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Middle Eastern Cities: A Symposium on Ancient, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Urbanism is an essential exploration of the enduring relationship between urban centers and their surrounding societies throughout the history of the Middle East. This collection emerges from a landmark symposium held at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1966, which convened leading scholars across disciplines to examine the dynamic roles cities have played in political, cultural, and economic spheres across ancient, Islamic, and modern contexts. Spanning discussions on the interplay between urban and rural areas, demographic transitions, social hierarchies, and the impact of cultural and religious institutions, the volume seeks to weave together disparate strands of research into a cohesive understanding of Middle Eastern urbanism.

Central themes include the interdependence between cities and their environments—be it ecological, economic, or cultural—and the internal structures that shape urban societies, from kinship networks and religious institutions to evolving patterns of social stratification and integration. Contributions from renowned scholars such as Professors Oppenheim, Grabar, and Issawi delve into specific facets of urban life, while a concluding essay synthesizes broader methodological and theoretical implications for the study of cities. Enhanced by thoughtful discussions and edited transcripts of conference exchanges, this volume stands as a significant contribution to the study of urbanism, offering a multidimensional lens for understanding the historical and ongoing transformations of Middle Eastern societies.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1969.

and Contemporary Middle Eastern Urbanism