This thoughtful new study presents a detailed survey of traditional urban structures in Arab countries and an analysis of the problems faced by ancient cities as they confront modern development and Western technologies. It will appeal to architects and planners professionally involved in the Middle East and in the Third World, and to anyone interested in Islamic architecture and culture in general. Stefano Bianco builds a bridge between past and present, between theory and practice. He combines a thorough knowledge of historic building types in the Arab world with an understanding of the modern architectural transformations occurring in Islamic cities. The rich visual documentation complements his text and includes maps, plans, and photographs, many previously unpublished.