Cities of GCC in Post-Hydrocarbon Era: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are highly urbanized. The states of GCC countries are considered rentier states and suffer from the Dutch disease. Acknowledging this fact, many GCC States endeavored to diversify their economic base by attempting to transfer their economies from hydrocarbon-based to knowledge-based economy. Many reports and studies claim these attempts still in need to be integrated within their urban settings, not just a development at the hinterlands of existing cities. The chapter outlines key challenges and opportunities for cities of GCC to transfer their urban development into a knowledge base. The chapter calls for an enabling environment for knowledge transfer, a transition towards a green economy, and institutional development by building and fostering global partnerships for knowledge, innovation, and energy.