THE
CULTURAL IMPACT ON
BUILDING DESIGN
An analysis on Dubai’s cultural aspects. INTD326 – Design, Culture & Environment Assignment 2 Nouf Alshrooqi (20182700) Kaltham Aldoseri (20182117) Roshna. S. (20181011) Alaa Mohd (20175584) Rawan Albanna (20181932) Mariam Hisham Sater (20186878)
Dubai takes pride in it’s own culture, which is different from the Western world. But a visitor can get to see how the city embraces different nationalities. It is known for its religious tolerance. Dubai has an influence of the cultures brought in by people living here, yet stays true to it’s roots.
FOOD Dubai is packed with international restaurant –you want a burger? Or steak? Brazilian BBQ, Turkish food or Thai food? It’s all in Dubai! But what’s interesting about Dubai is that Emirati food is not all that commonly found at restaurants, the reason being, most Emirati’s still eat local food at home. However, that scene is changing and you will find restaurants that serve Emirati and cuisines from the Arabian Peninsula. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOAbYFdNQEo AN ULTIMATE FOOD TOUR VIDEO FROM DUBAI
MANOUSHEH An apt choice for the piquant taste buds. Stretched dough or flatbread, filled with exotic toppings like salty Akkawi cheese, earthy zaatar herbs, and olive oil. The go-to dish for the best street food in Dubai. Make sure you hog on these with sweet jam and minced lamb. It is popular with both tourists and locals.
CHELO KEBAB Aromatic saffron-scented basmati rice served with a pat of butter on kebabs – Chelo Kebab is another name in the list of mouthwatering Dubai famous foods.
AL HAREES Wheat, meat, and a pinch of salt, with some hours of baking, produce this really wonderful. Mostly savored during Ramadan, Eid and weddings, Al Harees is one of the most popular Dubai traditional food.
AL MACHBOOS Rice, onions, and meat, seasoned with spices, salt, and dried lemon. This dish has been listed in the list of famous food in Dubai, due to the zesty flavors.
SAMBOOSA One of the most famous Indian dishes, Samosa is served in Dubai with a twist of meat, vegetables, and fish. Samboosa is stuffed with exotic spices and all kinds of meat and vegetables.
ATTIRE Other than the followers of Islam, not many are aware of the Arabic style of clothing typical to Muslim culture. Dubai attracts many outsiders including many tourists and expatriates, thus the dress code is more lenient. Although western-style clothing such as t-shirts, long skirts and trousers are permitted, women are expected and encouraged to keep their skin covered. To sum it up, anything and everything goes as long as you remember that you are in a progressive yet Islamic Emirate.
ABHAYA The Abaya is a long elegant cloak worn by women in Dubai and is their national dress. Traditionally black in color, it covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands. Some women prefer to team it up with the niqāb and Gafaaz to cover up the face and hands as well.
GHUTRAH A typical headscarf worn by men, the ghutrah is also known by the name of keffiyeh/kufiya, or shemagh in other Arabic countries. Typically made from a square cloth of cotton in chequered patterns, it is draped over the head in various styles. In dry climates, these scarves provide protection from blowing dust and harsh rays of the sun.
AGAL Also called iqal, egal or igal is a black band secured tightly around the ghutrah to keep it in place. Usually in black in colour, the Agal is losing its prominence these days with young men draping the guthrah in different ways.
GHAFIYAH The Ghafiyah is a look-alike of a Muslim prayer hat worn below the ghutrah headscarf by Arabic men. They are typically intricately embroidered and not visible to the naked eye as it is covered by the Ghutrah. https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=0pSS7J8QUgU A VIDEO ON WOMEN’S CLOTHING
BURQA An outer piece of clothing used to cover a woman’s body to prevent exposure of skin in public. The Burqa is removed when the woman returns home and/or in the sole company of her family members. It is worn over daily attire and is more common among older generations of Arab women.
KANDURA Also known as thawb, thobe, or dishdasha, the Kandura is an ankle-length, loose-fitting robe for men, usually white in colour. The length of the robe is correlated with the status of the person with the wealthy and royal seen in long robes. Shorter lengths symbolize modesty and are worn by common Arabs.
