Architecture in the United Arab Emirates

Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

 

Contemporary Architecture in the UAE

After the discovery of oil and the economic prosperity enjoyed by the country, there was an urgent need to build new buildings to meet the new demands of the people. Planning departments were established to work on planning cities and villages of the country. Municipalities and Departments of public works were focusing on building public buildings and housing developments. An era of rapid change of the built environment has started.
Social and cultural changes that are taking place in the United Arab Emirates are affecting all aspects of life. People are depending on cars and other means of transportation which causes the cities to expand rapidly. This uncontrolled expansion is transforming major cities into metropolitan areas and changing the traditional life style into a modern one.
 
The World Trade Center of Dubai

Public housing

After 1971 and the formation of the UAE, the government took the responsibility of providing houses for the citizens. The government constructed several public housing projects in different parts of the country. Houses were built and handed to citizens after completion of construction. The design of these houses was not suitable for the cultural values and needs of the inhabitants, especially Bedouins who were forced to settle in these projects. Some men married more than one woman, which doubled and tripled the number of inhabitants in the same dwelling. The owners had to make additions to the houses to satisfy their changing needs. The additions were informal according to the needs of each family.
 
Example of public housing project

The architectural style

The Seventies and Eighties

The Seventies and Eighties witnessed the use of imported architectural styles, construction systems and building materials. Architects from other Arab countries were invited to design buildings. They applied their education, knowledge and training in other parts of the world on the design of these buildings. Following that period, architects from western countries played a larger role in design and construction of new buildings. The use of reinforced concrete, new building materials and technology dominated practice of architecture.

The Nineties

A new trend emerged in the Nineties. Its goal was to revitalize the architectural heritage of the past and use its features to stress identity and architectural styles of the area. Many of the buildings built during the seventies were replaced by new buildings using architectural features assumed to be more related to the region. The use of reinforced concrete, modern materials and air-conditioning are not sacrificed. Some of these attempts were successful while others were overdone.
 
 
Modern Buildings With Traditional Features
 
Modern Buildings Using Modern Materials

Architecture and socio-cultural aspects

Current changes in architecture are not only affecting the appearance of buildings but also the social and cultural life of the inhabitants. The traditional neighborhood, composed of relatives and clans, is now based on social class and income groups. Relationship between social groups is threatened by fast paste of life. Some aspects of family relationships still influence the design of the house. The separation of women from men especially in the seating areas is dividing the house intwo parts. Male and female guests are received in separate areas. The houses are representing a social status or image. The design and cost of the house signify belonging to a social group. Social and economic mobility is usually associate with the design of the house. The fence, marking territoriality and providing privacy, is an important part of the modern house. Fences are carefully decorated conveying an image of social class.
Modern public buildings are conveying images of institutions and establishments. Use of glass and modern building materials dominates the character of public buildings. Famous international architects are invited to design buildings for government institutions and organizations.
Dubai Municipality

Public gardens are developed in many parts of the country and street landscape is well maintained, costing large amount of money for irrigation and maintenance.

The streets are wide and the round-about system is used in streets’ intersection, called El Dawar. Private cars are the main transportation mean and are becoming an essential part of the culture. Four-wheel drive cars are symbols, allowing citizens to visit the desert and enjoy hunting with hawks.

Images of architecture

Architecture reflects a social image preferred by the society. The old style of architecture is associated with poverty while the new style is associated with prosperity.
Population distribution is a major concern for the government. The estimated percentage of citizens to foreigners is 1 to 4. Most of the residents are on temporary resident visa and they don not have the right to own property. Foreigners usually live in apartments close to the downtown while citizens reside in villas built over large properties of land near the skirts of the cities.
New building types, such as: hotels, offices, shopping centers, etc., started operation by the end of the seventies. They caused dramatic change to the built environment and the urban-scape. New housing types in the form of high rise buildings containing apartments were built to accommodate the growing number of foreigners working in the country. Many architectural styles are being used under different names such as: Modern, Islamic, Indian, Arabian. Modern building technology and materials: concrete, glass, steel.
 
Modern villas
 
Modern villas
Abu Dhabi Towers

Impact of Social and Cultural Changes on Architecture

Impact of global changes

The impact of global change is evident in the changes of the quality of human life, expectations, and use of machines. People are becoming dependent on machines in many aspects of their life. The vertical and horizontal expansion of cities is another demonstration of the impact of global economic change and the dependency on cars. There is more and easier interaction between populations, a phenomenon called the global village. There is more exchange of building materials, technology, and expertise.
 
 
  
 
Buildings on Dubai Creek

Impact on Architectural Heritage

Architecture heritage was abandoned and know-how of its construction lost. Many historical buildings suffered degradation and decay due to neglect and misuse by informal development and occupation by foreign poor workers
There are attempts to revitalize and reuse historical districts and buildings as museums or monuments in public gardens. Heritage has transformed from function to symbol of historical pride.
 
 
Map of Al Bastakia Area
General View of Al Bastakia area
 
 
Abandoned historical buildings in Al Bastakia area (1995 situation)
 
Dubai Museum Entrance
Plan of Museum showing Fahidi fort and new underground extension
 
 
Eastern Hisn in Al Ain
 
Murabaa fort in Al Ain

Impact on new Architecture

Social and cultural changes have more impact on new architecture than on traditional architecture. Borrowed mixture of styles is used in the design of new buildings. Modern, Indian, Islamic, Arabian, and other styles are used according to the desires and preferences of owners and clients.
Air-condition units are sticking out of buildings causing visual pollution of the built environment. The use of modern building materials is a common practice. Building regulations and codes are following modern planning and design.
 
 
New Buildings in Al Ain city
New Shopping Centers in Dubai city

Revitalization of architectural heritage

The public concern

There is a growing public interest in vernacular architecture and the quality of the built environment as a whole. It is not only a nostalgia to the past but also a concern for the future. Many critics are concerned of the cultural continuity and the loss of cultural identity. Conferences and seminars are held to discuss issues related to the preservation of architectural heritage.

Viewpoints of traditional architecture

There are four major viewpoints held by architects toward traditional architecture and its relevance to contemporary architecture:

Use of traditional elements in new buildings

There are several attempts to use elements from traditional architecture in the design of new buildings in the UAE. This approach influences the design of openings and facade more than the interior design of buildings. There is no real effort to implement environmental solutions in the design of new buildings. Air-conditioning is an essential part of all new building design.