The book traces urbanisation patterns in Oman looking at the coastal strip of Muscat Capital Area. This metropolitan region emerged within the last 50 years almost out of nowhere and is now home of the majority of the national and expatriate population of Oman. Urbanisation, and the socio-political, economic and environmental aspects attached to it, become an index of the radical spatial transformation of the Sultanate. This process, if managed well, also holds the key to sustainable urban development. Urban Oman invites geographers, planners, urban designers, architects, decision-makers and scholars of Gulf Studies to rethink the emergence of Muscat Capital Area and to embrace the urban Oman. Sonja Nebel, architect and urban planner, is researcher and consultant with focus on international urban development, rehabilitation and urban management, affiliated to TU Berlin and GUtech, Oman. Aurel von Richthofen, architect and urbanist, is working on urban renewal and spatial planning strategies, and is currently researcher at the Future Cities Laboratory in Singapore affiliated to the ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

Changes in economic and social conditions throughout the Middle East have been profound, and perhaps nowhere has this been more evident than in the field of urban development and town planning. This book, first published in 1979, provides a view of the Middle East as it undergoes transition by identifying and analysing the symptoms of change.

The Middle East is well-known for its historic gardens that have developed over more than two millenniums. The role of urban landscape projects in Middle Eastern cities has grown in prominence, with a gradual shift in emphasis from gardens for the private sphere to an increasingly public function. The contemporary landscape projects, either designed as public plazas or public parks, have played a significant role in transferring the modern Middle Eastern cities to a new era and also in transforming to a newly shaped social culture in which the public has a voice. This book considers what ties these projects to their historical context, and what regional and local elements and concepts have been used in their design.

“Whether among the first three to charge the French guns at Medellin, leading his troopers into the enemy ranks at Salamanca, or evolving order out of the chaos that bedevilled the Portuguese Army in 1809, Sir Benjamin D’Urban was not only a brave and resolute soldier but also a painstaking and highly efficient Chief of Staff to Marshal Beresford. Finding, on arrival at Corunna in October 1808, that he had been appointed to that part of the Army left behind in Portugal, D’Urban set out to meet Sir John Moore in the hope of receiving fresh orders. This was the beginning of six years unbroken service which included taking part in ten battles and sieges. After a short period as Staff Officer to Sir Robert Wilson, he was appointed Colonel and QMG to the Portuguese Army by Marshal Beresford in April 1809. The Journals give a day to day summary of the Peninsular Campaign, which was found invaluable by Sir Charles Oman, and provides a counter to what D’Urban considered unfair criticism of Beresford by Sir Charles Napier. Long out of print, this unique record of events fills a need for everyone interested in the campaigns of 1809-1815, particularly in regard to the operations of the Right Wing of the Allied Army and of the part played by the Portuguese Army, which has not always received the credit due for some of its major exploits. The post-war Journals, 1815-1817, bring a telling insight to the problems faced by Beresford and his British officers as the Regents in Portugal aim at the destruction of the proud Army, so lovingly and laboriously created by the Marshal and his staff.”-Print ed.

Riyadh has set its sights on becoming a world city befitting the twenty-first century. To that end it has embarked on a massive construction drive evidenced in the proliferation of proposals for high-end districts, giga-developments and elaborate infrastructures. An urban vision seemingly dedicated to attracting global capital. Yet such a narrative can be misleading. A ‘humanization programme’, initiated during the tenure of its former mayor Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, has complemented the city’s rapid rise by providing spaces catering for the everyday needs of its inhabitants. Yasser Elsheshtawy, in this richly illustrated book, targets these people-centred settings. It is a compelling counter-narrative interweaving critical theoretical insights, personal observations, and serendipitous encounters. He deftly demonstrates how Riyadh thrives through the actions of its people. As the world moves towards an urban model that is resilient and humane, the humanizing efforts of an Arab city are worthy of our attention. Riyadh’s premise is perhaps best captured in the cover image depicting the desert riverbed of Wadi Sulai, filled with rainwater, making its way towards the Saudi capital. Along its banks there will be dedicated public pathways and urban parks. It is a vision of an urbanity where both the spectacular and the everyday coexist. A city that is not just dedicated to the few, but one that serves the many.

Containing papers presented at the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development and Planning this volume brings together the work of academics, policy makers, practitioners and other international stakeholders and discusses new academic findings and their application in planning and development strategies, assessment tools and decision making processes. Problems related to development and planning are present in all areas and regions of the world. Accelerated urbanisation has resulted in both the deterioration of the environment and quality of life. Taking into consideration the interaction between different regions and developing new methodologies for monitoring, planning and implementation, new strategies can offer solutions mitigating environmental pollution and non-sustainable use of available resources. Energy saving and eco-friendly buildings have become an important part of modern day progress with emphasis on resource optimisation. Planning is a key part in ensuring that these solutions along with new materials and processes are efficiently incorporated. Planners, environmentalists, architects, engineers and economists have to work collectively to ensure that present and future needs are met. The papers in the book cover a number of topics, including: City planning; Regional planning; Rural developments; Sustainability and the built environment; Sustainability supply chain; Resilience; Environmental management; Energy resources; Cultural heritage; Quality of life; Sustainable solutions in emerging countries; Sustainable tourism; Learning from nature; Transportation; Social and political issues; Community planning; UN Sustainable Development Goals and Timber Structures.

Urban Geography has been consistently growing as a systematic branch of reographical knowing.Its scope and subject matter has been broadened,its analytical focus has been realigned and its analytical tools have been refined.The book focuses upon multifaceted themes with regard to status,growth and concepts in urban geography,urban settlement pattern of urbanization in developing countries.The uniqueness of the book lies in managing contributions from schools from developing as well as developed counties.The contributions included in this book are indicative of some of the new perspective which urban geography have been studing for quite sometime now.

Optimal Design and Retrofit of Energy Efficient Buildings, Communities, and Urban Centers presents current techniques and technologies for energy efficiency in buildings. Cases introduce and demonstrate applications in both the design of new buildings and retrofit of existing structures. The book begins with an introduction that includes energy consumption statistics, building energy efficiency codes, and standards and labels from around the world. It then highlights the need for integrated and comprehensive energy analysis approaches. Subsequent sections present an overview of advanced energy efficiency technologies for buildings, including dynamic insulation materials, phase change materials, LED lighting and daylight controls, Life Cycle Analysis, and more. This book provides researchers and professionals with a coherent set of tools and techniques for enhancing energy efficiency in new and existing buildings. The case studies presented help practitioners implement the techniques and technologies in their own projects. - Introduces a holistic analysis approach to energy efficiency for buildings using the concept of energy productivity - Provides coverage of individual buildings, communities and urban centers - Includes both the design of new buildings and retrofitting of existing structures to improve energy efficiency - Describes state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies - Presents several cases studies and examples that illustrate the analysis techniques and impact of energy efficiency technologies and controls

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Social housing is a complex system integrated by social, economic, political and city making processes. Social practices in the called social production of the habitat provide clues to understand an alternative way to approach housing solutions in which several dimensions coexist. Through the rationalization of social (self-management), economic (social economy) and urban principles, it was possible the construction of typologies to document and evaluate 3 case studies in Latin America. This book provides a foundation for future research and conception of social housing policies and programs.