Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East - Hardcover

Al-Asad, Mohammad

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813040175 ISBN 13: 9780813040172

Publisher: University Press of Florida, 2012

Synopsis

Beginning at the end of the first Gulf War, the Middle East entered a new era of architectural and urban development defined by increased levels of globalisation and private sector investment. In the decade that followed, the region was home to a wealth of architectural projects that challenged conventional thinking about architecture and the Middle East itself.

Mohammad al-Asad provides an in-depth examination of an abundance of these projects, from homes and schools to hotels and religious centres. Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East examines the economic, political, and cultural context in which the projects were created. The book’s photographs bring attention to previously unaddressed aspects of modern Arabic architecture, highlighting local talent emerging throughout the region.

About this title

About the Author

Mohammad al-Asad is an architect, author, and architectural historian, as well as the founding director of the Center for the Study of the Built Environment. He has published numerous books on the architecture of the Middle East and writes a column on urbanism that appeared in the Jordan Times for a number of years.

From the Back Cover

At the end of the first Gulf War, the Middle East entered a new era of architectural and urban development defined by increased levels of globalization and private sector investment. In the decade that followed, the region was home to a wealth of architectural projects that challenged conventional thinking about architecture and the Middle East itself.

The outside world typically views the region as dominated by violence. The international media's coverage of the Middle East often emphasizes political instability and brewing problems. Frequently overlooked is the economic and political stability that prevailed in many countries in the region during the past few decades and the possibilities for growth and development. The occasional rocking of the boat brought about by surges in political or religious extremism, military adventurism, decreases in oil prices, or acts of terrorism did not undermine that overall stability. The passion with which building projects have been carried out in the Middle East is one reflection of a faith and belief in the potentialities of this growing part of the world.

Mohammad al-Asad provides an in-depth examination of more than one hundred projects, from homes and schools to hotels and religious centers, with a stop at the world's tallest building along the way. Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East examines the economic, political, and cultural context in which the projects were conceived and built. The book's photographs bring attention to previously unaddressed aspects of modern Arabic architecture, highlighting local talent emerging throughout the region.

The outside world typically views the region as dominated by violence. The international media's coverage of the Middle East often emphasizes political instability and brewing problems. Frequently overlooked is the economic and political stability that prevailed in many countries in the region during the past few decades and the possibilities for growth and development. The occasional rocking of the boat brought about by surges in political or religious extremism, military adventurism, decreases in oil prices, or acts of terrorism did not undermine that overall stability. The passion with which building projects have been carried out in the Middle East is one reflection of a faith and belief in the potentialities of this growing part of the world.

Mohammad al-Asad provides an in-depth examination of more than one hundred projects, from homes and schools to hotels and religious centers, with a stop at the world's tallest building along the way. Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East examines the economic, political, and cultural context in which the projects were conceived and built. The book's photographs bring attention to previously unaddressed aspects of modern Arabic architecture, highlighting local talent emerging throughout the region.

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of Florida
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813040175
• ISBN 13: 9780813040172
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320