Ahmed Kanna

About the Author

Ahmed Kanna is a distinguished scholar and author whose work delves into the intricate intersections of urbanism, globalization, and cultural transformation in the modern Middle East. With a background in anthropology and urban studies, Kanna offers incisive analyses of how cities evolve under the pressures of capitalism and state power. His seminal book, Dubai, the City as Corporation, masterfully unpacks the emirate's meteoric rise as a symbol of neoliberal ambition, blending ethnographic insight with critical theory to reveal the human costs behind its gleaming facade. Drawing from extensive fieldwork and interdisciplinary research, Kanna's writing challenges conventional narratives of progress, highlighting the tensions between tradition and innovation in rapidly changing societies. His contributions continue to influence debates on urban futures in the Global South, making him a vital voice in contemporary social sciences.