Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
What are the hidden treasures of a modern city? In Abu Dhabi, they are found not only in its buildings and public spaces, but in the memories and stories of the people who witnessed its transformation.
Through Archives of Tomorrow: Abu Dhabi’s Modern Heritage, its first official publication documenting and celebrating the emirate’s modern architectural, urban and cultural heritage, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) brings together architecture, photography, and personal stories to capture the capital’s transformation.
Aletihad spoke to Yasmeen Al Rashdi, Modern & Urban Heritage Head, Historic Environment Department – Culture Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, about the importance, memories, and future of Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage.
Abu Dhabi’s efforts to protect its modern heritage gained an important legal foundation in 2016 with the introduction of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s Cultural Heritage Law No. 4.
“The law recognises modern heritage as a class of heritage on a par with archaeological sites and historic buildings,” Al Rashdi said.
The move also reflected the UAE’s commitment to establishing policies and legal protection for modern heritage as the emirate continues to evolve.
“Acknowledging, documenting and celebrating the importance of Abu Dhabi’s architectural and urban heritage is a big part of managing the risks of potential losses,” she said.
The publication brings together essays and visual narratives to document Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage from different perspectives.
It explores the emirate through “written texts, photographic essays, architectural photography and artistic documentation”, Al Rashdi said.
She explained that these different forms of creative expression work together to document significant places while telling the wider story of Abu Dhabi.
"Collectively, these approaches seek to harness the power and impact of diverse creative expressions to contribute to telling Abu Dhabi’s story, the preservation of its significant sites and the promotion of Abu Dhabi’s built heritage," she said.
The book also sheds light on everyday life in Abu Dhabi and how people interacted with its buildings, structures and public spaces.
“The rich and informative essays touch on everyday life in Abu Dhabi and our interaction with these buildings, structures and sites,” Al Rashdi said.
She highlighted an essay by architect and academic Rami Dhaher on shared public spaces as cultural heritage.
“This written contribution explores how collective memory, social practices, urban diversity and connectivity are part of understanding places and their significance,” she said.
Oral Histories and Intangible Records
DCT Abu Dhabi’s documentation extends beyond physical sites to the people and memories connected to them.
“Our documentation can take many forms and is often a combination of measured and technical documentation, photographic and visual recording, historical research, condition assessment and digital documentation,” Al Rashdi said.
Where possible, DCT also collects oral histories and intangible records linked to modern heritage places.
These capture the memories, stories and experiences of individuals and communities connected to them.
“This helps in capturing the perspectives of architects, owners, occupants, users and the wider community to complement the physical and historical record,” she said.
As the first official publication on Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage, Archives of Tomorrow has attracted interest from the public, heritage advocates and architecture professionals.
“This has paved the way for more publications ranging from coffee-table books to technical knowledge resources,” Al Rashdi said.
DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue identifying and formally registering modern heritage assets while working with building owners on their long-term maintenance and management.
“Modern heritage sites are important assets that add value to new types of development,” she said, highlighting the role of existing buildings in rehabilitation programmes and sustainable development.
Finally, Al Rashdi highlighted the work of Emirati photographer Mana Al Marbooei, who captures Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage from the sky, as a personal favourite in the book.
“This gives us a wonderful insight into the fourth dimension, viewing these places from above and giving us an eagle-eye view of the city, structures and the urban context,” she said.
