Israel is running out of land for development, and Israeli officials are floating an idea for expansion that other small countries have successfully employed: building artificial islands. One of Israel’s biggest needs is a new airport, as the Middle Eastern country currently has only one major international airport, Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The facility… Continue Reading
Greenhouses have long been used to grow produce when the outside conditions aren’t conducive to farming. Middle Eastern countries face increasingly challenging conditions for agriculture, including productive land turning into desert, a lack of water, and harsh weather conditions. As a result, some entrepreneurs are trying an ambitious new type of greenhouse that could help… Continue Reading
While the Middle East is rich in oil, the region is increasingly struggling with the lack of a more important natural resource: water. Changing climates, population growth, and desertification—the process by which fertile land becomes desert—have made water scarce. Experts acknowledge that there is no one solution and that multiple ideas and approaches will be… Continue Reading
Pakistan’s farming sector is in the midst of a severe water shortage that could devastate the country’s summer crops and impact the winter growing season. Government officials hope that projects such as a large dam and a new national water policy will help end the crisis that could affect Pakistan for many years to come… Continue Reading
The Saudi Arabian government is making a massive investment in urban infrastructure as the country prepares for unprecedented population growth in the next decade. The city of Riyadh, for example, which has grown relatively unhindered due to not having any real geographic boundaries, expects its population to increase from 6 million to 8 million by… Continue Reading
The soil and climate of Afghanistan are especially well-suited for pistachio trees, which grow wild in the region. However, many pistachio trees have died due to neglect, war, and drought, while many others have been cut down for firewood. Deforestation is another issue. However, experts hope that more pistachio trees can be planted across the… Continue Reading
A new cruise terminal in Dubai should significantly boost cruise traffic and tourism in the Middle East. Dubai already has a cruise terminal that regularly receives cruise ships, but the Emirate recently announced plans for a new terminal, expected to open in late 2020, that developers hope will create a “maritime hub” in the region.… Continue Reading
As Middle Eastern cities rise from the desert and economic growth facilitates new and innovative building design, architecture is becoming a means for the region to express its identity, culture, and relationship with history. Building design and urban growth in the Middle East can reflect the tension between historic preservation, how cities are responding to… Continue Reading
Developing a healthy tourism industry has been a longtime priority in the Middle East, and area leaders have called for strengthening infrastructure to better accommodate visitors. In 2007, the research group Global Futures and Foresight released a study looking at the implications of infrastructure development in anticipation of a growing tourist industry. At that time,… Continue Reading
While the Middle East has long been known as a major exporter of fossil fuels thanks to rich oil reserves, the region is also embracing renewable energy to provide cheaper, more efficient power to its people. As the population—and energy consumption—grows in the Middle East, innovative companies are challenging nations’ reliance on oil with large-scale… Continue Reading