Today's odd question

[Perd Hapley]

Blame this one on the Marrakech episode of Travel Man.

Isn't there a word that specifically describes a city or part of a city in the Mid-East/North Africa, with narrow and very confusing streets?

Or was that a dream I had?

[230RN]

A one-horse one-camel town?

The search term <town with narrow streets?> yields some interesting-looking hits but I haven't gone over them yet.

"Or was that a dream I had?" There's no accountin' fer what goes on in your head.  I have enough trouble with what goes on in my head.


Terry, 230RN

[Ben]

Isn't there a word that specifically describes a city or part of a city in the Mid-East/North Africa, with narrow and very confusing streets?

I'm positive there is and have seen it in text, but I can't for the life of me remember the term. IIRC, it was partially an "ancient tactical" thing as defense against invasion.

Edit: It doesn't give a name, but this article gives some background:

https://muslimheritage.com/introduction-to-the-islamic-city/

[Hawkmoon]

Ghetto?

Barrio?

Favela (but that seems to be mostly Brazilian)?

I think there is a word such as you describe, and I'm drawing a blank as to exactly what that word is.

[HankB]

Kasbah? The central part of a city, often walled, sometimes including a market - in the old days part of a defensive structure with intentionally narrow streets.

[grampster]

Washington DC?

[RocketMan]

Washington DC?

No, you're thinking of "swamp".

[zxcvbob]

Medina?

[Ben]

Ghetto?

Barrio?

Favela (but that seems to be mostly Brazilian)?

I think there is a word such as you describe, and I'm drawing a blank as to exactly what that word is.

Again, I can't remember myself (and it's at the tip of my tongue and driving me crazy now), but I'm almost certain it's less of a label and more of an architectural / city design term like "radial", but kinda the opposite of that. 

[zxcvbob]

Again, I can't remember myself (and it's at the tip of my tongue and driving me crazy now), but I'm almost certain it's less of a label and more of an architectural / city design term like "radial", but kinda the opposite of that. 

Look up "medina quarter."  I found it by searching kasbah.  It is exactly what Perd is describing, although perhaps y'all are looking for the Arabic word for it.

[Ben]

Look up "medina quarter."  I found it by searching kasbah.  It is exactly what Perd is describing, although perhaps y'all are looking for the Arabic word for it.

Maybe that's it. I could swear it was another word, but my mind isn't what it used to be. 

[Perd Hapley]

I don't think it's any of the words listed so far, although the definition for "medina" certainly fits.

I think I may have first encountered it in relation to a scene from one of the Bourne films. Can't recall if the word was used in the movie.

[K Frame]

Are you thinking of the souk?

That really means marketplace, but I've seen it sort of used in the context you're asking about.

[RoadKingLarry]

No, you're thinking of "swamp".

you spelled "shithole" wrong.

[tokugawa]

Bazaar? Middle eastern market street?

[Perd Hapley]

Bazaar? Middle eastern market street?

Hey! Who you callin bazaar?