Regional Architecture and Identity in the Age of Globalization CSAAR 2007 The International Conference of The Center for the Study of Architecture in the Arab Region In Collaboration with National School of Architecture and Urbanism
Tunis, Tunisia, 13-15 November, 2006 Session 2A: Architecture of the South: Colonial & Post Colonial Impacts
Impact of Globalization On The Built-Environment Identity In The Arabian Gulf Region Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Department of Architecture Kuwait University, Kuwait
Thank you
First, I would like to thank the organizers of the CSAAR2007. I especially would like to thank Samer Taweel for his dedication and sincere cooperation in answering my “endless” emails and requests.
Argument This
paper argues that the world regions, according to their traditional definitions as isolated distinctive entities, do not exist any more.
Globalization
has created “a virtual region” that is influencing the life of the individual more than the physical geographic regions.
Introduction ď Ž This
paper investigates how the process of globalization has taken place in the Arabian Gulf region since the middle of the 20th century and its impact on the formation of contemporary built environment identity.
Phase
Introduction It
traces the origins of globalization and investigates its current “tides” at the beginning of the 21st century.
Period
Manifestations
Pre-oil Period
Before 1950
-Poor economy
and lack of resources -Traditional nomadic/Bedouin societies -Traditional/Vernacular Architecture
First Wave
1950 to 1973
-Discovery of
Second Wave
1973 to 1990
-1973 ME War
Third Wave
1991 to 2001
-1990 Iraqi invasion to
Fourth Wave
2001 to Date
-2001 9/11 events
oil and wealth -Modernization: planning, construction systems, materials -Urban development plans -Modern/International style architecture and the rise of oil prices -1980s First Gulf War between Iraq and Iran -Rapid urban development, post-modern and high-tech architecture Kuwait -1991 Second Gulf War -Rapid economic and urbanization development of Gulf countries -Globalization: Economic – Political – Communication – Cultural - … -Identity crisis and revival of traditional style architecture -2003 Third Gulf
war -Post-Globalization: Economic – Political – Communication – Cultural .. -Architecture of Globalization
Theoretical Model ď Ž The
paper adopts the theoretical model which considers that the construction of identities is fundamental to the dynamic of societies and that cultural identity is the process by which social actors build their own meaning according to cultural attributes.
Case Study ď Ž This
paper focuses on the case of Kuwait as an example of the globalization process currently taking place in the Gulf region. ď Ž The case of Kuwait illustrates the impact of globalization on the formation of other cities around the world, especially other Gulf cities that are going through similar transformations.
Case Study ď Ž The
city-state of Kuwait is located at the northern tip of the Arabian Gulf, occupying 17,818 square kilometers. ď Ž It is bordered by Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south.
Case Study ď Ž The
2003 Gulf War
1991 Liberation
1990 Invasion
1982 Stock Market crash
1973 Middle East War
Post-oil-period
1967 Middle East War
1952 1st Master Plan
Pre-oil-period
1961 Independence
1940’s discovery of oil
city-state of Kuwait has evolved during the second half of the 20th century under influences of economic, international and global changes.
The Pre-Oil Ear Before 1950
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Pre-Oil Ear: Before 1950 ď Ž Before
the discovery of oil during the 1930s, Kuwait was an isolated traditional settlement beside a small creek, overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
The First Wave 1950 to 1973
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The First Wave: 1952 to 1973 ď Ž The
process of globalization started to occur in Kuwait since 1950s.
