The Fundamentalist City?: Religiosity and the Remaking of Urban Space

The Fundamentalist City? examines the intersection of religious fundamentalism and urban development across multiple cities and faith traditions. Through case studies spanning from Cairo to Jerusalem to Salt Lake City, the book analyzes how religious ideologies shape the physical and social fabric of urban spaces. The contributors investigate how fundamentalist groups interpret and transform metropolitan environments through architecture, spatial practices, and social control. The research encompasses multiple religions including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, revealing patterns in how fundamentalist movements engage with and modify urban landscapes. The work employs interdisciplinary methods from urban studies, religious studies, sociology, and architectural history to document fundamentalism's impact on city planning and daily life. Field research and historical analysis combine to track the evolution of fundamentalist influence on urban spaces over time. This collection raises questions about secularism, modernity, and the role of religion in contemporary urban development. The book challenges assumptions about the relationship between fundamentalism and urbanism while exploring broader themes of power, identity, and social organization in cities.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Nezar AlSayyad's overall work: Reader reviews focus on AlSayyad's clear explanations of complex urban histories and cultural dynamics. On Goodreads, his book "Cairo: Histories of a City" (3.9/5 from 89 ratings) receives praise for making Cairo's architectural evolution accessible to non-experts. Readers appreciate: - Detailed historical research backed by maps and photographs - Balance of academic rigor with readable prose - Integration of social, political and architectural perspectives - Personal insights from his Egyptian background Common criticisms: - Dense academic language in some sections - Limited coverage of contemporary urban issues - Need for more visual documentation in certain books On Amazon, "Streets of Islamic Cairo" maintains a 4.2/5 rating (26 reviews), with readers highlighting its value as a reference text. A reviewer notes: "AlSayyad presents complex urban theories without oversimplifying them." Google Scholar citations indicate his academic impact, with "Cairo: Histories of a City" cited over 300 times in scholarly works.

Sacred Spaces by Wei Li and Rina Ghose This urban geography text examines how religious communities transform metropolitan spaces through cultural practices, architecture, and social movements.

Faith in the City by Angela Zito The book analyzes religious institutions' impact on urban development and spatial politics in modern global cities.

Religion and Urban Politics by Michael Wilkinson A detailed study of how religious organizations influence city planning, governance, and community formation in contemporary metropolises.

Urban Religious Events by Peter Hopkins This research explores how religious festivals, rituals, and gatherings reshape urban spaces and influence city identity.

Sacred Architecture in a Secular Age by Helen Rose Ebaugh The text examines how religious buildings and spaces continue to shape urban landscapes and social relationships in modern secular cities.

🏛️ The book challenges common assumptions that fundamentalism is strictly tied to Islam, examining religious urban spaces across multiple faiths including Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism. 🌆 Author Nezar AlSayyad is both an architect and urban historian, bringing a unique dual perspective to how religious beliefs physically shape city landscapes. 🕰️ The research explores how modern cities are being transformed by religious movements in ways that mirror medieval urban planning, when religious institutions were central to city design. 🌍 The book includes case studies from diverse locations including Cairo, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, and Mumbai, demonstrating how religious urbanism is a global phenomenon. 📚 AlSayyad founded the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley and has written extensively on Islamic architecture, making him a leading voice in understanding how religion and urban development intersect.