The Citadel of Aleppo is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world, and the greatest landmark of Aleppo. Located on top of a hill in the middle of the city, it stands as a symbol of resilience, having faced many challenges during various historical events through the centuries. This thesis analyses the architectural trajectory of Aleppo's Citadel, uncovering its transformation through seismic events, wars, and cultural transformations with the use of primary and secondary sources, such as archival documents, photographs and architectural drawings. Motivated by the Citadel's enduring and recent challenges, this thesis aims to understand the interplay of historical events and architectural development that shaped the Citadel by contextualizing the transformations within their historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts.

The thesis covers different historical periods, starting with the Medieval ages, with each shaping the Citadel in different ways. The Medieval Period mainly shaped the structure of the fortress as it is standing today. Being built as a military fortress during battles against Crusaders and Mongols, the Citadel got constantly destructed and reconstructed because of its strategic importance and the continuous seismic activity. As it came under Ottoman rule, the Citadel transitioned to a complex with residential and commercial functions, which reflect the stability and socio-political shift of the time. As the Empire fell after World War I, the French took control and initiated excavations which were continued by the Syrians after the Independence. In the Modern Era, the Citadel got recognized as a World Heritage Site and became a tourist destination and cultural hub of the city. As reconstruction and preservation projects were on the go, the Citadel witnessed a war that destroyed the country and damaged the monument. Before even being reconstructed, another earthquake hit the region and caused, once again, damage to the fortress.

The city is by definition full of strangers. To any person in the city, strangers are far more common than acquaintances. Even residents that live close to each other are strangers. Though good city sidewalk life can enhance safety and neighbor interaction on the streets. It may appear purposeless, but sidewalk contacts can change the city’s wealth and public life. (Jacobs, 1992). Sadly, people in big cities nowadays live more anonymously and individualistic than 10 years ago (CBS, 2023). Fences between gardens get higher, curtains on the street side will stay closed during the day, and people don’t know the name of their neighbors anymore. These are all symptoms of the anonymization and individualization of the society.

Most academic papers never give a concrete definition of what a resort town is, which makes discussion of the topic difficult. To create more clarity on the subject this paper investigates the Dutch town of Kaatsheuvel, and if the theme park within its borders, the Efteling, makes the town an example of a resort town. To achieve this the history and development of the town were traced back to the inception of the Efteling in 1933, and this development was then compared to academic sources on resort towns, with the six stages of resort town development by Butler (1980) playing a key role. In the end, Kaatsheuvel has a lot of similarities to other resort towns, but especially the early stages of the resort town are not present in the history of Kaatsheuvel. This means that Kaatsheuvel can be considered as a resort town, but the path it took to get to that status differs from other more conventional cases. This conclusion has both specified and expanded the concept of the resort town, making future discussions on the topic more precise.

This essay explores the relationship between dwelling architecture and mental health, with a particular focus on the housing constructed in Vienna and London between 1840 and 1919, during a period of unprecedented growth that followed the Industrial Revolution. Contemporary building standards guarantee that current dwelling architecture does not have a negative impact on the residents’ health. Moreover, the extensive research conducted in recent years on the relationship between architecture and mental health informs current housing design. However, since these practices are relatively new, understanding the impact of older housing on mental well-being is crucial in determining whether those apartments are still habitable. By examining the historical and architectural contexts of Viennese “Zinshäuser” and London’s Victorian houses, this study identifies key architectural elements present in these buildings, analyzes what caused specific dwelling architecture typologies to form, and explores how they can affect the mental health of their occupants today. To answer this final section, a comparative analysis of Vienna and London is conducted through a questionnaire, revealing disparities in housing conditions and their effects on residents’ mental health.

This paper examines the strategic use of architectural design by Louis Vuitton in its flagship stores, highlighting its role in enhancing marketing e>ectiveness within the luxury retail sector. Incorporating a historical review of the brand's evolution, the study provides a comprehensive examination of a range of architectural strategies—such as location, materials, visual engagement, and cultural integration—employed across flagship stores in various global contexts including Asia, America, and Europe. The findings shows that these architectural elements are not only aesthetic enhancements but are integral to Louis Vuitton's marketing and brand storytelling. Key strategies such as the strategic placement of stores, use of materials, and alignment with local cultures are discussed, underscoring their e>ectiveness in enhancing the brand’s image and consumer engagement. The paper discusses these elements in depth, o>ering insights into the relationship between architecture and luxury brand marketing, and contributing to scholarly discussions on how physical spaces can amplify a luxury brand’s market position.