Physical Evolution of Different Types of Shopping Environments in Arab and Middle East Countries

Shopping is currently one of the most pervasive leisure activities, with significant economic, psychological, and social benefits. Shopping places can trace their roots back millennia, since human beings settled down and started their civic life. Shopping places emerged when humanity began to establish fixed settlements and passed through different periods, which transformed from traditional markets to huge shopping malls today. Shopping places were not only places where people went and made their purchases but also places where people met friends to enjoy their time and discuss their social life. In many pre-industrial Muslim towns and cities, the souks (Arabic for market) were found next to the palaces and mosques and were the most crowded places. Most Arabic Islamic cities retain their old souks. Souks are permanent marketplaces or streets of shops devoted to the sale of products and services. This research aims to trace the historical development of shopping environments in the Arab, Gulf, and Middle East countries including the traditional souks and the recent shopping malls.