GISHWA UAE women traditionally wear a Gishwa, which is a thin veil covering the face making them unrecognizable for the purposes of preserving modesty. However, it is fine enough for the wearer to see through.
LANGUAGES The official language of the United Arab Emirates is Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools, and most native Emiratis speak a dialect of Gulf Arabic that is generally similar to that spoken in surrounding countries. A number of languages are spoken among the expatriate community, including various dialects of Pashto, Hindi, Balochi, and Persian. English is also widely spoken.
ARABIC OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Numerous variations of the Arabic language are spoken in the UAE. Modern Standard Arabic is the language used in official documents, as well as government departments. It is also used in books, newspapers, and magazines. The language is based on Classic Arabic, which is more complex. The other version of Arabic spoken in the UAE is Gulf Arabic. Shihhi Arabic is a less popular version of Arabic spoken in the United Arab Emirates.
ENGLISH POPULAR FOREIGN LANGUAGE The land that UAE occupied was a British colony until 1971. Therefore, English is a popular language in the region. The language is mainly used in the educational system, where it is taught as a second language. As a result of the large community of western expatriates living the United Arab Emirates, English is more commonly used than Arabic in the country.
MINORITY LANGUAGES PERSIAN & HINDI Persian, also referred to as Farsi, is a minority language mainly spoken by the small community of Iranians who live in UAE.. Iranians are said to be the earliest immigrants into UAE due to the country’s proximity to Iran. Hindi is the other minority language. It is widely spoken by the many Indian immigrants living in the country, who make up close to 30 percent of the UAE’s population. The Hindi language is taught in Indian schools, which are primarily run by wealthy Indian expatriates.
IMPORTANCE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN DUBAI The United Arab Emirates has one of the most diverse populations in the world. The country is endowed with numerous languages spoken by the broad range of immigrants. This diversity of languages has made the country a cultural hub, and tourists flock to the country to sample the different cultures available there. Additionally, the diversity of languages makes the country an attractive location for business people. About three-fifths of the population is Muslim, of which roughly four-fifths belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. There are also small but growing numbers of Christians and Hindus in the country.
MAJOR RELIGIONS PRACTISED IN UAE - Islam is the official religion of the state as well as the largest religion in UAE. Both Catholics and Protestants have a significant presence in the UAE. 33 churches are active here. A large section of UAE’s Christians traces their origins to Asia. Hindu businessmen from India had played a significant role during the early days of Dubai’s development. Their contribution towards the city’s growth was acknowledged by a former Emir of the Emirate of Dubai who allowed the construction of a Hindu temple complex in Bur Dubai.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE IN UAE Although Islam is the state religion of the UAE, the practice of other religions is generally tolerated by the government. However, non-Muslims are not expected to interfere in the religious matters and laws applicable to the Muslim citizens living in the country. The use of media to spread knowledge about religions other than Islam is strictly discouraged in the country. Muslim citizens of the country are required to strictly adhere to the Islamic way of life and cultural practices.
TECHNOLOGY In addition to being home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and biggest shopping malls, Dubai has also carved out a well-deserved reputation for being willing to go big with the latest emerging technology. From robotic police forces to autonomous taxis, here are our picks for Dubai’s most exciting tech innovations.
The saying “fight fire with fire” doesn’t mean much in Dubai. Instead, they prefer to do their firefighting with jetpacks. https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=E5Rt-NkxKJc
While most cities are still caught up wondering about regular selfdriving cars, Dubai is busy putting self-driving flying cars through their paces. Given a test flight last month, Dubai’s the Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT) is described as the world’s first “self-flying taxi service.” https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=V08IQz7Rk3o
Less smiley, but just as metallic as the robot host at the Rosemont Five Star Hotel is Dubai’s latest law enforcement officer. The first robot cop was introduced this summer, complete with a camera for transmitting live images and identifying suspects, and a touch screen which can be used by members of the public to report crimes and ask questions. According to the Smart Services division of the Dubai police, such humanoid robots will make up an entire quarter of the local police
Not content to just have humanoid robot cops on the street, Dubai has also signed an agreement with Singaporean startup called OTSAW Digital to introduce self-driving cop cars. The “cars” themselves are more like a child’s pedal car in size, and have a top speed of just 9.3 mph, but they boast the same LIDAR and sensing technology as larger autonomous vehicles. Most importantly, they can act as portable surveillance systems to search for wanted individuals or vehicles, or suspicious objects left unattended.
