza. Results and discussion: The article analyzes the functions of the complex, identifies and systematizes factors affecting the architectural and archaeological heritage of the old city of Gaza, and discusses the pros and cons of using the Al-Pasha Palace complex as a museum based on the strategies of the Burra Charter.