The Arab city from a socio-historical perspective employing major analytical frameworks for the study of cities. Major elements and forces that contributed to the foundation of the Arab city since the beginning of the twentieth century; debates about “the Islamic city,” colonial legacies, the ruralization of the city, marginality, the informal economy, construction projects and urban planning, the principles of class-and ethnic-based segregation in the contemporary Arab city; issues of the social and political production of urban space; and the unique characteristics of the Arab city compared to other cities.
