The urban evolution of The United Arab Emirates is particularly interesting to consider. This urban evolution may be considered from the perspective of a general, nationwide overview, in which an overall metamorphosis of the U.A.E. occurred, as well as a more particular scale, through looking at individual cities and emirates- and, in the case of this reflection, the emirate of Sharjah.
Over a mere few decades, the country has gone through numerous stages of metamorphosis through its rapid evolution and urbanization. Its origin as a modest collection of traditional settlements is juxtaposed by its current state as a global hub of architectural icons and modernism. Rapid development is still an ongoing characteristic of the country, with a growing emphasis on large-scale, iconic projects, as well as sustainability and smart city concepts.
Generally, this urban evolution may be subdivided into different stages and categories- and ones that had vastly different reasons for the country’s expansion. Generally, however, the base variables are the same: driven by a booming economy, a strategic geographic location, the rise and fall of the relevance of oil, as well as an influx of expatriates seeking employment opportunities. To add to this, what began as an urban warp has eventually translated into an iconic skyline, in both Dubai, as well as the U.A.E.’s capital, Abu Dhabi, adorned with glistening towers and skyscrapers, symbols of wealth, abundance, and excess, and deeply representative of the country’s ambitions.
While this paper will analyze the Emirate of Sharjah in-depth, it is important to consider a general overview of the United Arab Emirates. In 1971, the United Arab Emirates was established as a federation of seven states- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah- in which each emirate has its unique urban landscape. It is difficult to summarize the urban planning strategies- past, present, and future- of each one of these emirates, but this reflection will aim to, do as much, and as accurately as possible, notwithstanding that this is an incomplete reflection.
The history of Sharjah is particularly interesting, with a timeline that dates backs centuries: “Sharjah’s strategic location has been instrumental in the formation and development of the Trucial States, a unique system of governance that led to cultural and economic links between the East and West in the 19th century” (Studio Costa). Sharjah is comprised of different cities: Dibba Al-Hisn, Abu Musa, Khor Fakkan, Sir Abu Nu’ayr, Nahwa, Al Khan, and Kalba. However, this analysis will focus on the main metropolitan area. The city itself is known for its cultural heritage and traditional architecture but has undergone significant transformation over the years. Its earliest settlements date back to around 5000 BC in which early settlements clustered around the coastal areas of the country. However, in the early nineteenth century, “Sharjah developed from a small fishing village to an urban settlement” (Kirchner, 2018, 791). As previously established, the discovery of oil created an influx of changes: both on a socioeconomic and urban level. It brought about significant changes in the city- and, overall, the country’s- urban planning. The newfound wealth led to excessive expansion and modernization.
The epicenter of this urban transformation began within the vicinity of the Sharjah Creek- which leads into the “Khalid Lagoon”. Its traditional urban fabric is typical to the climate and context of the region, in which local and vernacular architecture is manifested and applied, on both an architectural and urban scale. On an architectural note, courtyard-based houses, as well as the “Barjeel”- “the term wind tower is defined broadly to include any vent rising above the roof level which is designed to facilitate air circulation into the room below to improve its climatic conditions” (MDPI) are applied. Urban-scale applications include towns characterized by narrow streets and a typical souq. The city’s layout evolved around community needs, with social and religious structures occupying central locations. The urban morphology of the city accelerated further, with numerous iterations of master plans at their height in the 1960s. And, by 1966, it had been established where the intercity connection between Sharjah and Dubai would be: this was established as early as the 1940s, in which “the British government mapped how Dubai and Sharjah were connected by a naturally occurring trail of sabkha, a crystallized formation hard enough for cars to transverse… it foretold an urban convergence undeniable by the late 1970s” (Al Qassemi and Reisz, 2021, p52).
Currently, the areas closest to the original urban epicenter are under continuous analysis, in an attempt to document their successive changes and developments, on both an academic and personal note: The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) launched a program of stories and oral histories, “to learn more about the social and urban fabric of Sharjah’s historic Al Mureijah, Al Suyoukh, and Al Shuwaiheen areas” (Khaleej Times, 2022). To add to this, the area as a whole has been reappropriated for cultural and historical purposes and currently houses numerous art exhibitions, museums, and galleries. These initiatives are further reiterated by the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, in which two buildings dated from the U.A.E.’s Modern period have been purchased “as part of a campaign to conserve the emirate’s 1970s and ’80s architecture, which is increasingly under threat of demolition” (Ravenscroft, 2020). The two buildings- The Al Jubail Vegetable Market, and The Al-Qasimiyah School- are both based in Sharjah, a testament to the architectural and urban relevance of the city.
