Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
CSMP: ALEPPO + MOLLENBEEK - Coggle Diagram
CSMP: ALEPPO + MOLLENBEEK
Aleppo in Syria
factors that affect the place
demographic
in 1901 the population was 108,143 of which 76,329 people were muslim, (70.58%) 24,508 were catholics (22.66%) and 7,306 people were Jewish (6.76%)
in 1922 the population rose to 156,748 with 97,600 Muslim and 20,007 were Armenian refugees after the Armenian and Assyrian genocides of 1915 and this number ^ to 60,200 of the 325,000 population of Aleppo in 1944
aleppo is the most populous city in Syria with a population of 2,132,100 in 2004 in the offfical census and by the end of 2005 it ^ to 2,301,570
the figure for the eastern half of the city is thought to have plummeted to 40,000 (opposition control)
net migtration in 2016 was -2.1 migrants/1000 population
as of december 2016, the ongoing civil war in Syria has created 4.8 million refugees
since 2011, 6.3 million people have also become internally displaced
There are approximately 6000 people who have travelled from Europe to join ISIS in Iraq and Syria, with a reported 760 jihadists travelling from the UK
only 4% of the population were over the age of 65
aleppo remains a youthful city with 37% of the population structure in 2009 were under the age of 15, whilst 59% were aged between 15-64
socio-economic
aleppo is consdiered the primary industrial zone in Syria
the cities economy is driven by tixtiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing industries, electrical, alcoholic beverages, engineering and tourism.
the countries dominant manufacturing centre - more than 50% of Syrias total manufacturing is found in Aleppo and a greater export share
Aleppo makes 40% of the naufactured gold in Syria
Sheikh Najjar (north eastern suburbs of aleppo) district is one of the largest in Sria + the region - 10,900 acres + $3.4 billion of the total investments in 2010 in the city
Aleppo soup - the longest covered market in the world over 17km long with trade being high from being along the Silk Road
aleppo was the economic capital of syria and the centre of agriculture, industry and trade
however the poverty level was more than twice the national ruralaverage and nearly three times the urban level
a typical monthly household income was around $350-700 for a skilled worker
the unemployment rate in 2010 was 4.9% (8.6% in syria) and 7.6% in 2011 (14.9% in Syria)
in 2006, 95.6% of children of basic school age were rolled in primary or high school in Aleppo
but in 2011 the dropout rate exceeded 9.5%
the rate of illiteracy from 15 years and over exceeded to 20.2%
maternal mortality ratio in Aleppo in 2008 was estimated at 56 deaths for each 1,000 births
the percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel in 2009 was 95.5%
cultural
more than 80% of Aleppo's inhabitants are Sunni Muslims (they are mainly Arabs followed by Turkmens and Kurds)
christians population of 250,000 accounts for 12% of Aleppo's population
places of worship inlcude - the Great Mosque of Aleppo, Church of St. Simeon and the Central Synagogue of Aleppo
famous for a love of eating
political
when the Arab uprising (March 2011) escalated into a full-blown civil war, Aleppo became a key battleground (July 2012). eastern half = opposite forces vs. western half = government controlled
the fall of Aleppo in december 2016 means that government now controls Syria's 4 biggest cities. US officals said in early december 2016 that there were 50,000 'moderate' rebels in western rural Aleppo
the intervention of regional and world powers, including Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Their military, financial and political support for the government and opposition has contributed directly to the intensification and continuation of the fighting, and turned Syria into a proxy battleground.
The rebels suffered a major blow in July when government forces took control of the Castello Road, a major artery that runs into eastern Aleppo, trapping 275,000 people living there - politically unstable
built environment
the most significant historical building is the Citadel - dates back to the first millennium BC - extensively damaged by earthquakes
places of worship inlcude - the Great Mosque of Aleppo, Church of St. Simeon and the Central Synagogue of Aleppo
the old city is surrounded by a 5km wall
until the battle in July 2012, Aleppo was known for it's vibrant nightlife.
the shelling and bombing have damaged many buildings including the Shahba Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in Syria
90% of the population in Aleppo used an improved drinking water source
98.4% of the population had access to the sewage works
45% of the population in Aleppo city lived in 22 informal or ‘illegal’ settlements in 2008, which constituted 35% of the city’s built-up area.
