Brittle states
governances and infrastructure correlations
Built upon technocratic hierarchies, nation-states tend to construct civil infrastructure that favors permanence than adaptability. When, not if, those systems fail1, are people given alternatives?
Spring blooms
Nearly fourteen years later since the Arab world took to the streets, many question whether the dreams and hopes of the 2011 Arab Spring are still alive. Despite enthusiasm for developments in Palestine and Syria suggest people have held on to their dreams, a regime change in a nation-state does not equate to an alternate spatial reality that will meet a movements social, economic and political expectations2. In fact, what led to a second wave of protests in Egypt 2013 was largely due to infrastructure and utility failure across the country despite a new presidency after the 2011 revolution. Hence, activist and political sloganeering may mobilize a society but once positioned to enact change design ideas which accurately reflect the pursuits of people is necessary.
Centering Arabia
Recycling development ideas without contextualizing the time, place and social behavior of society should make intuitive sense. Although technology transfer is natural, the context of the Arab world is neither East or West3 and development should take a form that is indigenous and local to people’s histories. Although there are strong reading communities about religious and political history, technological4 , architectural and land usage innovation in Arab societies remain unknown to the general public5.
Middle Nation
Notions of decentralization and centralization, capitalism and communism, as well as vertical and horizontal systems, have taken many forms throughout history. Ultimately, they serve as narratives people construct to define themselves. The longevity and survival of a society, much like its infrastructure, should remain adaptable to change. However, staying rooted in tradition provides the stability needed to withstand the shifting winds of time.
https://infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/stormwater-infrastructure/
https://ummatics.org/irredeemable-failure-the-modern-nation-state-as-a-nullifier-of-ummatic-unity/
https://www.amazon.com/Islam-Between-East-Alija-Izetbegovic/dp/0892591390
https://www.amazon.com/Islamic-Technology-Illustrated-Ahmad-Al-Hassan/dp/0521422396
https://www.archnet.org/