CONNECTION 6.3Urbanization in Arab Speaking Cultures

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What are the effects of urbanization on the people of Arab-Speaking countries?

ACTIVATING

Urbanization in Dubai Discuss the following video and what it

represents about people moving from the rural areas to the cities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TjeyzsUmTs

CONNECTING

Urban Growth in the Arab World Access the following link: Urbanization in the Arab World:

Part of the “Urban Millenium” http://www.lebanonissues.com/en/?p=4

44 Urbanization in the Arab World Activity

Sheet debrief

CONNECTING

Saudi Arabia and Urbanization: Read these two sections from the article below: “location and geography” “Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space in Saudi Arabia” http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Saudi-Arabia.html#b Answer the following questions in your notes: 1. Describe the climate in Saudi Arabia 2. Where is the oil wealth located? Which cities? 3. Describe the population in 1950. what is the urban

population in 1995? 4. Describe the urbanization of the cities during the last 20

years. Debrief….In discussing answers………

FOCUS

Think about what it would be like to live in a city. Be prepared to share your thoughts on this.

CONNECTING

City Living What comes to your mind when you think of an

apartment in a city. Malkawa: A New City in Saudi Arabia http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/12/12/arts

/design/20101213-desert.html?ref=design&_r=0 Read the following news article Saudi Urban Projects are a Window to

Modernity http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/arts/design/13

desert.html?_r=2&ref=glob-al-home Comments? Lets focus on the section that states

…..the Saudi government says…….

SUMMARIZING

Urbanization and the Arab Spring Read the following quote and in your journals

justify why you think urbanization may, or may not, account for conflicts in the Arab World, such as the uprising in the “Arab Spring”.

Urbanization brings its own problems….governments face housing shortages, overuse of municipal services….and overburdened social services , from schools to healthcare centers to job centers.