Having last month received a contract to build yet another extension, Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will eventually stretch to cover a massive 83 square miles, making it the world’s largest single-site solar park. As if that wasn’t enough of a record breaker, it will also soon boast an enormous 260meter (853-foot) solar tower, the tallest in the world. It’s a key ingredient in the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase the share of clean energy in the city to 7 percent by 2020, 25 percent by 2030, and a massive 75 percent by 2050.
Just when you think Dubai is out of ideas, you hear about plans to build an enormous “space simulation city” that will offer up, “a viable and realistic model to simulate living on the surface of Mars.” With a budget of $135 million and a footprint stretching to 1.9 million square feet, the Mars Science City will simulate as closely as possible the conditions of a real life Mars colony — complete with greenhouses for testing out agricultural techniques, solar radiation-blocking 3D printed walls, and far more. It’s all part of a plan for the United Arab Emirates to send its first unmanned probe to Mars in 2020, and establish a colony there sometime in the next century.
ART Dubai is a city that cherishes art in all different types of it, where they do their best to gather the artists and to encourage them to keep on.. For example: they have an annual event that is called “ world art Dubai” where they offer the most engaging, exceptional, experiential and things not to miss where this happens to be the most important art fair there in Dubai
In Dubai they not only support the artists as painters but they support art in all figures such as these
ARCHITECTURE Dubai’s architecture is extravagant, excessive, inconsequent and opulent. Despite all that, it is also mind-blowing, impressive, and unique. Dubai is largely admired by what is has achieved in the last 30 years. It became one of the richest cities in the world and generated some of the most daring and groundbreaking engineering and architectural achievements to date. It is home to the world’s tallest building, largest shopping mall, largest indoor ski slope. It is expanding its territory towards the sea in the shape of several human-made islands, as well as investing in innovative transportation technologies and infrastructure. It will host the World Expo 2020, reinforcing its position in the international scene as an economic powerhouse in the middle east.
HISTORY OF DUBAI ARCHITECTURE
DUBAI’S ARCHITECTURE: TRADITIONAL DESIGN MERGES WITH CONTEMPORARY
Dubai's original architecture, dating from the late 19th century, was influenced by Iranian, Indian, and Islamic designs. The hot and humid climate, religious and social customs of the inhabitants, and available selection of construction materials were crucial considerations in building styles
Architectural styles in Dubai have changed significantly in recent years. While architecture was initially traditional, Dubai’s current modernist architecture features innovative exposed-glass walls, stepped ascending spirals and designs that offer subtle nods to traditional Arabic motifs. Building materials used for Dubai skyscrapers are simple, with most structures made of concrete and glass. Most of the taller buildings in Dubai are residential, with some buildings also designated for commercial purposes
EVOLUTION OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN From rudimentary dwellings of the Neolithic period to the construction DUBAI of massive buildings
with arches, domes, aqueducts and amphitheatres in the Antiquity period, architecture has greatly evolved and it still continues to do so. Even if you look at Islamic architecture over the years, mosques and tombs built during different eras vary greatly in style, but they still exude the signature elements of traditional architecture Before that, just like everywhere else in the world, architecture in Dubai was influenced by traditional building concepts that centred around the cultural identity of the city. Early architecture in the emirate was limited due to the availability of materials, building methods and design ideas.
Dubai’s eclectic collection of skyscrapers began in 1979 with the construction of the Dubai World Trade Centre. The iconic structure defied the norms of traditional architecture and ventured into newer designs and building techniques that seamlessly combined functionality with pleasing aesthetics. While buildings were once built completely for functionality with little thought given to aesthetics, present-day architecture is designed to make a statement – something that is evident from Dubai’s selection of edgy structures. Today’s modern architecture uses more advanced and high-tech design principles and materials such as exposed concrete, metal, and glass to create more than just a functional structure.
