Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj's chapter in "États et Sociétés de l’orient arabe" focuses on the valuation of urban heritage, particularly examining the cities of Aleppo in Syria and Shibam in Yemen. Hallaj begins by addressing the ethical implications of public spending on heritage conservation, noting a gap in literature that often overlooks how public funds are used in this context. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how both public and private stakeholders value urban spaces, and how this valuation influences the investment of resources.

The chapter discusses the dichotomy between economic and cultural values in heritage conservation. Mr. Hallaj points out that in Western countries, funding for heritage conservation is often justified based on economic viability and community will. He highlights the complexities of valuing urban heritage, which include environmental and cultural dimensions, and points out that these are often not adequately considered in traditional economic models.

Focusing on Aleppo, Mr. Hallaj describes its long history of spatial valuation and devaluation. He notes that the city has been subjected to various cycles of urban development and preservation. This is further elaborated through the discussion of an urban renewal program in the 1940s, which posed a threat to Aleppo's architectural heritage and led to a shift in land use patterns. This shift, Hallaj argues, resulted in a rise in expected returns on investments at the expense of heritage assets.

Mr. Hallaj then examines the role of the World Heritage Committee and the challenges faced by developing countries in defining candidate sites for World Heritage listing. He criticizes the hasty listing process, which often lacks adequate consultation with stakeholders and preparation of conservation/management plans.

The rehabilitation project of the Old City of Aleppo is also discussed. This project, primarily a German-Syrian cooperation effort, aimed to preserve the old city as a living space rather than just a national symbol. Mr. Hallaj notes the project's focus on creating sustainable public and private investments for long-term preservation. However, he also observes that the project initially did not adequately address the generation of financing for these efforts.

In contrast to Aleppo, Shibam is described as a smaller, rural-based site with its valuation/devaluation cycles occurring mostly at the individual building level rather than entire neighborhoods. State policies under the socialist system significantly impacted Shibam, leading to the devaluation of properties through expropriations and persecution of large property owners.

Finally, Mr. Hallaj reflects on the modernization and transformation of Shibam and its surrounding traditional setting. He discusses the challenges faced by local communities in adapting to new realities, such as the introduction of modern infrastructure and the evolution of social and cultural values. The chapter highlights the state's role in advancing modern amenities while maintaining local cultural values, amidst a backdrop of shifting social dynamics and decentralization processes.

In summary, Mr. Hallaj's chapter provides a nuanced analysis of the valuation of urban heritage in Aleppo and Shibam, exploring the intersection of cultural, economic, and social factors that shape conservation efforts and urban development.