natural environment
aleppo is an open green space largely due to climate (338mm of total rainfall) but also now due to the civil war
the aleppo public park is the largest planted parks in Syria covering 42 acres
Al-Snoubari Park is an 11 hectare urban park opened in november 2011 and cost $6.5 million
mollenbeek in Brussels, Belgium
factors that can affect the place
socio-economic
there is a big gap in education in molenbeek compared to other cities andit can be tied to rise in poverty and unemployment rates
20% of people in Molenbeek have a bachelor's degree or higher in comparison to Brussels 36%
high unemployment in Molenbeek contributes to isolation from the wealthier city centre, and the youth unemployment rate is 30% compared to the Brussels region average of 19%
political
the Paris bomb attacks in November 2015 were traced to Molenbeek (three of them including Abdelhamid Abaaoud the alleged mastermind grew up and lived in Molenbeek), in addition to one of the Madrid terror bombers, both assassins that killed an anti-Taliban commander and the perpetrator of the Jewish museum shooting. all of these people lived in Molenbeek (for a time)
most of the agriculture funding for Belgium is mainly from the EU budget
belgium is one of the top recipients of EU funding for research
Belgium pays more into the EU budget than it receives - however many countries can receive other benefits such as peace, political stability, security, freedom to live, work, study and travel anywhere in the union.
€13 million was contributed from the EU to connect Brussels national airport to the rail network = indirectly contributing to the development of the regional/Brussels express network
belgiums finances
total Belgian contribution to the EU budget €3.660 billion - 0.91% of belgiums GNI
total EU spending in Belgium = €7.044 billion - 1.75% of Belgiums GNI
19 different mayors in Brussels alone
belgium has 8 parliaments and 21 members of the european parliament from Belgium
belgium is a federal country (system of governments in several states (unity) but remain independent in internal affairs
natural environment
the climate is warm and temperate, 10.3 degrees is the average and the rainfall averages at 785 mm (690 mm in London)
largest green space in Molenbeek is the Scheutbos Park
the whole city of Brussels is 18.8% green public spaces however in Molenbeek it is just 8% (123 acres)
22 mosques built
cultural
molenbeek street market has huge amount of different cultures being shared
molenbeek has a large immigrant population
brussels is officially a bilingal city
36% of the entire population of brussels are non-european
in brussel 70% were born outside the country
the world city survey ranked Brussels as the 5th most influential city in the world in 2010
built environment
molenbeek was once a centre of intense industrial activity concentrated around the canal and the railway - most of those industries disappeared to make way for large-scale urban renewal
many facotrs built in the during the undustrial revolution which attracted a large amount of the working class
the growth of the city of Molenbeek has lead to cramped living conditions
demographic
from the 92,661 people in Molenbeek at the time, 7% were aged 20-24
increased in population by 24.5% in the past decade
January 2015 population was 95,576 with the area being 5.9km2 making the density twice the average of Brussels (16,000/km2)
gained independence in 1830
the past and present connections that embed Molenbeek at regional, national and international and global scale
past connections
due to the industrial revolution, the building of the Brussels-Charleroi Canal brought commerce (buying and selling on a large scale) + manufacturing to Molenbeek. during the 18th century many factories were built such as the Molenbeek metal works in 1880, along with high-density housing to cater for the influx of workers (switch from primary > > secondary jobs)
how has Molenbeek's past shaped its present identity?
the eastern part of Molenbeek, near the canal remains very industrial even if some of the original buildings are now in ruins e.g. the metal works, whilst housing around the factories has become a favourite destination for migrants. other buildings have been redeveloped e.g. the old Belle Vue brewery >>> modern hotel (gentrification)
Belgium ruled the congo until it gained independence in 1960. Even after this, many Congolese from Sub-Saharan Africa migrated from the newly formed DR Congo to Belgium. More recently, Molenbeek has experienced an ^ in people from North Africa (7,233 people in Molenbeek)
how has Molenbeek's past shaped it present identity?
the influence of different cultures can be seen in the bustling Sunday Morning street market, which caters for Muslim people amongst others. Some 40% of the 95,576 people in Molenbeek identify as Muslim shown by how there are now 22 mosques in Molenbeek (built environment changed from its past and culture). this has shaped Molenbeek by presenting the area as having a cosmopolitan and diverse place identity.
present connections
there is a recent resurgence in large industrial and commercial land use e.g. the Brasserie Vandenheuvel brewery and Delhaize supermarket in Molenbeek. these new industries have been attracted by the wealth of space, great transport links (the N9 main road + canal) and availability of a large, cheap migrant workforce
how have these connections embedded Molenbeek?
the opening of the brewery and supermarket have helped re-establish Molenbeek as a centre of business after the de-industrialisation post-WW2. these industries specialising in local breweries have helped embed Molenbeek at both a regional and national scale, as beers made in the area are sold across Brussels and countrywide
in September 2001, members of an international terror cell based in Molenbeek assassinated an anti-Taliban commander. in March 2016 there were terror attacks in Brussels airport and metro station. the chief suspects were arrested in a police raid at a house in Molenbeek. recent links with terrorism and radicalisation have negatively shaped the place identity of Molenbeek.
these connections to recent acts of terrorism have unfortunately helped embed Molenbeek on a global scale as a breeding ground for radicalisation. the worry is that Molenbeek will be viewed by potential jihadists as a safe-haven for terrorists and a recruitment centre for radicalisation. former French president Francios Hollande called out Molenbeek after the 2016 terror attacks.
