Globalization and its Effect on the Social, Economic and Physical Structure of Islamic Cities

The focus of the present article is on the effects of globalization on the structure of the cities of Islamic countries, and in particular the social, economic and physical structure of these cities. In this paper, after presenting an introduction to the process of globalization and its characteristics, the effects of this process on each of the above dimensions have been studied.
One of the most important effects of globalization on the social structure of cities of the Islamic countries referred to in this article is the separation of the sacred space (Lahuti) from the unholy space (Nasuti) in the Islamic cities and, consequently, the loss of the integrity and unifying quality of these cities.
The effects of globalization in the economic structure of Islamic countries can be summed up in issues such as dependent economics, an unequal relationship of the center- around type to the metropolitan western cities, single-product economy, dual economy, and severe class inequality.
Changes in the physical structure of Islamic cities through the process of globalization have also been examined in general in two separate categories: the changes that have taken place in the natural elements and environment of these cities and the changes that have been made in its built and man-made environment.
Therefore, in the author's view, the effects of globalization in the structure of Islamic cities have generally been unpleasant and, on the whole, seriously damaged these cities economically, socially and culturally, and led them toward an unsustainable development. However, it is also important to note that globalization is an epidemic and unavoidable process, and it is never possible to find solutions to the problems created in the structure of the cities of Islamic countries in isolation and avoidance of this process, but rather in considering the globalization of cities together with the native identity and qualities of societies as a possible and desirable solution and the necessary way to the realization of sustainable urban development. This is the challenge that continues to confront the urban policymakers until reaching executive solutions.