Mohammed Bukrash, assistant director general of Dubai Municipality, explains how architecture is being used to preserve the Emirate's traditional cultural values and heritage.
The term 'architectural conservation' supports many definitions which often seek to explain how a combination of art, architecture and materials' science are used to extend the lifecycle of the built environment. In an interview with FM Magazine, Mohammed Bukrash, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality, Chairman of the Architectural Society of the United Arab Emirates and a qualified architect himself, explains how the GCC region is trying to preserve cultural values and heritage through architecture.
The general projects department is one of the most important within Dubai Municipality (DM). Its role is to develop effective strategies for transforming Dubai into one of the region's biggest international centres for business and tourism.
What does your role as Dubai Municipality Assistant Director General of Projects entail?
I am responsible for three Sections - project design, construction and historic building management.
Within the design and construction Sections we are responsible for government buildings (these include municipal buildings, universities/colleges of higher technology, and civil defence and ambulance centres and clinics). In 2007 we have 270 projects and a total budget of 3.5 billion dirhams. All of these projects are to be built under the umbrella of Dubai Municipality.
On the landscaping side, we are responsible for all parks in Dubai including Zabeel Park, Mamzar Park and Creek Park. Park design is all done under our banner, with the Road Transport Authority (RTA) having responsibility over community areas including playgrounds and street landscaping.
What is the Architectural Heritage Society and what is your role in it?
This is a non-profit organisation which is part of the federal government of the UAE. I serve as the Chairman.
How does the Society influence the government?
The society works as a medium between different government bodies. We act more like an advisory board.
What does architecture mean to the Emirate of Dubai and why is it so interested in heritage conservation?
Any discussion of Dubai must take account of the start of oil production in the 1970s which shifted emphasis to the development of a vision for a new city.
We had emerged from what might be described as as an initial development phase based on mud [ i.e., sun-dried] brick and coral houses. This was followed by a period of boom funded by income generated from oil production which lasted until 1985. It is during this period that construction of proper roads and modern buildings began.
A survey undertaken in 1950 recorded 2,500 houses in Dubai, of which only 330 (or little over 10 percent) remain standing, today.
At that time the city consisted of the Al Ras, Bur Dubai, Deira and Shindagha areas. With new construction activity naturally focussing on those areas, more than 2,000 traditional houses were demolished to make way for what might be regarded today as modern Dubai.
When the principle of conservation was established in the region, the first building to be restored was the museum - that was in 1971. But the vision of Sheikh Rashid at that time was for Dubai to be the business and commercial power of the world. In 1981, the first house to be restored was Sheikh Sayed's house in Shindagha but they demolished the old house, rebuilding it with concrete and steel. Construction started in 1983 and finished in 1986. DM decided to take responsibility for old buildings and made the decision in 1987 to restore Al-Faheidi Fort, Al-Ahmadiya School and the Hatta Heritage Village. We realised that buildings demolished during the oil boom years were an unrecoverable part of our city, history and culture.
Our current target for completing restoration work is 2015, after which we will focus on villas and buildings from the 1970s which combine elements of modern and traditional architectural design.
Why have the UAE and other GCC countries taken an interest in preserving traditional architecture?
Nowadays, I think traditional architecture is a concern at the highest level - with sheiks in all of the Arab Gulf countries recognising that buildings preserve identity and history. If they demolish a building, part of that historical tradition is gone. Preserving this is also important so that future generations can see how their forefathers were living and learning.
Indeed, today, we even might consider traditional houses as representing green architecture. They are suitable for the climate and environment and provide privacy in the Winter when courtyards are used.
It is important that new architects - whether they are students or professionals, learn from traditional architecture rather than the building blocks of glass towers. Consideration should also be given to the weather conditions we have here for 5 or 6 months every yearr. We can use natural ventilation and lighting and it does work - I always cite the examples of Madinat Jumeirah, Alo-Maha Restor and Bab-Al-Shams.
I think if this type of architecture were widespread, energy might not be considered a problem today. But for that to happen in the future, we must give consideration to it now. The architect needs to think about these things since Dubai is becoming a reference for the region.
