European International Journal of Science and Technology ISSN: 2304-9693 www.eijst.org.uk Changes in farmers traditional dwellings in the Syrian Rural Coastal Region. A case study: Ain Al-Baida Village, Latakia. Manal Salim Salhab1, Ramzi Alshekh2 and Nassiba Saaid3 1PhD student at Department of Architectural Design, Faculty of Architecture, Tishreen University, Lattakia- Syria E-mail:
[email protected] 2Professor at Department of Architectural Design, Faculty of Architecture, Tishreen University, Lattakia- Syria E-mail:
[email protected] 3Doctor at Department of theories and history of architecture, Faculty of Architecture Tishreen University, Lattakia- Syria E-mail:
[email protected] Corresponding Author: Manal Salim Salhab Faculty of Architecture, Tishreen University- Lattakia- Syria. P.O.Box: 2237 E-mail:
[email protected] 58 European International Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 7 No. 8 November 2018 Abstract Syrian coastal rural areas have witnessed major transformation in their social, economic, cultural and architectural features. This has led to a gradual disappearance of the traditional dwelling and emergence of modern residential buildings. This study analyses the prototype of the primitive rural dwelling and highlights the process, stages, levels and reasons of change in the Syrian Village of Ain Al-Baida, given its representative natural and demographic similarity to other villages in the area. Published literature, detailed observational fieldwork and survey of local people opinions were used to determine causes of change. Economic and administrative factors, as well as the freedom from feudal control are amongst the main reasons of the change. Four levels of change were identified; physical location, building materials, dwelling utilization, and owner/local authority change.