Middle East

Three times larger than Saudi Arabia's proven reserves, the oil shale deposits in the Western United States are already being tapped, and are expected to eventually produce 10 million barrels/day in potentially an environmentally friendly manner.

Recognized as one of the world's most influential female Arabs, architect Zena Malek has emerged as the most outspoken critic of how cities are being built in the Arab world.

As is the case in most places, changes in real estate and land use in Israeli cities have quickly translated into changes in the demand, and price paid for, parking spaces.

Six weeks after Israel bombed oil storage tanks south of Beirut, spilling between 10,000 and 15,000 tons of heavy fuel oil into the Mediterranean, attempts to clean up the disaster are only beginning to get underway.

Oil spill threatens Eastern Mediterranean coast and could also affect Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece.

The Israeili bombing of fuel storage tanks, plus the attack on an Israeli warship, have released thousands of tons of oil into the coast off of Lebanon, and there are few resources available for a cleanup operation.

Beirut, thoroughly rebuilt and rejuvenated since the Lebanese civil war, has been heavily damaged in the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, although there is still hope that its downtown may be spared.

Petro-dollars are fueling the tiny emirate's ambitions to become one of the world's top commercial and tourist destinations. Experts wonder if Dubai's blazing growth is sustainable.

Dubai is leading the pace as one of the world's fastest growing cities.

Billing itself as the world's largest airport and logistics center, "Dubai World Central" would be twice the size of Hong Kong Island, with an airport, office and residential zones and a golf resort. A light rail system would link the city's zones.

While most aspects of the American reconstruction in Iraq is either behind schedule, over budget, or under investigation for fraud, the United States is building a massive "city within a city", an embassy so large it will be visible from space.

The Dubai Forum for Sustainable Urban Development draws scholars from around the world to discuss best practices for development.

The executive editor of the magazine of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has some bright ideas about how to improve electricity provision in Iraq.

A UK based town planning agency has been asked to look at the future of Najaf in Iraq.

The Bush Administration is not going to renew reconstruction dollars for Iraq once the present funding ends in June 2007.

The emerging and controversial Israeli barrier wall is in some ways a model of planning reduced to its most primitive goal: separation.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed's dreams of turning Dubai into an internationally renowned city is getting a boost from 'Dubailand' -- a themepark almost twice as large as Disneyworld.

Dubai's most ambitious architectural project since 'The Palm' is garnering worldwide attention, much to the delight of city officials.

The Alps comes to the desert in the form of the third largest indoor ski resort in the world. Ski Dubai becomes part of the Mall of the Emirates -- the largest shopping center outside of the U.S.

American Evangelicals and Israeli officials plan to unveil this month a $60 million park where Jesus walked.