More recently, the city established the Sharjah Urban Planning Council (SUPC), in 2005, responsible for setting strategic policies, guidelines, and standards for the emirate’s urban development- further restructured in 2021 (WAM, 2022). Unlike other emirates, Sharjah has undertaken significant efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and architectural identity, as previously established, distinctly setting it apart from other cities. This has been established through governmental intervention, in which certain spaces are designated heritage districts, and where traditional buildings and historic sites are protected and conserved. Like other urban centers in the UAE, Sharjah has embraced mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create vibrant urban environments. These developments enhance community living and foster economic growth.
And so, Sharjah’s relevance must not be undermined- both locally, and more regionally. In its recognition of culture, art, and history, it was named the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998. In 2015, it was established as a WHO Healthy city, by meeting “88% of the program” (Sharjah Update). Sharjah was also named “The World Book Capital” in 2019: “The city was selected because of the very innovative, comprehensive and inclusive nature of the application, with a community-focused activity program containing creative proposals to engage the very large migrant population” (UNESCO, 2023). And so, Sharjah’s reputation as a hub for arts and culture is exceptionally intertwined with its history and urban morphology.
Thus, the city’s urban planning reflects a delicate balance between the preservation of its historical heritage, as reflected in its city design, as well as a newfound embrace of modern development. Newer architectural and urban developments include key projects by starchitects such as Zaha Hadid’s “Bee’a”, Adjaye Associate’s “The Africa Institute”, as well as Foster + Partners’ “House of Wisdom”, among many others- surely to leave a strong imprint on the city’s urban fabric. And so, the city strikes an exceptional balance between cultural preservation and architectural innovation, carved in its intricate and inviting urban fabric.
References:
Al Qassemi, S. and Reisz, T. 2021. Building Sharjah. Berlin, Boston: Birkhäuser. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783035622775
Assi, E. (2022) Layers of meaning and evolution of cultural identity: The case of wind towers in Dubai, MDPI. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/2/1/4 (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Editor, T. (2015) Who names sharjah ‘Healthy City’, Sharjah Update. Available at: https://www.sharjahupdate.com/2015/09/who-names-sharjah-healthy-city/ (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Kirchner, Samia. 2012. Sharjah: Seascape Urbanism in a Khaliji 2 Port City. In Where do youstand? ACSA.
Ravenscroft, T. (2020) Sharjah’s 1970s and ’80s architecture is being saved by the Architecture Triennial, Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/11/15/sharjah-architecture-triennial-1970-1980/ (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Reporter (2022) Sharjah: Residents invited to share memories to document history of 3 areas, Khaleej Times. Available at: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/arts-and-culture/sharjah-residents-invited-to-share-memories-to-document-history-of-3-areas (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Sharjah named World Book Capital 2019 (no date) UNESCO.org. Available at: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/sharjah-named-world-book-capital-2019?TSPD_101_R0=080713870fab200071aa8a701683ed6132f242c4965f62563d2ae00b24e97d48374f3f11c9da8908081d3f06681430006d80b9f5c1c733ec339ee5a9d6d1c2af61fd8a5065b2c528c7af1c30c8dbb9797e1340d9cb6907f204757f7641384c12 (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Sharjah urban guidelines – studio Costa Architecture (2020) Studio Costa Architecture – A New Humanism for the Cities of Tomorrow. Available at: https://www.studiocosta.ae/portfolio/sharjah-urban-guidelines/ (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Wam (2022) Sharjah ruler restructures urban planning council, wam. Available at: https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302937529 (Accessed: 02 August 2023).
Image Resources:
Aerial view of Sharjah, overlooking Khalid Port. Retrieved from:
https://www.archdaily.com/895729/sharjah-architecture-triennial-to-open-as-first-major-platform-on-middle-eastern-architecture. (Accessed August 3, 2023).
Map of Sharjah from the 1960s. Retrieved from “Building Sharjah”.
Collage of architectural elements. Copyright Dheyaa Dheyaa.