If you go to the United States, Germany or Australia, you find a lot of attention being given to the natural use of lighting and ventilation in buildings. We started a little later but as they say, better late than never!
How important is the development of quality standards in the areas of architectural conservation and traditional building materials?
Traditional handicraft is not difficult to learn. We encourage Emiratis to take them up but is is difficult during the Summer since everyone wants to work in air-conditioned environments.
We organise training courses for universities on the use of gypsum and wood carving skills; either through Dubai Municipality or through the Architectural Heritage Society.
We follow relevant international standards by using traditional materials which include old coral stone, shell stone, gypsum and mud brick for walls and traditional matting for roofs - although we also recognise the need for modern facilities such as toilets, lighting and air-conditioning since many of these buildings are used as galleries, museums or restaurants and visitors expect their modern comforts.
I believe traditional materials perform better. Sheikh Sayed's house was rebuilt using reinforced concrete 25 years ago but is now corroding. Yet with coral stone, gypsum and sandalwood you get no corrosion even when houses have been erect for 90 years.
Do you find there is more interest in old architecure amongst locals or the expatriate communities?
Emiratis now build their houses in the same architectural style as in the past, even if they do not use traditional materials which are more time consuming and costly to maintain. They incorporate courtyards and traditional features including motifs such as wind-towers and domes into building plans. Indeed, we sense there is a return to traditional architecture à la mode de the Diving, Heritage and Cultural villages.
One of the priorities of the government of Dubai's strategic plan is to take care of our national identity and all of this is expressed through handicraft, architecture and culture.
The other policy is to use the principles which inform traditional architecture. We do not want to replicate villas from the 1950s since we had a different lifestyle then and had neither elecricity nor cars. We have to develop styles that take account of our identity, rather than create buildings that bear no relationship to this place from glass.
Are their any standards published by DM on traditional architecture?
We have produced a book called 'Elements of Traditional Architecture in Dubai' to act as a reference guide. It includes examples of doors, windows, arches an features from the 1950s and 1960s - Madinat Jumeira followed concepts outlined in this book and has now become a reference development in Bahrain and Qatar.
Additionally, planning consent will not be granted for glass buildings in the 'old Dubai' areas of Shindagha, Bastakiya and Al-Ras where the 250 houses we look after are referred to as the 'historic' part of the city. After all, these areas represent 1 percent of the City.
Future facilities in this area will need to have traditional elevation and colour.
What about the other parts of Dubai?
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city - architects can design as they please outside the historical part!
What is your budget and what restrictions do you operate under?
Our budget used to be 10 million dirhams annually. Today, we receive up to 20 million dirhams although, in principle, it is open-ended.
We employ 400 people ranging from stonemasons to engineers. They are doing work according to the plans. Over the next two years we intend to focus on the Shindagha area.
To date tourism marketing has focused on spectacle. Do you foresee heritage becoming a primary justification for visiting Dubai?
Right now, few people are visiting for the heritage. We estimate the figure to be as low as 10 percent since most people come to Dubai for its shopping centres, in order to attend conferences, or on business.
Nevertheless, we are trying to change this. Sheikh Mohammed himself supports traditional architecture, and we have established an initiative within the Historic Building section at DM called the Heritage Awareness Unit. This is responsible for publishing books and giving lectures to increase awareness.
Perhaps in a decade's time, heritage will be the reason to visit Dubai. It is part of the long-term strategy of DM to promote the Shindagh and Bastikya areas where we have museums, art galleries and traditional restaurants. Currently, we have around 800 tourists visiting the wind towers daily and expect this number to rise later this year with the completion of new hotels and restaurants.
We have ambitious plans for Shindagha where we expect a massive shopping area sitting alongside traditional souqs to be completed within 4 years. In Deira, fifteen museums are being built. These include the Camel Museum, Falcon Museum and Manuscripts Museum, etc.
Nevertheless, even when complete these developments will represent only 5 percent of visitor attractions in Dubai, since 95 percent of visitors come to see the iconic projects in the Emirate.
