Spotlight: Where is Shibam and why is it important?

Library > Community Presentations

Presenter: Hiba AI-Ashtal

Delivered: NYC on February 11, 2024

In this presentation, Hiba talks about Shibam as one of the oldest examples of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. Shibam is a city in Yemen known for its mudbrick high-rises and is often referred to as the “Manhattan of the Desert,” a term that was coined by a British explorer by the name of Freya Stark, who visited Yemen during her travels in the 1930s.

Sources & Future References

• UNESCO  World Heritage List. Old Walled City of Shibam

• Old Walled City of Shibam (UNESCO/NHK)

• Lewcock, R. Wadi Hadramawt and the lost city of Shibam. 1986

• Leiermann, T. Rehabilitation of historic Shibam and Zabid, Yemen as an impulse for community and economy. Built Heritage. 2021

• Shipman, J.G.T. The Hadhramaut. Asian Affairs. 1984

• Zimmerle, W. G. "Chapter 1 Frankincense and Its Arabian Burner". In All Things Arabia. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. 2020

• Damluji, SS. On Site Review Report. Urban Development project. 2007

Note: All community presentations are prepared & presented by non-experts on the subject. They are sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in that subject.

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About Afikra Community Presentations

Delivered and prepared by afikra Community members, the presentation’s goal is to showcase the presenter’s curiosity and research and share some knowledge on a ‎topic related to the Arab world’s histories and cultures. The presentation is the ‎culmination of the afikra coaching process to help identify a topic, find research, and develop the ‎presentation. afikra presentations come in two forms, a long question-driven afikra Feature, and a short afikra FWD with the purpose of sharing something interesting.