Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East
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.
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.