Architectural and Spatial organization characteristics in historical Grand Bazaars of Kirkuk-IRAQ

Historic grand bazaars represent one of the most prominent forms of commercial architecture in historic cities due to their functional, social, and economic roles within the urban fabric. this research aims to analyze the architectural and morphological characteristics and spatial configuration of the kirkuk and qirdar grand bazaars, and to evaluate their impact on sustaining functional continuity within the historic city of kirkuk. the research problem arises from the absence of systematic scientific studies explaining how spatial configuration and architectural characteristics influence the functional continuity of historic grand bazaars. the study adopts a mixed method approach combining descriptive analytical and quantitative methods. the study analyze architectural characteristics through historical sources, drawings, local materials, roof forms, openings, and natural ventilation systems. quantitatively, the space syntax methodology using depthmapx analyzes connectedness, integration, and choice. results show that the kirkuk grand bazaar demonstrates high connectivity and a branching spatial pattern supporting movement distribution and functional hierarchy. in contrast, the qirdar grand bazaar exhibits higher integration and choice values, highlighting the role of a longitudinal spatial axis in enhancing commercial activities. the analysis confirms that spatial form strongly influences functional performance and supports sustainable conservation strategies within historic urban centers worldwide today globally.