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Urban Morphology in South-Eastern Mediterranean Cities: Challenges and Opportunities

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E-Book

Over the past few decades, South-Eastern Mediterranean cities have become radically altered in the sense of scale, scope and complexity as a result of globalization, increased mobility at all levels, massive internal movements of labour, climate change, technological developments, economic fluctuations, unemployment and urban conflicts. Migration flows as well as internal displacements and the movement of refugees, demographic, spatial and socio-cultural changes have had profound consequences on city life and have created an increasingly diverse and continuously transformed urban population. Contemporary everyday life is, in these parts of the world, characterized by diverse manifestations of instability which continuously challenge and redefine everyday patterns of living and cities' infrastructures and urban form.

Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe, with a prolonged history of conflict, internal refugees' displacements, migration and tourists' flows, economic fluctuations and rapid, often abrupt urban transformations serves as an ideal laboratory to explore, unravel, and question urban form development in contexts of uncertainty and contestation. It is a city of contrasts in terms of its spatial, social, cultural and economic composition. The location of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean offers a unique venue at the confluence of three continents and a multitude of cultures that face unique urban challenges. In a region of intense conflict, Cyprus offers a common ground for bringing people together in a neutral venue and it has acted thus numerous times in its past. The island is currently dealing with urban issues related to the movement of refugees and other transient populations in the region and to the influx of foreign investors, seeking luxury housing in its coastal cities. While increasing populations from Europe and beyond continue to settle in the island, Cyprus is also now facing a renewed need to provide housing for local people facing challenges due to the recent economic crisis. Cities' urban development and sustainability have thus been central in the local and national agendas, providing a unique opportunity for urban morphology research and scientific knowledge to contribute towards this end.

Architecture

Nevter Zafer Cömert, Şebnem Hoşkara, Nadia Charalambous

2018

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