Oil, War, and Urban Deterioration:
The Impact of Conflict and Militarization
in the Middle East
The destabilization caused by regional conflicts has manifested in severe forms of urban deterioration. Physical infrastructure has been destroyed, populations displaced, and urban governance systems fragmented. This breakdown has created a cycle of instability, further deepening socio-economic disparities, fostering informal economies, and eroding the cohesion of urban societies. The rapid militarization of urban spaces has also contributed to the disintegration of the urban fabric, where formerly thriving cities have been reduced to battlegrounds, further compounding the damage.
While much research has focused on the geopolitical dynamics of oil and warfare in the Middle East, fewer studies have explored how these factors directly impact urban spaces and societies. This research addresses this gap by investigating the effects of oil-driven conflict and militarization on the region’s urban environments. The study uncovers how the intersections of oil wealth and war contribute to urban deterioration, reshaping cities and social structures in ways that perpetuate instability and fragmentation.
The findings emphasize the urgent need to rethink urban policies in the Middle East, acknowledging that the region’s recovery requires integrated strategies that address the root causes of urban deterioration. Collaborative governance, where local authorities, community organizations, and regional stakeholders work together, is essential to rebuilding urban spaces and restoring order. The research advocates for strategies that prioritize stabilization, infrastructure rebuilding, and the restoration of social cohesion.
In response to the challenges posed by oil-driven conflict and militarization, the research recommends integrating urban policy reforms with broader political initiatives. These reforms should aim to mitigate the ongoing effects of militarization and displacement while promoting sustainable development in post-conflict cities. By adopting bottom-up approaches, the study highlights the critical role of local stakeholders in driving change and fostering resilience.
Ultimately, the research argues that addressing the dual challenges of oil, war, and urban deterioration requires comprehensive, inclusive approaches to urban reconstruction. By aligning urban regeneration efforts with broader political reforms and peacebuilding initiatives, it is possible to restore stability and create more resilient urban environments in the Middle East.
Images
1. Damaged buildings line a street in the besieged area of Homs. REUTERS Photo, 2014.
2. Residents wait to receive food aid distributed by UNRWA at the besieged Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus. REUTERS Photo, 2014.
Deep-rooted Maladies of Rentier Societies: Social, Economic, and Urban Fragility
This research aims to critically assess the deep-rooted impact of rentierism on oil-dependent societies, particularly in the Middle East. Rentier economies, shaped by reliance on resource rents, face structural issues that impede economic diversification and foster political and social instability. The research seeks to explore the implications of this system, specifically how the concentration of economic power within a rentier class disrupts societal dynamics and undermines the potential for long-term sustainable development.
At the core of rentierism are its maladies, including a rentier mentality (Beblawi, 1987) that limits productivity and innovation, fostering dependency instead of entrepreneurship. This mentality deepens socioeconomic inequalities, as wealth from resource rents concentrates in the hands of a few, while the majority remains excluded from meaningful economic participation. Additionally, the rentier class exerts disproportionate political influence, weakening governance and prioritizing rent distribution over public goods and services.
By examining the rentier mentality and its effects on labor, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the study intends to highlight the barriers to shifting from a rentier to a productive economy.
In particular, it explores the cultural and institutional elements that must be addressed in order to break the cycle of dependency and foster a more diversified economic landscape.
Additionally, the research will delve into the impact of rentierism on urban development and societal cohesion, exploring how the economic model exacerbates social fragmentation and undermines the resilience of urban environments. The study will also explore economic transition strategies, including investments in non-oil sectors, the promotion of entrepreneurial ecosystems, and the advancement of production-oriented industries, which can facilitate a shift towards a more diversified and sustainable economy.
The goal of this study is to identify reliable approaches for transitioning to more inclusive and innovative economic models, providing insights into how non-oil-dependent societies can mitigate the adverse effects of rentierism and promote a more balanced and diversified future. This research also builds on the works of Luciani (1987), who examines the distinction between allocative and productive states, and Mahdavi (1970), who addresses the challenges of rentier economies, to establish a comprehensive framework for understanding these complex issues.
The Oil City Paradox: Re-interpreting "The Persian Story" (1952)
Revisiting Abadan in the Oil AgeDecision makers and planners envisioned Abadan as a symbol of industrial progress, integrating progressive urban planning with the demands of a rapidly growing oil-based economy. However, the city’s master plan starkly highlighted the inequalities of the time, segregating residential areas for expatriates from the overcrowded, underdeveloped neighborhoods for local workers, thereby exposing deep social and economic disparities (Crinson, 1997: 342–46).
Apart from mass infrastructure development to support industrial efficiency, the city faced a dual challenge: residential neighborhoods characterized by modern architecture, green spaces, and advanced amenities for British employees. In contrast, Iranian workers lived in crowded neighborhoods with inadequate services, underscoring the tension between the economic benefits of oil production and the inequalities experienced by the local population (Farmanfarmaian, 1999: 184–85).
Abadan was more than an industrial city; it became a symbol of national identity and modernization. Its refineries powered Iran’s economy, yet the AIOC’s control over the city underscored the economic dependence that many Iranian intellectuals and officials perceived as a threat to national sovereignty.
Yet, AIOC’s priorities, centered on production efficiency and workforce control, often sidelined efforts for equitable development. Consequently, Abadan became a microcosm of colonial and postcolonial struggles, reflecting the clash between foreign dominance and national aspirations (Shiel and Fitzmaurice, 2001: 3–4).
The film The Persian Story (1951), commissioned by the AIOC, represents an attempt to shape a narrative that aligned with corporate interests. While the film aimed to portray Abadan's transformation as a triumph of industrial progress, its reception was mixed. For international audiences, it presented a compelling vision of modernization, showcasing technological advancements and infrastructure improvements. However, among local Iranian workers and intellectuals, the film was often criticized for glossing over the stark inequalities in housing, public services, and labor conditions, thereby failing to capture the full scope of the city's socio-economic realities. This selective representation underscores the broader tensions between the company’s self-presentation and the lived realities of inequality within the city.
The legacy of Abadan’s development demonstorates the risks of neglecting equity in planning and decision-making processes. Examining the socio-economic and cultural complexities of Abadan reveals valuable lessons about the dynamics of oil cities and the pivtal aspect of governance, planning, and urban justice in shaping urban configurations.
cational purposes only. All rights and credits remai
The Persian Story (Colour) (1952)
Provided by BP Archive.
Release Date: 1st January 1952
Asset ID: 802326
Source: BP Archives [https://www.bpvideolibrary.com/record/403]
This video is sourced from the BP Archive and is shared here for educational purposes only. All rights and credits remain with BP.
Platform [Ground Zero]: Unveiling the Hidden Dynamics of Urban Inquiry — 04.12.2024
The lack of an inquisitive approach within urban planning and management—which should be rooted in social frameworks and human-centric values—is significantly influenced by these boundaries. This oversight has led to the marginalization of critical issues such as urban militarization, the impact of war on cities, modern slavery, violence and collective denial, social alienation, polarization, discrimination, and cultural fragmentation. The core question is not just the absence of addressing these issues, but why there is a persistent disregard for questioning and examining them, a matter that warrants deeper analysis.
This research shifts focus from commonly saturated urban questions and structures that yield no novel insights. Instead, it emphasizes the process of observing and understanding urban issues through the dynamic interplay between society, the city, and urban planners. This interaction is seen as a crucial starting point for fostering dialogue and facilitating critical examination.