CULTURE& TRADITION Hospitality is central to everyday Emirati culture, and sipping Arabic coffee, or gahwa, is part of the warm welcome. This aromatic coffee is made with cloves, cardamom, cumin and saffron, and poured from a dallah pot into a small cup called a finjaan. Enjoy gahwa with dates while relaxing in the majlis, a comfortable meeting space traditionally used to host guests and catch up with friends.
ARABIAN ART Traditional Emirati art is based on Arabic calligraphy, which uses Arabic script to create artistic patterns. Arabesque and girih Islamic geometric patterns are also a big part of traditional art. Look out for events and exhibitions celebrating local and international talent in Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz and Dubai Design District, also known as d3. You’ll find galleries, studios, performances, furniture shops, pop‑up shops and cafes in these creative hubs.
POETRY & DANCE Poetry is in Arabic tradition with roots in the nomadic Bedouin culture, where it would serve to tell stories, deal with issues in society, welcome guests or entertain them on journeys across the desert. There are two prominent types ‑ Nabati and Al‑Taghrooda. The colloquial Nabati poetry is simple and direct, while Al‑Taghrooda is chanted poetry performed back and forth between two people. Sometimes poetry accompanies the Al‑Ayyala folk dance traditionally performed during festivities or celebrations. Men hold canes and dance in rows to a steady drum to express unity.
TRADITIONAL SPORT These days water sports, motor sports, and desert adventures are a big part of weekend local culture, along with tennis, golf, football and rugby. But there’s a chance to take part in traditional Emirati heritage sports that originated from hunting and survival, including falconry, camel racing and equestrian sports.
RAMADAN The laws and culture of Dubai and the UAE are directly linked with Islamic tradition. And there’s no better time to experience it than during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. Followers fast from dawn to dusk, and when the sun sets Muslims enjoy an Iftar meal with friends and family. You can join in the many Iftar buffets across the city and take part in local traditions. Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, so the dates move forward every year, ending with the public holiday for Eid al Fitr.
HERITAGE DISTRICT Delve into Dubai’s culture and history along the Dubai Creek. Start at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood and work your way along to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House and the Heritage Village. Explore traditional style villages with wind towers and courtyards, take a closer look at pottery and weaving by local artisans, and learn about local life at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. There are several museums and
FESTIVALS Dubai is a bustling social hub with exceptional retail, sports and entertainment experiences taking place in every single month of the year.
DUBAI JAZZ FESTIVAL Held at the Dubai Media Festival is another highly Dubai. The event has seen John Legend, Ricky Martin, biggest hits in Dubai.
City Amphitheatre, Dubai Jazz anticipated music festivals in musical legends such as Duran, and Mariah Carey perform their
OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC This event attracts the eyes of a global audience. This annual professional golf tournament has been part of the European Tour schedule since its inauguration in 1989 and is now rated as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
DUBAI FESTIVAL With crazy sales
SHOPPING
and unbelievable discounts running across major brands, the Dubai Shopping Festival secures the top spot on our list of Dubai’s biggest annual events. Dubai is known for being a shopper’s paradise.
EMIRATES AIRLINE FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE During three weekends, visitors can explore the wealth of literature at three venues: Jameel Arts Centre, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City and Al Serkal Avenue. The Centre will organise discussions and workshops. At InterContinental Dubai, there will be talks, workshops and live performances. At the end will be the celebrations of film, food and creativity at Avenue.
DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL Visitors can enjoy dining at some of the most incredible restaurants and enjoy discounted deals. You can enjoy your food with the backdrop of live music. If you fancy yourself as a chef, you can polish your skills with comprehensive workshops and cooking shows. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKYlMm3EtTY&t=2s
DUBAI WORLD CUP Also rated as the largest social event in Dubai, this event is well-known for its ‘statement hat’ competition. Ladies attending the event compete by wearing the most extravagant hats. Held for the first time in 1996, this event has become one of the biggest annual sports events in Dubai. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBB2yrqCZxM
DUBAI SUMMER ENTERPRISES Sales extravaganza that takes place right after the schools close for the summer break. Parents get to take advantage of unbelievable deals on clothes, accessories, electronics, as well as ‘back to school’ discounts on school supplies. Sporting its ever-popular mascot, Modhesh, the DSS holds numerous activities for kids ensuring entertainment for the whole family.
