Transformation of Urban Identity: The Case of Amman since the Post-World War II

Abstract

The urban landscape of traditional cites was the product of its culture representing its historical and sociocultural characteristics. These diverse urban landscapes of cities around the world have been transformed over the past four decades into what is referred to as an international style for economic purpose. While this transformation increases the potential of the city entering into the world market, promoting economic growth, social development and modernization, at the same time it causes social polarization, inequality and in most cases losing its traditional urban character. The critical questions arise in this realization are: what are the influences of this transformation on the urban identity of cities? And, what impacts that would have on social life? The paper discusses the above questions through the case study of Amman City. It explores factors contributed to the historical formation of the urban identity of Amman, its transformation since the Post-World War II, and finally, presents a critique on the rapid transformation over the last three decades and its impact on the socio-cultural environment of the city.