Assessing heritage reuse interventions in the Gulf Countries

Abstract

The extraordinary developments and massive urban growth that have plasmid many Gulf countries due to the massive oil exportation have raised many questions regarding the directions of change for many new global cities in the Middle East Regions post-oil era. Discussing the consequences of rapid urbanization and ongoing developments, which have led to a general loss of identity in the Gulf regions, there is a robust ongoing dispute that confronts the desire to build new contemporary cities and the instinctive social need to preserve and re-qualify historical heritage as a precious tool for establishing new relationships with local history and culture. The paper describes, classifies, and compares some exemplary projects for preserving historical heritage in the Gulf countries, with particular attention to the Saudi Arabia heritage. The interventions were analyzed and compared, considering the sustainable aspects linked to the local heritage's environmental, socio-economic, and socio-cultural principles. As a cultural, social, and environmental value, sustainability is one of the most distinctive principles that should be applied to the entire heritage restoration and conservation process, promoting its enhancement, especially in the post-oil era. The results highlight many links between the conservation of ancient natural materials of the historical heritage, the promotion of cultural and social values, the adaptation techniques to the climate, the synergy with the existing historic buildings environment, enhancing the high level of sustainability and environmental respect for local culture and traditional construction techniques.