The artworks brings cities together which not only share history and numerous cultural traditions but also many contemporary challenges. The pictures in this photo book are made by photographer Bas Princen. He took part in one of the research teams of the 4th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR). He captured the meaning of the open city, the main theme of the IABR, in pictures.

City portraits
This book brings together intimate portraits of five great cities: Istanbul, Beirut, Amman, Cairo and Dubai. Through its pages we discover quietly beautiful, yet meticulously constructed images; unexpected views of cities which take us beyond the clichés. These images constitute architectural research and visual poetry at the same time.

The publication is the result of a unique collaboration between leading academics and urban researchers based in the five cities and the Dutch artist Bas Princen. It has been specially commissioned by architectural curators Philipp Misselwitz and Can Altay for the IABR 2009.

With an introduction by Philipp Misselwitz and Can Altay.