Kudus Kulon adalah area yang unik dan spesifik. Hal ini bisa dilihat dari situs/bangunan yang ditampilkannya serta aktivitas yang mencerminkan nilainilai yang diwariskan leluhurnya, yaitu berupa nilai-nilai Islam. Area ini juga sarat dengan nilai-nilai histori, karena di area inilah cikal bakal pertumbuhan Kabupaten Kudus sekarang. Untuk itu menarik sekali mengetahui seperti apa fungsi dan pemanfaatan ruang, dan nilai-nilai apa saja yang terdapat di Kota Lama Kudus. Hal tersebut menjadi tujuan dari penelitian ini. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode induktif kualitatif dengan paradigma fenomenologik. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan cara observasi dan wawancara. Berdasarkan hasil dari pengamatan dan wawancara dianalisis dan didapatkan kata-kata kunci. Kata kunci yang jenuh diangkat menjadi tema-tema temuan, kemudian diklasifikasikan berdasarkan kesamaan fungsi, aktivitas, ataupun kemiripan bentuk. Selanjutnya didapatkan hubungan antar tema yang diklasifikasi kembali sehingga mendapatkan konsep. Konsep yang ditemukan menjelaskan fungsi dan kapasitas ruang kawasan, pola ruang kawasan, dan nilainilai kawasan. Dari sinilah ditemukan adanya perbedaan karekteristik kawasan di sekitar Komplek Menara (inti kawasan) dengan area pinggiran kawasan. Konsep ini bersifat lokal, yaitu hanya berlaku di kota lama Kudus. Dalam konsep inti-pinggiran kota lama Kudus, dari segi fungsi dan kapasitas ruang ditemukan bahwa semakin mendekati inti area aktivitas religi semakin menonjol. Sementara pada jalan, semakin memasuki ke area inti lalu lintas lebih padat dan didominasi oleh peziarah dan santri. Pola dan orientasi arah hadap rumah di area pemukiman yang dekat Menara berderet-deret sejajar dan menghadap ke selatan, sehingga terkesan kompak dan solid. Sementara pemukiman di pinggiran arahnya mengikuti jalan, sehingga polanya seperti tidak teratur. Dari suasana pemukiman, semakin ke area inti semakin tertutup, semakin ke pinggiran semakin terbuka. Selain itu pada area inti terdapat rumah-rumah tradisional Kudus (rumah Gebyog), sementara di pinggiran sudah tidak ada lagi. Dilihat dari pola dindingnya, maka semakin mendekati Menara semakin tinggi, dan semakin menjauhi Menara semakin rendah, bahkan cenderung hilang. Ditemukan pada objek gang, semakin mendekati Menara semakin sempit, sebaliknya semakin menjauhi Menara semakin lebar. Kemudian dari nilai religi, inti area suasananya lebih religi dibanding pinggiran. Dalam perkembangannya Kudus Kulon mengalami perubahan tidak hanya pada ruang tapi juga pada tata kehidupan masyarakatnya. Perbedaan itu tampak pada inti area dengan area pinggiran. Berdasarkan analisa fungsi dan kapasitas ruang, pola ruang dan nilai kehidupan masyarakat maka di Kudus Kulon dapat didelineasi area inti dan pinggiran. Adapun yang termasuk area inti adalah area-area di Kauman, Langgar Dalem, dan Kerjasan bagian selatan. Sementara yang termasuk area pinggiran adalah Kajeksan, Damaran, Kerjasan bagian utara, Janggalan dan Demangan.

Kudus Kulon is a unique and specific area. That can be seen from the existing archaeological sites/buildings and the activities that are reflected the inherited of ancestors values, those are Islamic values. This area is fully of historical values, and then this area was the pioneer of the growth of the existing Kudus City. The objectives of this research are to know the function and the space used, and what kind of values those are available in the elderly Kudus city. This research used qualitative inductive method with phenomenological paradigms. Data were taken from observations and interviews. Based on the observations and interviews, analysis was conducted to get the key words. The themes of the research were taken from saturated key words, and then they were classified in the similar functions, activities or similar forms. From the classification, there was a relation between themes then classified to get the concept. The concept explained about the function and capacity of space, pattern of space and the value of space. It was examined that there are differences area near to the “Menara” Complex (core area) to peripheral area. This concept is locally, only available in the elderly Kudus City. In the concept of the core-peripheral Elderly Kudus City, it was examined that the closer area to the core area, the function and capacity of space are dominance with religious activities. Otherwise in the pathway, as closer as to the core area, the traffic is more rapid with the pilgrimage and disciple (santri)) than the peripheral. The pattern and orientation of housing direction in the “Menara” area are in rows and toward to the south, those seem solid. In the contrary, houses in the peripheral area keeps along the pathways, the pattern is unlawful residence. The settlement situation, for the core area becomes restricted, and the peripheral area becomes more amenable. Besides that, there are traditional Kudus houses in the core area (“Gebyog” house) but not in the peripheral area. From the pattern of the wall, closer to the core area, the walls are higher, but not in the peripheral area. The walls in the peripheral area tend to short even vanished. In the alley, it was founded that the alley closer to the Menara are narrow, on the other hand further from the Menara the alley are wider. From the religious value, the core area is more religious than the peripheral area. In its development, Kudus Kulon has changed not only in the space but also in the behavioral life of the community. These distinction are seen in the core area and peripheral area. Based on the analysis of function and capacity of space, space pattern and value of the community’s life, Kudus Kulon can be delineated into core area and peripheral area. It can be mentioned that core area are consist of area in Kauman, Langgar Dalem, and the South Kerjasan, whether the peripheral area are Kajeksan, Damaran, The North Kerjasan, Janggalan and Demangan.

Kata Kunci : Struktur Tata Ruang Kota,Pola Ruang,Area Inti dan Pinggiran, core area, peripheral area, function and capacity of space, space pattern, value of space