Contemporary Urban Landscapes of the Middle East

<p>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.</p>