DUBAI FITNESS CHALLEN Introduced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai Fitness Challenge has gained immense popularity since its inaugural edition in 2017. The purpose of the event is to challenge residents to opt for a healthier lifestyle by participating in 30 minutes of exercise for 30 consecutive https://www.youtube.com/wat days. ch?v=LPEST0JYsKI&t=31s
DUBAI DESIGN WEEK Design Week aims to celebrate Dubai’s creative community through art installations, exhibitions and events throughout the city. In 2021, the focus of the event will be reimagining the world as hit by the pandemic. Dubai Design Week is definitely an event that all art fans should look forward to. https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=ATs7M5jYaKk
MUSIC Dubai, a city with a rich culture, too has its methods and ideas. One of the many standard segments among the numerous places globally is music. No wonder, music is something which is enjoyed by everyone and when it comes to Dubai, it’s all about music reminisce that has been forwarded to the locals by their ancestors as a part of their legacy. It has traditional tunes and music styles with stories that go behind. Eastern Arabic music traditions from the very base from which the traditional Dubai music came into existence. Let’s read more about the music of Dubai.
KALIL AND BEDOUIN FOLK MUSIC Some of the traditional music of Dubai includes Khalil music and Bedouin folk music. Khalil music involves playing of the classical tabla or the drum. In Bedouin folk music, the songs are based on poetry. It may or may not require the playing of musical instruments which traditionally included the rebab and the woodwinds. This music is the native of the Bedouin nomads belonging to different places such as Sudan, Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.
INSTRUMENTS USED TRADITIONAL DUBAI MUSIC
IN
DRUMS
RABABAH
frames holding multiple pair of zills which creates music when shaken.
Drums are well known; they generate sounds when the drumhead is tapped by the player’s hands or the drum sticks.
Rababah which is also known as rebab, rabab, and rababa, is a bowed string instrument with spiked bottom to help it rest on the ground when played and thus also called spike fiddle.
TAMBURA
OUD
NEY
Tambura is a longnecked stringed instrument with doubled steel strings
Oud is a stringed instrument with a short neck consisting of eleven or thirteen strings.
Ney or Nay is a hollow cylindrical instrument with keyholes, basically an end-blown flute.
TAMBOURINE S Plastic or wooden
AFFECTING THE BUILDING DESIGNS Since the 1960’s, researchers from many fields have had a longstanding interest in different aspects of traditional buildings; however, there is an absence of systematic study of the relationship between traditional buildings and sustainability. This paper deals specifically with the following areas:
Introduction of grid street pattern has changed the visual image and quality of the urban areas. What was once a pedestrian oriented urban pattern has now become a strictly geometric and vehicle-oriented one Use of calligraphy, plants and basic geographical shapes indoors as the religion Islam prohibits any decoration or painting representing any creature with a spirit The religion highly respects one’s privacy. This can seen in Mashrabbiya windows as it allows viewing outdoor without violating the privacy. The continuity between the inside to outside is also achieved by these windows.
Several houses are angled to the direction of Mecca. We can find religious places like mosques too, that are inclined to that Due to harsh dry weather conditions in Dubai, over centuries houses have been modified to remain cool. One such example is Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (a heritage site) is a arab traditional house with corals and sea shells on the wall. These mixed with the mortar mix keeps the cool air trapped inside the house. Islamic architecture taken as influence to have homes with central courtyards, which allowed for better air circulation in the old houses in Dubai. The higher walls shielded these houses from the harsh sunlight, and the intricate labyrinthine structures took acre of insulation. The concept of the Majlis became popular in these traditional desert homes and was used by male members as a meeting room.
REFERENCES • https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/history-of-dubai-architecture/ • https://www.emirates.com/us/english/discover-dubai/dubai-cultureand-tradition/ • https://www.frommers.com/destinations/dubai/in-depth/architecture • https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/biggest-celebrations-annual-events -dubai/ • https://www.holidify.com/pages/music-of-dubai-2379.html • https://www.worldartdubai.com/#/ • https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/dubai-tech-projects/ • https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/how-traditional-desert-homes-stay ed-cool-uae / • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042813042 791