The transcendent Dimension of Cities

Abstract

Caught between the past when traditional religious beliefs structured most world views and the current reign of quantity and material consumerism that is threatening the very existence of life on earth, we remain in anxious anticipation of the yet unknown next phase of human consciousness to help mitigate life’s unfolding challenges. Thus, human beings exist in a transitional situation that is precarious and yet full of potential. Within this panorama this paper focuses on two less challenging, yet pivotal questions regarding our urban environments: “What are the transcendent foundations that have given birth and historically sustained great cities of the Middle East over the last ten millennia and what can we learn from them that may inform and influence the holistic transformation and life patterns of our cities today and their future?”