Redefining the concept of the 24-hour city and city nightlife for holy cities, with the use of Islamic instructions: A Case study of the holy city of Karbala

Abstract

The development of the 24-hour city includes the development of infrastructure, and economic, cultural and social planning. The approach taken in most of the western cities has been considered compatible with the lifestyles prevalent in those countries, and has three main parts: people, place, and creativity, and three basic principles: providing a safe city centre for people and their places of leisure, developing the night economy, and improving the city's image. The interaction between proponents and opponents of 24-hour cities and their effects on the planning of the cities is also one of the challenges in cities in Islamic countries. Most proponents tend to encourage the creation of new urban places and the introduction of special activities compatible with nightlife. However, some cities already provide opportunities for attendance and activity at all times of day and night without formal organisation, including areas such as Karbala and Mashhad where the focal point is a holy shrine. Islam has a special view of urban life and lifestyle and therefore defines its own favoured activities, entertainment, residency, and purpose, proposing special times and places for all things. Reviewing the concept of the 24-hour city in light of the Islamic lifestyle using examples of holy cities can thus help redefine the 24-hour city and produce new patterns for it that are more compatible with the needs of Islamic countries. This research thus tries to answer the following questions using a qualitative method and surveys to develop a case study of Karbala city: What are the connections between an Islamic lifestyle and 24-hour city life? What capacities of the city are lost, based on the current local nightlife? The aim of this study is to begin to redefine the 24-hour city concept to make it compatible with both Islamic culture and local capacity.