Pushing the Limits of Mediterranean Configurations

Abstract

The outbreak of conflicts in parts of the Middle East and North Africa since 2011 has turned cities into contentious spaces and primary sites hosting large numbers of refugees and undocumented migrants. Yet, the lack of economic perspectives and human rights' violations are push factors for emigration in a number of countries beyond the Mediterranean facing a gap in comprehensively addressing migratory challenges from a broad-based perspective. How can urbanization be addressed concerning the discourse about conflict-induced displacement without first identifying the noncitizen? Considering forced displacement induced by war/environmental disaster, this chapter situates its discussion of global displacement, war, and non-citizenship by exploring the interplay between place, power, and politics. It argues for deconstructing non-citizenship and reinstating displacement in the city by analysing the decision-making processes and experiences of non-citizens in the cities of Jeddah, Doha, and Beirut, while expanding the issue of statelessness to post-earthquake Haïti.