Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), in partnership with the Getty Conservation Institute, held the 2025 edition of the International Course on Earthen Architecture Conservation (EAC), following its successful series in 2018 and 2022.
A month-long training course for 20 professionals from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region took place from January 25 to February 23 in Al Ain, and Nizwa in Oman.
In an interview with Aletihad, Amel Chabbi, Conservation Section Head, DCT, and Aqeel Ahmed Aqeel, Conservation-Historic Buildings Unit, DCT, said the course provided hands-on training for mid-career professionals in the MENASA region to enhance earthen architecture conservation.
DCT – Abu Dhabi supports preserving traditional building methods and trains experts to safeguard historic structures.
The MENASA region, especially the UAE, preserves global earthen heritage through sustainable building techniques.
"The World Heritage Site of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates is home to numerous earthen archaeological sites dating from the Bronze and Iron ages as well as Islamic period houses, forts, and mosques built in mud brick," they said in a statement to Aletihad.
"The use of earth evolved from settlements and their associated agricultural systems which shifted around within the wider oasis landscape zone at the foot of Jebel Hafit. The UAE and Oman share a common landscape, history, and climate, shaping a rich tradition of earthen architecture that reflects centuries of sustainable construction practices."
Regarding the challenges of conserving earthen buildings, the DCT officials mentioned that rapid urbanisation and climate change are major threats.
"DCT – Abu Dhabi has ensured that earthen heritage sites are protected as components of a wider cultural landscape as many of them are associated with the oases and other landscape components. What is important to recognise is that earthen heritage sites are not singular occurrences and independent buildings. For example, the numerous earthen buildings included in the serial World Heritage property of 'The Cultural Sites of Al Ain' or its buffer zones are attributes of the oases. These earthen sites form part of a larger cultural landscape that is now inextricably linked to the evolving urban context of Al Ain."
"Earthen sites can be a driver for sustainable urban development whereby the protection of their authenticity and integrity guides how new developments are planned and designed."
They noted that the earthen architecture is more resilient than concrete but is affected by global warming and rainier winters. Regular maintenance, disaster preparedness, and maintaining traditional skills are very important.
DCT – Abu Dhabi is also training artisans and researching materials such as sarooj (traditional water-resistant mortar) and juss (traditional gypsum-lime mix) for sustainable solutions. DCT – Abu Dhabi uses traditional techniques to prepare mud bricks, plasters, and palm beams with local materials, from Al Ain workshops, incorporating modern materials only when needed to strengthen and preserve heritage sites.
"Recently, DCT – Abu Dhabi's artisans built a modern earthen architectural installation designed by Sumayya Dabbagh for the Sharjah Architectural Triennial. The installation incorporates traditional earthen blocks but in an innovative and challenging form which demonstrates the versatility and modernism of earth as a building material. The installation was called 'From Earth to Earth', which reinforced the environmentally sustainable qualities of earth as a recyclable material."
DCT – Abu Dhabi has advanced its earthen architecture conservation with works such as those on the Jahili Fort and Al Qattara Art Centre by applying innovation and new technology using fiberglass rods and waterproofing systems.
Taking into account the threat posed by climate change, be it heat or storms, the course also addressed the global climate phenomenon's impact, through research, monitoring, as well as adaptive measures.
"This year's course curriculum includes a module specifically addressing climate change, covering the assessment of vulnerability, monitoring impacts, and adaptation planning for earthen sites. Through such initiatives, DCT – Abu Dhabi continues to drive forward-thinking conservation approaches that balance heritage preservation with environmental sustainability."
Hands-on Learning
"The course uses Al Ain and its historic sites as an open-air laboratory to emphasise hands-on learning. Nearly 50% of the course consists of practical activities, including laboratory and site works such as documentation, condition survey, materials testing and hands-on interventions. The final week which took place in Nizwa, Oman, explored how change should be managed in an active and dense earthen urban settlement."
"With regard to tangible immovable cultural heritage, i.e., the historic environment, DCT – Abu Dhabi is developing specific policies that celebrate the Emirate's architectural and urban identity. It will also ensure that modern development is integrated in harmony, and in fact, looks to the historic environment as a driver and source of inspiration, considers the reuse of built heritage, and acknowledges the wider dimension of cultural landscapes. This will ensure that urban planning and urban development are sustainable by considering the existing built environment, intangible heritage, cultural diversity, socio-economic and environmental factors along with local community values."
The DCT officials also noted the UAE is committed to preserving earthen architecture aligning its effort with the Sustainable Development Goals goals, cultural education, and programmes like "Relearning with Earth" for artisans.
Future conservation will focus on digital tools, climate adaptation, along with sustainable construction, blending traditional methods with modern standards for lasting impact.
