Emerging trends in urbanizing Palestine: neglected city-builders beyond the occupation. Issue 7 (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chitti, Marco; Moser, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Urban geography. Volume 40:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 1010
• Page End: 1017
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: Urban development -- West Bank -- mega-development -- Palestine -- policy circulation -- globalisation; Urban geography -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1080/02723638.2019.1596706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-3638

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article, we draw attention to trends in land transformation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada, after which a surge of investment from Gulf countries entered Palestine, almost exclusively in the West Bank. The occupied Palestinian territories have attracted a great deal of attention from media and academics, yet the vast majority of scholarship focuses on the conflict and the variety of social, economic, and political repercussions of the on-going Israeli occupation. While the occupation has undeniably serious impacts on every aspect of life for Palestinians, the near-exclusive focus on the conflict means that significant new trends, such as urban mega-developments and emerging market-based urbanisation processes, have been largely overlooked. We outline three directions for future research: the assemblage of "neglected city-builders" shaping current urbanization processes in Palestine; the ideas, policies, and norms circulating in the West Bank; and the social, spatial, economic, and other impacts of these new urban developments.