Crisis in the Built Environment: The Case of the Muslim City

by Jamel Akbar

Is it not time to search for paradigms beyond capitalism and socialism?

The book argues that interactions between the claims of “ownership”, “control” and “use” can elucidate crisis in our environments through measuring responsibilities. Levels of responsibility created by propeties’ and individuals’ rights developed by societal systems, shape our attitudes and actions in most realms of urban life such as utilization, maintenance, investments, etc. In this edition, further arguments were added such as the impossibility of achieving sustainability and justice within socialism or capitalism.

264 pages, Leather Bound

First published December 1, 1988

About the author

Jamel Akbar’s theoretical contributions are in the field of the built environment. His major contributions are in measuring the quality of the built environment through concepts such as responsibility, control, ownership and State’s interventions. His work concentrates on human’s and properties’ rights among individuals, institutions, and the State. By comparing such rights in different cultures, in his latest book (Qas al-Haq), he developed conclusions concerning economic and social settings and their ramifications on the quality of the environment.

Jamel Akbar studied architecture at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Then he went to MIT (1978-1984) where he had both M.Arch.A.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

From 1984 to 2016, Jamel taught at the University of Dammam. However, in 1990 he taught at MIT as visiting associate professor. Although he held few academic positions such as vice dean, department chairman and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Umran, he was much occupied with developing the concept of his first book Crisis that was published in an Arabic book titled I’marat al-A’rd fi al-I’slam. His most recent book, Qas al-Haq is an attempt to explain patterns of economic behaviors, empowerment, justice, equity, globalization, sustainability and the societies’ progress.

He is the recipient of the 1986 International King Fahad Award for Islamic Architecture and of the 2007 First Award of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities. Jamel is much proud of a letter of recommendation from his mentor John Habraken who taught at MIT for 14 years. In his letter, Habraken stated: “I do not believe in all my years of teaching to have met another student who matched the combination of research skills and ability for theoretical constructs that he brought with him to MIT”.

Reviews

[Abu Kamdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent discussion on city planning, decentralization, property rights, and personal responsibility under Shariah, highlighting the advantages of Shariah over the modern state system.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

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