Library Circles: Rend Beiruti

Library Circles: Rend Beiruti Library Circles, a series of research, talks, and experimental interventions by UAE practitioners at the Jameel Library and Jameel Arts Centre, delves into alternative research methodologies with a focus on “thinking in public”. For this iteration, Jameel Library presents a research display by Rend Beiruti. Beiruti investigates the baqala as a vital urban entity in Dubai, exploring its history, its influence on urban development, and its role as a cultural signal. The project documents how these ubiquitous neighborhood grocery stores have both shaped and been shaped by Dubai’s rapid expansion over the past century. The display maps these shifts, highlighting how the physical character of the baqala adapts across different areas: from historic streets to newer urban developments like JVC and Dubai Production City. Through a rich assemblage of photographs, mapping, and archival documents, the display brings together the findings of this urban investigation. About Rend Beiruti Rend Beiruti is a writer and urbanist. She holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Theatre from NYU Abu Dhabi and an MSc in Urban Development Planning from The Bartlett, University College London. Her research interests include the social, cultural, and urban development histories of the Middle East. SEE ALL EVENTS