Strategic Rebuilding and Affordable Housing in the Muslim World - (Environment and Society) (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book examines the debate over affordable housing and all of its complexities to critique and confront important features of rebuilding, affordability, design methodologies, and challenges in the strategic rebuilding processes.

Book Synopsis

To tackle the paucity of adequate housing in the Muslim World, Strategic Rebuilding and Affordable Housing in the Muslim World brings together a cohort of essays that deal with the the latest approaches, policy discussions, attendant research methodologies and recommendations. The volume's multidisciplinary contributors- academics, practitioners, architects, planners, researchers, urbanists, economists-offer valuable insights and critical analysis on strategic rebuilding of affordable and adequate housing, as well as the continuous improvement of living conditions. Each chapter broadens our understanding of the 'house' as a source of stability and security for individuals or families because one's house is the center of emotional life, with its ability to provide serenity, safety, and self-worth. Therefore, weaving the many aspects of this argument together the contributors of this volume purport a point of view that is carefully well-thought-out to expand the focus from just addressing individual and family needs to looking at the wider community benefits. Furthermore, adequate housing will increasingly become the focus of re-settlement, urban renewal and re-investment, primarily to deal with the homeless conditions that already exist-the influx of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP's) as the result of natural disasters (earthquakes and floods) and the collateral damage caused by war.

Review Quotes

Strategic Rebuilding and Affordable Housing in the Muslim World makes an important contribution to the major issue facing the physical environment of Muslim countries - that of Housing. In sixteen authoritative essays this book investigates architecture and urbanism in a wide range of different countries from Egypt, Zanzibar and the Middle East, to Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia. The authors review policies and problems with insightful analysis of both general principles and specific case studies. Examine both modern urban culture as well as vernacular and informal settlements, this collection adds significantly to our knowledge and understanding of the field. This is a must read.

About the Author

Akel Ismail Kahera is professor of Islamic architecture and urbanism at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Sultan Barakat is professor in public policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and honorary professor at the University of York.
Suzanne Ghadanfar is research fellow for the MSc program in Islamic art, architecture, and urbanism at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and is PhD candidate at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London.