Middle East

The Middle Eastern country of Qatar is bidding to play host to the 2022 World Cup. But some wonder whether the Cup might do better for the area if it were hosted by a regional coalition.

August 5, 2010 - The Huffington Post

A marsh in Iraq drained by Saddam Hussein and believed by some to be the site of the Garden of Eden is being restored -- despite dangerous risks.

August 3, 2010 - Der Spiegel

Real estate investment is expected to rise sharply in the greater Cairo region. Some fear this will bring about American-style suburban sprawl.

July 31, 2010 - Global Real Estate Monitor

A new bus rapid transit project has begun construction in Amman, Jordan -- a first for the country.

July 26, 2010 - Treehugger

As Qatar plans to spend billions on infrastructure and stadia ahead of its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, locals are hopeful that plans will focus on longer-term impacts.

July 1, 2010 - Reuters

In an op-ed, architect Hillel Schocken calls for greater density in Israel, which he says has 1/5th the public density of Paris.

June 21, 2010 - Haaretz

Officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh are planning to build a central rail hub with an annual passenger capacity of more than 800,000. The station is expected to be complete by 2013.

May 27, 2010 - Building

Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur of Jerusalem is proposing that the city must 'emerge from its [many] walls', and connect and enhance its vibrant public spaces.

May 19, 2010 - myurbanist

The new "Sex and the City" movie was set -- but not shot -- in Abu Dhabi. Now officials there are trying to decide whether or not to release the film to local audiences, as the city tries to control its brand and image.

May 18, 2010 - Associated Press

Already a substantial city of 1.5 million, Mecca more than doubles its population during the annual hajj pilgrimage -- which is expected to bring in 8 million people by 2030. Moving so many people will require a world-class public transit system.

May 13, 2010 - The Globe and Mail

The desert nation of Qatar is trying to win hosting duties for the 2022 World Cup. A new plan to build temporary stadia is helping to increase the country's chances.

April 30, 2010 - Guardian

Described as being the biggest corruption scandal in Israel's history, the Holyland Park scandal highlights the need for tighter regulation of land use planning in Israel. But with the Prime Minister's support for deregulation, reform looks unlikely.

April 26, 2010 - Treehugger

The booming real estate market in Beirut is causing the rapid disappearance of the city's history, says Guardian critic Deen Sharp.

April 2, 2010 - The Guardian U.K.

This oped from The National calls for increased attention to the streetscapes of the United Arab Emirate, specifically the lack of non-palm trees and seating.

April 1, 2010 - The National

The Tel Aviv Municipality has approved a plan to create affordable housing units in the city, making it the first Israeli city to do so.

March 29, 2010 - Sustainable City blog

This article from National Geographic examines the rapidly depleted Jordan River and how saving it could bring Israel and its quarreling neighbors together.

March 23, 2010 - National Geographic

Like the U.S. in the mid-20th Century, much of the growth in Abu Dhabi over the last 35 years has catered primarily to the automobile. But new plans are re-wiring the city to make Abu Dhabi's streets more hospitable to pedestrians.

March 22, 2010 - Gary Toth

The Quartet on the Middle East (the United Nations, the US, the EU and Russia) have issued a statement denouncing the Israeli settlement plan, but Palestinian groups are disappointed that it contains no enforcement provisions.

March 19, 2010 - Al Jazeera English

Seemingly simple, the Jordanian city of Amman has finally managed to build walkable sidewalks.

February 24, 2010 - The New York Times

With its ambitious and extravagant plans, Dubai has fallen hard amid the economic bust. Nearby Qatar, on the other hand, is poised to weather the economic storm a little better.

February 17, 2010 - Time