Curtain comes down on landmark year after plan to protect historic buildings in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi this year introduced one of its most sweeping initiatives yet to help protect the emirate’s heritage.
The Department of Culture and Tourism announced in July that 64 buildings and sites required “immediate and unconditional protection”.
The department’s modern heritage conservation initiative made it a priority to carry out maintenance and rehabilitation work on the buildings.
No demolition applications were allowed.
“It is our civic responsibility to guard this modern heritage,” said Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the department.
“Not only because of the value it holds in our collective memory as residents of this emirate, but because of the historical testimony it has in telling Abu Dhabi’s story through architectural and urban identity between the traditional past and our aspirations for the future.”
Prominent buildings listed under the initiative included the old headquarters of Adnoc, the Central Bank, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry tower and the city’s main bus terminal.
The list also included dozens of less familiar sites, including parks, water tanks, a health complex, one of the early residential towers, a rest house and a cluster of ghaf trees in the capital.
They all help to tell the history
of Abu Dhabi and show how its architecture has changed over the decades.
The Niqa bin Ateej water tank and park in Khalidiya was significant for a city expanding at a rapid rate, while Airport Road Park provided families with a place to enjoy some greenery and included pineapple slides for children to play on.
This park was also home to one of the city’s first fast food chains, Wimpy, with the building still there today.
Some of the capital’s early residential towers, including the Elenco and Harib buildings, are also on the list.
The Harib tower on Electra Street, now known as Sultan bin Zayed the First Street, was among the most prominent landmarks in the city during its heyday. The 1970s-era structure was among the most sought-after buildings in the city.
Those who lived there enjoyed views of the Gulf, while the shops below ensured residents did not have to venture far to buy what they needed.
The authorities this year ensured there was greater focus on these sites, with efforts under way to protect them and ensure people can continue to catch glimpses of the emirate’s past.
Consideration is now being
The list includes dozens of less familiar sites, including parks, water tanks, a rest house and a cluster of ghaf trees
given to how the buildings and heritage sites can be used to benefit the next generation.
Yasser Elsheshtawy, adjunct professor of architecture at Columbia University in the US and an expert on urbanism in the Gulf, told The National in July that was a crucial question for next year and beyond.
“You want to avoid having a city comprised of empty shells, pretty to look at, but otherwise devoid of functional value,” he said. “A city needs to adapt and grow. This initiative is the first step in achieving this goal.”