Conservation of Urban Heritage in Dubai City: Revitalization and Adaptive-Reuse in Order to Meet Present Demands and Future Challenges

Author/Editor

Mohammad Sabri Mahmoud Abu Farha

Date

2004

Language

Arabic

Keywords

urban heritage, conservation, revitalization, adaptive-reuse, Dubai

Institution

University of Jordan

Advisor

Prof. Majdy Tewfik

Abstract

The changes in human life, time, and place accordingly, are the two poles of the environmental equation. This is the starting point of the study of the current problem facing development of our cities in the Arab and the Islamic world in general, and specifically in dealing with its urban heritage over the time. There are many changes in culture and environment which have prevented us from dealing effectively with the urban heritage in our cities.
In accordance with the feasibility studies, practical and theoretical points of view, and the relationship between these three parts within the inner city have been dealt with in the first part. The political methodology which deals with the urban heritage development and conservation accordingly, have resulted in the slowdown of improving the inner city.
The current research recommends to follow what we call the Comprehensive Revitalization Policy in solving this sensitive issue, which is based on the continuous change of the urban environment looks.
This similar to the human heart which divided into two compartments, one part cannot function without the other:
The first is: The Physical Revitalization.
The second is: Adaptation/ Reactivation.
Studies and analysis of the architectural and urban heritage development in the city of Dubai, have proven itself in the city with its dynamic, and the interaction of various ethnic and social set ups Dubai over time. This has formed a model in the Middle East for development and coexistence.
Bearing in mind the cultural differences in this region specially in Dubai over the years, made it easier for the advancement in the social, economic, financial, and political development of Dubai. Dubai today and what it will be tomorrow from the urban development and architectural advancement point of view will certainly be remarkable.
As a result, we can see the citizens of Dubai are socially and financially comfortable in their daily life and that in part is due to the architectural and urban development. The political environment of the comprehensive revitalization has made it easy to reactivating and rebuilding the inner city of Dubai, and the Emirate itself.
Not only the physical changes of the place, but also the infrastructure of man ( social, cultural, economic, etc.) and time, have made of Dubai one of the distinguished examples in the world. In terms of leading policy of renovation and historic preservation.