How Planning Cultures, The Academy, and The Making of the Modern Middle East Lateral

The Middle East has always been a region of great historical, cultural, and political significance. It is a place where ancient civilizations thrived, where empires rose and fell, and where the foundations of many modern societies were laid. But what role did planning cultures and the academy play in shaping the modern Middle East? In this article, we will explore the intricate relationship between planning cultures, the academy, and the making of the Middle East as we know it today.

The Birth of Modern Middle East:

The modern Middle East, as we know it today, is a product of various factors, including colonialism, nationalism, and economic interests. But one often overlooked aspect is the role of planning cultures and the academy in shaping the region's urban and rural landscapes, infrastructure, and social structures.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers began to establish colonies and protectorates in the Middle East. These colonial powers, including Britain and France, brought with them their own planning cultures and ideologies that aimed to transform the region in their own image.

Landed Internationals: Planning Cultures, the Academy, and the Making of the Modern Middle East (Lateral Exchanges: Architecture, Urban Development, and Transnational Practices)

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

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The academy, meanwhile, played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of the Middle East. Western-educated scholars and thinkers, both native to the region and from abroad, contributed to the formation of new ideas, concepts, and visions for the future of the Middle East. They brought with them the knowledge and expertise gained from academic institutions in Europe and America, and applied it to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Middle East.

The Role of Planning Cultures:

Planning cultures refer to the set of beliefs, practices, and approaches that guide the planning and development of cities and regions. Different planning cultures have distinct philosophies and priorities, and often reflect the values and aspirations of the societies in which they emerge. In the context of the Middle East, planning cultures brought by European colonial powers clashed with the existing traditions, cultures, and ways of life of the region.

One prominent example of planning cultures in the Middle East is the of modern urban planning and architecture. European powers, particularly Britain and France, sought to create modern, orderly cities that reflected their own ideals of progress and civilization. Wide boulevards, grand public buildings, and organized residential areas became a common sight in many Middle Eastern cities, often at the expense of indigenous communities and traditional urban fabrics.

However, it is important to note that not all planning cultures imposed by colonial powers were universally negative. Some aspects of European planning cultures, such as the of public health measures and improved sanitation systems, brought significant improvements to the living conditions of the local population.

The Academy's Influence:

The academy, represented by academic institutions and intellectuals, played a key role in shaping the modern Middle East. Scholars brought new ideas, methodologies, and perspectives to the region, influencing both the educated elite and the general population.

One of the most influential areas of study was political science and governance. Middle Eastern scholars, including many educated in the West, sought to understand and address the challenges of governance in a changing world. They critically analyzed colonial power structures, proposed alternative models of government, and advocated for independence and self-determination.

The academy also played a significant role in shaping the cultural and artistic landscape of the Middle East. Literature, poetry, and art became platforms for expressing national identities and aspirations. Prominent scholars and artists emerged, shaping the discourse around identity, heritage, and modernity in the region.

The Modern Middle East Lateral:

The modern Middle East, shaped by planning cultures and academic influence, is characterized by complex and often contradictory dynamics. The legacy of colonial interventions and planning cultures continues to shape the region's urban landscapes and social structures. At the same time, the Middle East has witnessed a resurgence of indigenous planning theories and practices, as well as a critical reevaluation of colonial legacies.

The academy, too, has played a key role in fostering critical thinking, research, and dialogue on the future of the Middle East. Scholars have sought to challenge dominant narratives, propose alternative visions, and engage in debates about identity, politics, and development.

, planning cultures, the academy, and the making of the modern Middle East are deeply intertwined. The region's urban and rural landscapes, infrastructure, and social structures have been shaped by the clash and convergence of different planning cultures, driven by European colonial powers and local intellectuals. Understanding this intricate relationship is essential for comprehending the complexities and challenges faced by the modern Middle East.

Landed Internationals: Planning Cultures, the Academy, and the Making of the Modern Middle East (Lateral Exchanges: Architecture, Urban Development, and Transnational Practices)

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27039 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages

FREE

Landed Internationals examines the international culture of postwar urban planning through the case of the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. Today the center of Turkey's tech, energy, and defense elites, METU was founded in the 1950s through an effort jointly sponsored by the UN, the University of Pennsylvania, and various governmental agencies of the United States and Turkey. Drawing on the language of the UN and its Technical Assistance Board, Erdim uses the phrase "technical assistance machinery" to encompass the sprawling set of relationships activated by this endeavor.

Erdim studies a series of legitimacy battles among bureaucrats, academics, and other professionals in multiple theaters across the political geography of the Cold War. These different factions shared a common goal: the production of nationhood—albeit nationhood understood and defined in multiple, competing ways. He also examines the role of the American architecture firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill; the New York housing policy guru Charles Abrams; the UN and the University of Pennsylvania; and the Turkish architects Altuğ and Behruz Çinici. In the end, METU itself looked like a model postwar nation within the world order, and Erdim concludes by discussing how it became an important force in transnational housing, planning, and preservation in its own right.