This book fills an important gap in the knowledge of Middle Eastern cities by reconstructing the historical process of Sanandaj's formation and development until the rise of modernization in Iran. It contributes to an understanding of the nature of Kurdish settlements by paying attention to the interaction between the multifarious social and spatial forces that have conditioned the processes and patterns of city formation and development over time. In line with this, it points to similarities and differences with other Islamic and Iranian cities. This comprehensive insight into the morphology of Sanandaj responds to the clear need to consolidate the scarce formal literature and local documentation on the city. In addition, it calls for a methodological approach in which the investigation of any individual example should aim at establishing clearly what is unique and peculiar to the place and explicable only through understanding local conditions. More importantly, this book also provides a foundation for further studies of other Kurdish cities in the region particularly in Iraq, Turkey and Syria where most Kurdish cities are located. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers of urban studies, geography, social science and Kurdish studies.
