Dubai’s Heritage Architecture Preservation Project Enters Second Phase as Hamdan Bin Mohammed Gives Approval

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the second phase of the project dedicated to preserving Dubai’s heritage architecture. This project is part of a larger initiative aimed at protecting the emirate’s cultural and architectural heritage, and maintaining its rich identity.

The second phase of the project focuses on the preservation of 35 areas, sites, and buildings dating from the 1960s to the 1990s. This comes after the successful completion of the first phase, which covered buildings from Dubai’s earlier history. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that the project reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the emirate’s profile as a global cultural destination and preserve its unique national character.

The preservation of heritage areas in Dubai is an ongoing endeavor aimed at preserving the cultural authenticity of areas across the emirate. The project aims to foster cultural continuity, highlighting the enduring relationship between the people and their environment. It also showcases Dubai’s historical interactions with the rest of the world and the influences that have shaped the emirate and the impact it has exerted globally.

The second phase of the project features the restoration of 35 heritage sites and buildings, including Dubai’s old neighborhoods and buildings, which Sheikh Hamdan described as an “open museum of human heritage.” He stressed the importance of celebrating history and protecting architectural treasures for future generations. The heritage areas covered by the project hold the memory of decades of progress and symbolize the dawn of Dubai’s renaissance.

Sheikh Hamdan issued directives to enhance the appeal of both historical areas and modern architectural landmarks to attract more visitors. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to strengthening national identity as well as raising Dubai’s stature on the economic, cultural, and tourism map.

Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, highlighted the Municipality’s commitment to preserving historical landmarks and heritage sites in Dubai. The sites and buildings included in the second phase of the project represent a significant era in Dubai’s history and aim to share this rich heritage with future generations.

The 35 sites and buildings covered by the second phase of the project include iconic landmarks such as the Clock Tower, Rashid Tower, Dubai Petroleum Building, Dubai Municipality Main Building, Jumeirah Mosque, and many more. These structures reflect Dubai’s more recent architectural history and narrate the story of the city’s historical, cultural, social, and economic transformations.

In the first phase of the project, Dubai Municipality focused on preserving buildings from Dubai’s earlier historical periods, including the Al Shindagha Heritage District and the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. The project aims to “document and protect” these structures, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Overall, the project dedicated to preserving Dubai’s heritage architecture is a testament to the emirate’s commitment to honoring its past, celebrating its history, and safeguarding its unique identity for generations to come.