International Science and Technology Journal

It is well- known that most of civilizations in the history were exist because of the existence of water. This created harmony between the natural and man-made environments meeting settlers’ needs without harming the surrounded livings. On contrast, contemporary urban settlements specifically referring to post-industrial revolution, city planning has been contributing to polluting the environment and has been a main source of harm. This article discusses the interrelations in the urban fabric of the old city of Ghadames and its unique features. Specifically, the study pays attention to the water spring of the city (Ghusouf) known as Ayin Alfaras and behind the establishment of the Ghadamsian civilization over time, and it provided so much to settlers not only water but also tranquility and identity of the place. The study is more qualitative in research approach relied on persona observations and exploratory means of collating data such as semi-structured interviews in addition to reviewing pertinent studies. The purpose of carrying such research is to arrive at the conclusion on how settlers at that time were able to create such unity and correspondence to the surrounding environment through utilising the natural resources with reference to Ghusouf. In addition, the study is evaluating the influence of water source and similar features on the future of urban planning. Authors recommended paying significant attention to including underground water streams in further studies to establish robust guidance on urban design principles and elements for the old city of Ghadames. Keywords: Ghusouf, human civilization, human interrelation, the phenomenology of the place and special urban features.