Being Urban: Community, Conflict and Belonging in the Middle East

In Being Urban, Simon Goldhill and his team of urbanists explore the meaning of the urban condition, particularly in the Middle East, with reference to five questions: how can a city be planned and flexible, how does it represent itself, how does violence erupt, and what is the relationship between infrastructure and politics? The book is divided into four sections: engagement and space, infrastructure and space, conflict and structures, and curating the city, with examples from across the Middle East.

Format: Hardback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In their captivating book, Being Urban, Simon Goldhill and his esteemed team of urbanists delve into the profound essence of the urban condition, with a special focus on the Middle East. As Goldhill elucidates in his introductory remarks, "What is a good city?" serves as the driving force behind this insightful exploration. Five crucial questions propel the book's narrative:

How can a city be meticulously planned while preserving the potential for flexibility, change, and the well-being of its citizens?

How does the city perceive itself, shaping its identity and envisioning its past, present, and future?

What is the experience of dwelling in and navigating a city?

How does violence emerge within and impact a city, and what strategies of reconciliation and reconstruction can be employed?

Finally, what is the intricate relationship between the city's infrastructure and the political process?

After the introductory chapter, the book is organized into four sections: Engagement and Space, Infrastructure and Space, Conflict and Structures, and Curating the City. Within each chapter, the contributors offer their perspectives on various aspects of urban infrastructure and culture, citizenship, belonging, and exclusion, politics and conflict, drawing from examples across the Middle East, spanning from Cairo to Tehran, Tel Aviv to Istanbul.

Beyond enriching our understanding of the topography of citizenship in the Middle East and beyond, Being Urban makes a significant contribution to addressing one of the most pressing questions of our time: What constitutes a truly excellent city? This thought-provoking work will undoubtedly inspire and guide policymakers, urban planners, and citizens alike in their quest to create thriving, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.

Weight: 790g
Dimension: 180 x 252 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367898465