الترجمة الأكاديمية الاحترافية المقترحة: **The Role of Architectural Configuration of Defensive Elements in Achieving the Sustainability of Heritage Architecture: A Documentary and Analytical Study of Al-Qasr Fortress in Qasr Al-Akhyar, Libya**

Historical citadels represent some of the most significant architectural evidence reflecting the evolution of defensive and administrative architecture in traditional societies. They successfully integrated the requirements of protection and security with the organization of administrative and social activities. Al-Qasr Citadel in the Qasr Al-Khyar region stands as a crucial architectural model that retains a substantial portion of its urban and structural characteristics, despite exposure to factors of deterioration and aging.

The research problem lies in the scarcity of architectural studies addressing the citadel from an analytical perspective that connects spatial configuration, defensive and administrative elements, and architectural sustainability. This gap has resulted in inadequate documentation of the building's urban value and limited its potential utilization in contemporary studies.

This study aims to analyze the architectural characteristics of the citadel, identify its defensive and administrative functions, and highlight the role of local materials and traditional elements in achieving environmental sustainability. The research adopts historical and descriptive-analytical approaches by documenting field photographs and historical references, alongside analyzing the architectural elements and interior spaces of the citadel.

The results demonstrate that the citadel represents an integrated model of traditional defensive architecture, successfully achieving a balance among security, administration, and environmental adaptation. This was accomplished through the utilization of interior courtyards, thick walls, local materials, and hierarchical spatial organization. Furthermore, the study confirms that numerous design principles applied within the citadel align with contemporary sustainability concepts, positioning it as a vital reference for leveraging heritage architecture in the development of modern architecture.