Seminar WiSe 2024/25
Dr. Hassan Elmouelhi, Hellen Aziz

Contemporary Arab Urbanism V
Exploring the future of Arab cites

This seminar introduces the current urbanization trends and challenges in the MENA/Arab region. Urbanism in Arab countries is currently on different paths. Some countries are still suffering from civil wars, others are struggling with political reforms. On the other hand, the Gulf countries are booming with many mega urban projects that are still controversial, creating a new identity accompanied by a diversification of economic resources.

Photo © Elmouelhi 2022

The seminar will discuss the geopolitical situation in different countries of the MENA/Arab region and its impact on urbanization processes, different typologies of urban settlements and the question of urban identity in specific cases. The course will focus on the opposition between urban traditions and the modernization process, and how participation is perceived and practiced. 
Issues such as public space, smart cities, urban agriculture, water management, and land governance will be core themes that represent the roles and relationships between the state, citizens, and other stakeholders. 
The right to the city and vulnerable groups will be examined. This will include the discussion of cases from Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt, as well as some reflections and contributions from invited experts who will share their experiences from other Arab countries. 

This seminar will be combined with a workshop in one of the partner Arab countries (Iraq), in addition to a workshop in Berlin, as part of the international cooperation projects “Power Relations in Urban Governance: Participation in Arab Public Space”, funded by the DAAD - TAZIZ (2023-2025), and “Towards Greener Egyptian Cities”, funded by the DAAD Program Praxispartners (2023-2026).
 

Download poster here.