This event represents the culmination of a collaborative research project between LSE and the American University of Beirut.
This seminar addresses current processes of urban development in Beirut, focusing on the Ras Beirut neighbourhood. In contrast to the well-established literature on gentrification in North American and European cities, and increasing focus on development logics in cities in emerging and transitional economies, there is comparatively little academic research on urban restructuring in cities in the Middle East.
The seminar explores the remaking of Ras Beirut from the standpoint of comparative urbanism – highlighting the specificities of this case, placing it in the context of regional and international capital flows and real estate development, and analysing the relevance of established frameworks in critical urban studies and political economy to such a setting. The seminar is based on extended research in Ras Beirut, including fieldwork interviews with residents and other actors, and spatial and economic mapping of property and development processes.
Event Details
Speakers: Dr Fran Tonkiss, LSE; Dr Mona Khechen, AUB
Chair: Dr Romola Sanyal, LSE
Date: Thursday 1 October 2015
Time: 16.30 - 18.30
Location: Room 9.04, Tower 2, Clement's Inn, LSE
Event Hashtag: #LSEAUB
Attendance: Registration for this event has now closed.
Speaker
Dr Fran Tonkiss is Reader in Sociology and Director of the Cities Programme. Her research focuses on urban economies, development and gentrification, and urban divisions and public space. She has a PhD in Sociology from the University of London, and has led the LSE’s studio-based MSc City Design and Social Science since 2008.
Dr Mona Khechen is a regular consultant on urban development to the Aga Khan Foundation and the United Nations, and serves as adjunct professor in architecture, urban planning and landscape design at AUB. She received her PhD in Design from Harvard University, Masters in Planning from the Development Planning Unit at University College London, and a Bachelors of Architecture from AUB.