Middle East

Can Zena Malek Give Arab Cities An Identity?

Recognized as one of the world's most influential female Arabs, architect Zena Malek has emerged as the most outspoken critic of how cities are being built in the Arab world.

September 7, 2006 - Arabian Business

The Parking Dynamics Of Israeli Cities

As is the case in most places, changes in real estate and land use in Israeli cities have quickly translated into changes in the demand, and price paid for, parking spaces.

August 30, 2006 - Haaretz.com

An Environmental Disaster For The Mediterranean

Six weeks after Israel bombed oil storage tanks south of Beirut, spilling between 10,000 and 15,000 tons of heavy fuel oil into the Mediterranean, attempts to clean up the disaster are only beginning to get underway.

August 30, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Major Ecological Disaster In Lebanon

Oil spill threatens Eastern Mediterranean coast and could also affect Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece.

August 11, 2006 - Democracy Now

Environmental Cost Of War A Major Catastrophe For Lebanon

The Israeili bombing of fuel storage tanks, plus the attack on an Israeli warship, have released thousands of tons of oil into the coast off of Lebanon, and there are few resources available for a cleanup operation.

August 2, 2006 - Reuters

Will Fighting Spare The Paris Of The Middle East?

Beirut, thoroughly rebuilt and rejuvenated since the Lebanese civil war, has been heavily damaged in the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, although there is still hope that its downtown may be spared.

July 21, 2006 - WTOP

Dubai Spends Billions To Become Major Global Metropolis

Petro-dollars are fueling the tiny emirate's ambitions to become one of the world's top commercial and tourist destinations. Experts wonder if Dubai's blazing growth is sustainable.

June 28, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

World's Fastest Growing City - A Photo Essay

Dubai is leading the pace as one of the world's fastest growing cities.

June 7, 2006 - Flickr

Coming Soon: The World's Largest Airport And 'Logistics City'

Billing itself as the world's largest airport and logistics center, "Dubai World Central" would be twice the size of Hong Kong Island, with an airport, office and residential zones and a golf resort. A light rail system would link the city's zones.

May 9, 2006 - Travel Daily News

World's Biggest Embassy Will Be Visible From Space

While most aspects of the American reconstruction in Iraq is either behind schedule, over budget, or under investigation for fraud, the United States is building a massive "city within a city", an embassy so large it will be visible from space.

May 4, 2006 - The Times (UK)

Dubai Looks To Improve CBD

The Dubai Forum for Sustainable Urban Development draws scholars from around the world to discuss best practices for development.

March 21, 2006 - AME Info

How To Fix Iraq’s Electricity Grid

The executive editor of the magazine of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has some bright ideas about how to improve electricity provision in Iraq.

March 9, 2006 - The New York Times

Town Planning For Iraq

A UK based town planning agency has been asked to look at the future of Najaf in Iraq.

March 1, 2006 - BBC News

Funds Run Out for 'Reconstructing' Iraq

The Bush Administration is not going to renew reconstruction dollars for Iraq once the present funding ends in June 2007.

January 4, 2006 - The Guardian

Urban Planning In Its Most Primitive Form

The emerging and controversial Israeli barrier wall is in some ways a model of planning reduced to its most primitive goal: separation.

January 3, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

Transforming Dubai

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed's dreams of turning Dubai into an internationally renowned city is getting a boost from 'Dubailand' -- a themepark almost twice as large as Disneyworld.

December 7, 2005 - The Business Online

'The World' Comes To Dubai

Dubai's most ambitious architectural project since 'The Palm' is garnering worldwide attention, much to the delight of city officials.

November 30, 2005 - The Guardian

A Sneak Peak At Ski Dubai

The Alps comes to the desert in the form of the third largest indoor ski resort in the world. Ski Dubai becomes part of the Mall of the Emirates -- the largest shopping center outside of the U.S.

November 23, 2005 - The Observer

A Theme Park For The Holy Land?

American Evangelicals and Israeli officials plan to unveil this month a $60 million park where Jesus walked.

November 10, 2005 - The Christian Science Monitor

Requiem For A Radical

One of Israel's most unconventional planning professors looks back on his career as an outsider.

June 26, 2005 - Haaretz

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.