how have shifting flows helped Molenbeek shape it's place profile
shifting flows of ...
people - especially young Muslims from North Africa have diversified the demographic profile of Molenbeek. this is evident in the Sunday morning street market that caters for Muslims in terms of different food, literature and clothing in addition to the 22 mosques added.
resources - has helped shape the socio-economic profile of Molenbeek. for example, barley and wheat from the surrounding villages of rural Belgium is brought into Molenbeek to be brewed into beer, this helping the place retain its idustrial identity
money (+ investment) - helped shape the socio-economic profile of Molenbeek e.g. the EU have invested €2.75 million in revitalising the whole area in terms of town planning, tourism and the local economy by part-funding the redevelopment of the old Belle Vue brewery into a new hotel complex
ideas - shaping the cultural profile of Molenbeek. for example, the ideologies of an Islamic state and the promise of martyrdom (the state of suffering, or giving one's life for a cause) has made young Belgian Muslims a target for jihadists seeking new recruits. in addition, unemployment amongst youngsters in Molenbeek is 40%, compared to 19% in Brussels
how have shifting flows helped Aleppo shape it's place profile
shifting flows of ...
people - have helped shape the demographic profile of Aleppo. For example, Shite Muslims from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon have crossed the border into Aleppo to support the Assad regime (himself an Alawite Muslim) which has added tension between Shite and Sunni Muslims
resources - have helped shape the socio-economic profile of Aleppo. For example, Aleppo's location at one end of the Silk Road meant that fabric and yarn were traded from East (India and China) to the west (Europe), adding to it's place profile as a vibrant nexus of commerce.
money and investment - have shaped the socio-economic profile of Aleppo. For example, the recent conflict has restricted nvestment in Aleppo. Prior to the conflict breaking out in 2011, huge investment had been made in Aleppos infrastructure e.g. Al-Snoubari Park cost $6.5 million
ideas- has helped shape the cultural profile of Aleppo. for example, Aleppo was once considered a place of ideas, multiculturalism and history. the prevailing ideaology of the Syrian government is tantamount (virtually the same as) to ethnic cleansing, which has deterred most foreign TNC's from investing in the city.
how have past and present connections haped Aleppo and embedded it in regional, national and global scales
past connections
in 1516, Aleppo became part of the Ottoman Empire - the captial of the province - and a nexus of trade between the Orient (Central Asia) and Europe. The city's population surged as trading caravans passed through Aleppo from East to West
how have these past connections embedded and shaped Aleppo?
To this day, Aleppo is considered the primary industrial zone in Syria, with a 50% share of the country's manufacturing employment. the history of trading is symbolised in the N/E industrial quarter of Aleppo, which contains most of the factories and plants in the city (covers over 10,900 acres with $3.4 billion invested in the area)
Aleppo is located at one end of the Silk Road (from 200BC), a major route where traded goods were passed from Central Asia (India & China) to Europe via Aleppo. Aleppo became the hub of the Silk Road, which drew in European merchants who wanted a piece pf trading action in Aleppo.
how have these past connections embedded and shaped Aleppo?
by the 16th and 17th centuries, Aleppo hosted a large number of European merchants, with Venetian, British, Dutch and French consulates and trading offices being established in the city. the al-Joumrok khan (or customs Caravanserai) dates from the 17th century and was a caravanserai (roadside in along the Silk Road) aimed specifically at French, English and Dutch merchants
present connections
Shite Muslims from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran have flooded into Syria to defend sacred sites and President Assad's regime. Meanwhile, Sunni Muslims (75% of 22m people), some with affliated with al Qaeda, have rushed in to join rebel forces. this has negatively affected Aleppo's place profile, which is now considered unsafe and unstable
how have these present connections embedded Aleppo?
Unfortunately, these connections to civil war and violence have embedded Aleppo at a national and global scale as a place of conflict. the evacuation of 35,000 people from Eatern Aleppo in december 2016 was regarded as a "catastrophic situation" by the UN. Aleppo is no longer a multicultural vibrant community >>> ethnic cleansing?
Russia has been a long-standing ally of Syria (they supply 78% of Syria's military imports). Both Russia and American bombings have reduced much of Aleppo to rubble e.g. 30,000 homes have been destroyed. this involvement of interntional superpowers has negatively affected Aleppo's place profile, having escalated. tension/fear and damaged to historical building and cultural sites
how have these present connections embedded Aleppo?
Unfortunately, the involvement by proxy of the USA and direct support offered by the Russians has embedded Aleppo on a global scale. Aleppo was once considered by the eyes of the world as a historic hub for religion, culture and trade. However, element of old Aleppo remain in tact, the connection to civil war has made the city synonymous with conflict and instability on a global scale