Architectural Landmarks and Urban Identity: A Perception Assessment for Place Meaning in Sulaymaniyah City

Volume 13 ,Issue 1 ,December 2026 ,Pages 27-50

Authors

Raz Kamaran Radha Al Barznji 1 ; Raz Saeed Faraj Faraj 1

1 College of Engineering, Department of Architecture, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI logo 10.17656/sjes.10230

Keywords

Abstract

Architectural landmarks shape how cities are recognized and remembered, yet little empirical evidence exists on how the public evaluates different landmark types, particularly in rapidly transforming Middle Eastern cities. This study aims to examine how selected architectural landmarks contribute to public perceptions of urban identity in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and to determine which attributes are most strongly associated with landmark recognition and preference. To achieve this aim, the study assesses public evaluations of seven landmarks spanning religious, hospitality, commercial, residential, and heritage types; examines how different landmark types contribute to urban identity; and compares structured evaluation with spontaneous public recall. A quota-based survey of 180 residents combined a structured evaluation across seven criteria with an unprompted recall task. Data were analyzed using the Friedman test, correlation, and principal component analysis. Amna Suraka received the highest overall evaluation, followed by the Grand Mosque. In contrast, the more prominent contemporary towers were recognized mainly for their visibility and usefulness in wayfinding rather than for representing the city’s identity. The findings also point to two main dimensions of landmark perception: cultural meaning and everyday function. Spontaneous recall further showed that people’s image of Sulaymaniyah extends beyond individual buildings to include the historic Old Bazaar and Azmar Mountain. Overall, the findings from the surveyed sample suggest that cultural meaning has a greater influence on how landmarks are valued in Sulaymaniyah than physical prominence alone. These results emphasize the necessity of taking into account local identity, collective memory, and heritage in future architectural and urban development.  

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