Aga Khan Program of the Graduate School of Design

Two Squares examines the changing role of public space in the cities of Beirut and Istanbul as they undergo major redevelopment. The study of Beirut looks at the redesign of Martyrs’ Square, and in Istanbul, the focus is on Sirkeci Square. This book examines the nature of public space in the 21st-century city, the history and evolution of public life in Beirut and Istanbul, and the possibilities of using these vital transportation nodes as opportunities for new design strategies.

Focusing on six recent projects, this publication presents the architecture of renowned Turkish architect Han Tumertekin to the English-speaking world. The book examines in detail his ability to engage in some of the more difficult issues confronting architects throughout the world today, such as suburban tract development, landscape and environment, and the challenges of practicing in different countries throughout the world. It is the first of a new series of occasional monographs on contemporary designers in the Middle East and Muslim world.

Deserts are becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations. However, the growth of this tourism niche raises particular challenges, jeopardizing their fragile ecosystems and straining scarce resources. This book seeks to analyze the relationship between tourism and the sustainable development of those territories, addressing issues raised by architecture, landscape design, and planning.

Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have been the major poles of growth and development in Turkey since the Republic was formed, although these three cities have followed very different paths. Through a series of three case studies and an introduction by Turkey’s most renowned urban historian and theorist, Ilhan Tekeli, the book studies the rise of these three main urban centers in Turkey and their roles in organizing the territory and its future reorganization.

A collaborative work among historians, literary specialists, and architects, this collection is directed at filling the gap in our knowledge about minority neighborhoods in the southern Mediterranean.

In the last few years, the Persian Gulf city of Dubai has exploded from the Arabian sands onto the world stage. In The Superlative City, contributors from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and colleagues offer the most serious analyses of the city to appear to date, situating remarkable developments such as the size of real estate projects and the speed of urbanization in their local and global architectural, political, and economic contexts.

This book examines the impact of development policies and politics on the physical environment of the Eastern Mediterranean, a region defined here not as a rigid geographical area but as a larger cultural context. Nine essays examine formal manifestations of development, placing the spotlight on urban and rural schemes, housing projects, and agro-landscapes and dams from Israel to Turkey, and from Greece to Syria.

Through a series of essays by urban historians, economists, and designers, Makina/Medina examines the potential impact of cultural events on the revitalization of historic cities. The aim of this volume is to explore how the urban design set up for a cultural event could help improve access and legibility in this medieval city and to positively affect its economic and social development. The book also includes a series of hypothetical design projects for the Makina Square by Harvard Graduate School of Design students.