How were our Arab cities crushed? From the Arab Spring to the extermination in Gaza
What makes a city more than just its built environment? How do bridges and public squares transform into a political language in certain nations? And what common thread connects cities across the globe, regardless of their location? In this episode of the *Al-Sharq* podcast, Dr. Abdullah Al-Biyari—a researcher and lecturer specializing in the study of space and movement—explores the city as a linguistic, cultural, and political phenomenon. He examines how the details of daily life and the spirit of the people shape the city into the form we recognize today. The episode focuses on several Arab cities, most notably Cairo—a city of central historical importance—and explores how the processes of demolition and construction intersect with the collective memory of the Egyptian people, particularly through public squares and modern structures that sometimes erase the symbolic significance of a place. The discussion also delves into the symbolism of space, uncovering the relationship between power and memory, while unpacking the profound connection that links language and writing to both the history and the future of the city. The podcast is hosted by journalist and researcher Abdul Rahman Nasser.
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