development retrospective insight
5 Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi 6 Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai 7 Abu Dhabi city 8 Dubai World Trade Centre
I like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque for its exquisite decoration and stunning scale
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Some of the buildings here are like consumer items – disposable and without any permanent value, similar to cars and white goods. I have never seen this anywhere else. Buildings are sometimes seen as individual objects, without regard for their neighbours or the peopled spaces in between. Roads for motorcars have been encouraged to dominate the character of our towns, at the
expense of a sense of community, and until very recently, any means of mass transportation. A common mistake was the devaluing of good design – cutting time and fees for design to
such lows that any design quality was often largely eliminated. This results in truly mediocre urban environments, for example the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai Marina, or the apartment blocks on The Palm Jumeirah – the stuff of Gotham City.
Is there now more awareness about heritage buildings and the importance of preserving them?
Yes, to the extent that they are extensively, if usually poorly, imitated. The efforts of architects Dariush Zandi and Rashad Bukhash, and restoration work throughout the seven emirates, have contributed enormously to raising awareness, both public and government, of the enormous variety and extent of the architectural heritage of the UAE and its irreplaceable value.
Have architectural and construction standards improved recently?
Despite my earlier comments, it’s pleasing to see the recent resurgence in quality design, which is long overdue. I believe that an increasing concern with sustainable design will contribute significantly. Construction technology is developing apace, and construction standards need to be under constant review to accommodate change and improvement. Hopefully the recent recession has made us all step back and revisit how we do things, so that we might all do it better in the future.
What do you think the UAE will be like in five years’ time?
I think it will be more human environment – with places for people taking priority over roads – and a better place to live, especially for the less affluent members of the community who are building the brave new face of Arabia.
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How has Abu Dhabi changed?
When I first visited Abu Dhabi briefly in January 1972 it was no more than a building site of road construction and concrete frames, and at that time it was quite compact. There was little to see of the old town, in contrast to Dubai with its thriving creek. Abu Dhabi grew more gently and has the feel of a garden city, until its relatively recent spurt of development. Sadly it has not retained any old buildings except at Maqta Bridge and Al Hosn. Today it feels better planned than Dubai, with a stronger and more co-ordinated vision. It also has the advantage of being able to learn from the problems that Dubai has experienced.
What do you think have been the most significant milestones in the development of the Emirates since the 1970s?
I think the most significant milestone is the massive development of hospitals and healthcare, alongside schools and universities, especially the establishment of UAE University in Al Ain and University City in Sharjah. These developments have proven to be major long-term social investments. Strategically, the development of sea ports and airport ports, together with a massive inland transportation infrastructure, has enabled the commercial development of the UAE.
What are the biggest mistakes that have been made?
Firstly, the demolition of historic buildings in our urban centres. It’s easy to criticise but understandable when one considers how hard life used to be here, before the modern amenities of running water, electricity and access to education and healthcare.
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/apr-may 2010
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