[This is a monthly roundup of news articles, and other materials related to urban issues in the region, and beyond. It does not reflect the views of the Cities Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send recommendations for inclusion in the Cities Media Roundup to cities@jadaliyya.com, mentioning "Roundup" in the subject line. We also welcome your submissions to the Cities Page, please check details on cities.jadaliyya.com]
Urban Planning and Policies
More Investments in Tangier (Morocco)
Fair Observer reports on Renault’s investment in Tangier Mediterranean Port and the development of its free trade zone, which will have a major impact on the city and its dwellers, especially its migrant workers.
Gentrification in Istanbul
David Lepeska examines the impacts of high-end projects and massive infrastructure in Istanbul, arguing that gentrification is excluding the locals and transforming the city.
New Mega Project in Dubai
Gulf News reports on the groundbreaking of Dubai's new $6.8 billion mega-project titled “Mall of the World”. This 48 million sq.ft. "indoor city" is a climate-controlled indoor city including retail streets, hotels, shopping malls, and a wellness district, and will feature replica landmarks from cities around the world.
No Housing Policy for the Poor in Egypt
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) critiques the new budget, which excludes policies that support poor’s people to adequate housing. The EIPR has conducted three housing policy papers on this issue, available on their site.
A Master Plan for Protecting the Environment in Lebanon
Bassam al-Kantar from Al-Akhbar reports on the Lebanese Ministry of Environment's master plan developed for protecting the mountain tops and the coast, as well as the green, agricultural and ecological areas.
Mobility and Public Space
Public Spaces in Cairo
Mai Sameh from Al-Ahram Weekly reports on one of Cairo’s old and major attractions, the Fish garden, in Zamalek.
Remembering the Metro in Hilwan (Egypt) (in Arabic)
Galal Amin reflects in al-Masri al-Yawm on Hilwan metro station and how it changed over time.
Closure of Horch Beirut Goes On
Hadil Farfour from Al-Akhbar reports on the continuing closure of the Horch Beirut public park by the municipality of Beirut.
Spaces of the Poor and the Refugees
Evictions in Musheireb (Doha)
Doha News reports on the forced evictions of several hundred South Asian residents of the Asmakh area of Musheireb in Doha—the target of high-end real-estate development.
Urban Policies for Spectacle in Egypt
Cairo Observer critiques how Egyptian leaders create media spectacles around enforcing the law on the poor, rather than addressing seriously urgent urban problems.
The Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan
The New York Times discovers Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, which houses hundreds of Syrian refugees and reports on its growth, its community-based organization, and its management.
Conflict and Cities
Infrastructural and Military Violence in Gaza
Léopold Lambert creates a map illustrating both the infrastructural and militaristic aspects of the siege of Gaza, featured on his blog The Funambulist.
Reflections on the Zionist Panopticon
Anna Jacobs reports for Muftah on the ubiquity of the security apparatus in Israel and urban life in a panopticon city.
Destruction of Monuments in Iraq (in Arabic)
Arabic RT reports on the destruction by ISIS of holy sites and graves in Mahlabieh, Mosul, and Tell ‘Afr, in Ninwa, north of Iraq.
Sectarian Transnational Politics and New Territories in Iraq and Syria
Noria Research publishes three maps on Iraq and Syria's regional alliances, transnational actors, local and national settings and the war economy. They are accompanied by analysis of transnational sectarian actors, pragmatic alliances and state resilience.
Kurdish troops take Kirkuk in Iraq
Arbella Bet Schlimon provides critical commentary on the strategic importance of the recent Kurdish takeover of the diverse northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk.
Urban Economics and Corruption
Dubai and Iran's Economic Ties (in French)
Amin Moghadam examines Iranian migrants in Dubai, and their role as intermediaries for economic exchange with Iran, with a focus on their increasing central position since the election of Hassan Rohani.
Corruption in Lebanese Transportation Sector (in Arabic)
Al-Akhbar publishes a file reporting on the corruption in the transportation sector in Lebanon, detailing in several stories its take-over by private entrepreneurs associated to political elites and to the police in several cities across Lebanon
Video: Cairo's Taxi Drivers on the Increase in Fuel Prices (in Arabic)
Al-Shuruk features a video showcasing the angry views of Cairo taxi drivers’ on the recent controversial increase in fuel prices in Egypt.
Report: Electricity Costs in Egypt (in Arabic)
The Shadow Ministry of Housing in Egypt blog publishes new data about electricity costs, its geographic distribution and its dire impacts on the poor.
Featured Reports and Resources
Report: Nahnoo Authors Urban Study of Baalbak (Lebanon)
The Lebanese NGO Nahnoo releases a new urban study on the city of Baalbak.
Project: LSE Cities’ “New Urban Governance”
LSE Cities announces its new research project entitled “New Urban Governance: Urban Complexity and Institutional Capacities of Cities” which examines multiple aspects of municipal planning, management and governance, mainly in world regions.
Newsletter: Marseilles' CMI's Urbanization Knowledge Platform
The Marseille Center for Mediterranean Integration launches the first newsletter of the "Urban Knowledge Platform" that aims at facilitating knowledge exchange among decision-makers concerned with urban development in the MENA region.
Maps: On the History of the Occupation of Palestine, Israeli Apartheid and Gaza Blockade
Media news in July were dominated by the daily tragic deaths of the Israeli “Operation Cast Lead” on Gaza (1,025 people at the time of publishing this Media Roundup). The PASSIA maps (The Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs) date back to 2007, but provide valuable information visualizing the history of the occupation of Palestine, the Israeli apartheid, and include a map on Gaza's blockade.