Architecture in the United Arab Emirates
Introduction
Economic prosperity and socio-cultural changes in the UAE
During the last two decades, enormous economic and socio-cultural
changes occurred in the Gulf area with extremely rapid paste. These changes
were produced by the discovery of oil in the region and economic wealth
associated with it. This economic prosperity had great impact on architecture
and the built environment.
Architecture before and after oil wealth
Before the discovery of oil, the inhabitants of the Gulf
region were living a simple and traditional lifestyle. The economy was
simple and the inhabitants depended on date crops and sheep herding as
main sources of income. Vernacular architecture found in the region reflected
their social and cultural values. It responded to the harsh natural environment
with innovative solutions suitable for the mostly hot-arid weather conditions.
After the discovery of oil in the Sixties, economic prosperity
allowed rapid change in the social and cultural values of the society.
The UAE, as many other Third World countries, was eager to follow the Western
model of modernization and development. As a consequence, the urban environment
was changed to meet the new ambitions. Modern buildings replaced vernacular
architecture and the traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants was transformed
to a modern one.
Economic aspects influencing architecture
The economic wealth associated with the discovery of oil
in the Sixties and the economic boom during the Seventies encouraged the
use of modern construction systems and materials. The introduction of new
architectural styles in the region was made by foreign as well as local
architects. Air-conditioning units became available in all buildings replacing
the traditional wind catchers. Concrete, steel, glass, and other modern
building materials were introduced by the construction industry. Shiny
glass skyscrapers, reflecting the burning sun, have changed -- forever
-- the urban landscape of Gulf cities.
Architecture and the built-environment reflect political, economic, social,
and cultural aspects of the society.
It is now possible to use energy to modify climatic conditions
and produce built forms that disregard local climate, but there is a price
to pay- indeed often several different prices.
Architecture in the Gulf region reflects many social and
cultural aspects of the society. While vernacular architecture reflects
the simple and traditional way of life, modern architecture reflects the
economic wealth and new socio-cultural values. The economic wealth facilitates
the use of advanced construction materials and building systems. Air-conditioned
and glass covered buildings are considered symbols of modernity and civilization.
Vernacular buildings are considered images of the poor and undesirable
past. While some observers are praising these changes as “a step in the
right direction” to modernity and development, others are concerned about
this rapid change and the social and cultural prices of achieving it.
New awareness
He who does have a past does not have a future.
His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Naheyan
The beginning of the Nineties witnessed a new awareness of
the importance of traditional and cultural values. The break away from
past cultural values during the Seventies had transformed the society very
rapidly. The rapid change disrupted the cultural continuity between old
and new generation. His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Naheyan stressed
the importance of recognizing the present and the future as a continuation
of the past. This awareness reflected realization on all levels of society
that a complete submission to modern cultural values affected many aspects
of society in undesirable ways.
This awareness generated new attitude towards architecture.
Many deserted old buildings were renovated and transformed into museums
and other cultural functions. New buildings were built using features from
traditional architecture. A trend to go back to the roots and enforce the
ties with history was established.
Outline of Study
This study is concerned with the impact of socio-cultural
changes on architecture that are taking place in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE). It stresses the need to identify and understand these changes in
order to orient them in the right direction. Economic prosperity has encouraged
changes of many aspects of society which in turn affected the built environment
and architecture. Gulf cities are in the process of transformation into
international and metropolitan cities. All modern facilities are now available
for the inhabitants. A loss of identity and sense of belonging is endangering
their existence as distinctive entities belonging to their environments.
Also, the houses have been modified to accommodate new needs and desires.
While modern houses do not resemble those of the past they preserve many
cultural values, especially those concerned with privacy and hospitality.
Strategy of study
Architecture and the built environment reflect many social
and cultural aspects of the society. The impact of socio-cultural aspects
on architecture is best observed when a society is undergoing major changes.
As suggested by Farmer, the impact of culture upon what is built can be
seen:
-
by comparative analysis of the ranges of buildings built by societies
-
by considering typological variations of particular kind of buildings from
one culture to another
-
by examining how what is built within a society varies over time: serious
building requires social stability and confidence, while new building types
are generated by dynamic societies
-
by noting what is built within a society by subcultures
-
by comparing the building output of different peoples building in the same
place; and
-
by comparing the use of space between cultures.
The strategy of this study is to examine the development
of what is being built within a society over a period of time and its relationship
to the social and cultural aspects, as evident in the case of The United
Arab Emirates. It focuses on social and cultural aspects influencing architecture
through a comparison between architecture before and after the discovery
of oil in the region as a reflection of other aspects of society.
Aim of study
The aims of this study are:
-
introduction to understanding aspects of architecture in the UAE as a socio-cultural
phenomenon,
-
study the relationship between built-form and soculture changes
-
examining several examples from UAE before and after the discovery of oil
and their relationship to social and cultural aspects; and
-
working toward a design education in the UAE more sensitive to the values
and lifeways of the local cultural groups.
Contents
(This site is still under development)
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suggestion to E-mail: y.mahgoub@uaeu.ac.ae
