Neoliberal Urbanization and Smart Cities in the Gulf Region: The Case of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City

This chapter provides a critical examination of the phases, spatialities, and temporalities of neoliberalism by studying the port cities in the Persian Gulf. It begins by situating the concept of smart cities within a theoretical discussion that delineates the relationship between neoliberalization and urban spaces and identifies major fault lines. The focus is on Gulf cities in general which have been taking broad initiatives to decrease their oil/gas dependency by building a more diversified knowledge-based economy. It then discusses the criteria necessary for a city in the Gulf to be considered “smart”, and uses Masdar City in Abu Dhabi as a case study example of a smart city in the making.