摘要
The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.