ď Ž The
British firm Minoprio, Spencely and Macfarlane was invited to develop the First Master Plan for the city of Kuwait in 1952.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The First Wave: 1952 to 1973 ď Ž The
First Kuwait Master Plan of the 1952 called for the demolition of the old city and replace it by a modern city based on standard city planning of post-war Europe. ď Ž It
tore down old houses and walls and replaced them with modern buildings and structures.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The First Wave: 1952 to 1973 ď Ž The
city center, once a place where families lived, shopped, worked and played, was foreordained a commercial district.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The First Wave: 1952 to 1973 ď Ž
Residents were shifted to Western-style family villas and apartments in the new neighborhoods that replaces their traditional courtyard houses.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The First Wave: 1952 to 1973 ď Ž The
planning of new neighborhoods was influenced by models and strategies of urban planning and architecture borrowed from other cultures and introduced through master plans and design schemes.
The Second Wave 1973 to 1990
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Second Wave: 1973 to 1990 ď Ž Another
important stage followed the implementation of the first master plan. ď Ž The architecture produced during that era was completely alien.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Second Wave: 1973 to 1990 ď Ž It
required the development of architectural landmarks that attempt to relate architecture to its region. ď Ž A panel of four advisors was formed to find solutions for the emerging problems.
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Second Wave: 1973 to 1990 They
invited the “starchitects” of that era to design its landmark buildings. – Jorn Utzon was invited to design the National Assembly building, – Arne Jacobsen to design the Central Bank, – Kenzo Tange to design the International Airport and – Reima Pietila to design the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
Other
big names also participated in this process including; Marcel Breuer, SOM, I.M.Pei, Egnell and Bjorn and Arthur Erickson.
Kuwait Towers By: Reima Pietila
Kuwait National Assembly By: Jorn Utzon
Kuwait International Airport By: Kenzo Tange
Kuwait Central Bank By: Arne Jacobsen
Banks Complex By: SOM
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Second Wave: 1973 to 1990 This
period was followed by other transformations resulting from global economic and political challenges.
The
stock market crash of the 80’s was followed by the dramatic experience of invasion and liberation during the 90’s.
The Third Wave 1991 to 2001 Post-Modernism
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Third Wave: 1991 to 2001 ď Ž This
period witnessed efforts to reconstruct
Down Town View
Souq Sharq
The Scientific Center
Salmiya Palace
Salmiya Palace
Al Zumuruda at Al Bidaa
”The Spanish Villas” at Jabriyah
”Le Notre” Gulf Road
Fourth Wave The 3rd Millennium Contemporary Globalization
The Process of Globalization in Kuwait The Fourth Wave: The 3rd Millennium ď Ž The
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
Diabetes Hospital
Burj Al Hamam
Downtown Environment
Downtown Towers
Downtown Towers
Downtown Towers
The Future
360째 Shopping Center
The Heritage Village, Revival of Past Memories
A romantic attempt to “rebuild that past” in the form of a “traditional village” is currently under construction.
Future Downtown Towers
The Silk City
At the center of the city stands Burj Mubarak Al Kabir, “the Tower of a Thousand and One Nights� as a symbol that stands as an icon for the world to know.
The Silk City
The New University City
The New University City will have three affiliated campuses, including one for female students, one for male students, and a medical campus.
Conclusions
Downtown Towers
Clash of Styles
Clash of Styles
Clash of Styles
Salmiya Palace: Althahir Wa Albatin
Global and Local Building Types
TYPOLOGY OF HYPERIDENTITY IN KUWAITI ARCHITECTURE ď Ž
Identities of Legitimization
State and governmental institutions are utilizing Islamic and traditional Kuwaiti architecture elements and principles in the design of their buildings. These styles provide them with the required reference and identities of legitimization.
Al Sief Palace
The grand Mosque
TYPOLOGY OF HYPERIDENTITY IN KUWAITI ARCHITECTURE Identities
of Resistance
Architects who attempt to resist the “invasion” of the modern style are utilizing elements and principles of traditional Kuwaiti architecture in their design.
Al Salmiya Palace
Al Zmuruda Restaurant
TYPOLOGY OF HYPERIDENTITY IN KUWAITI ARCHITECTURE New
Identities
Introducing “new identities” through the design of buildings that incorporate new functions that did not exist in the past with traditional design principles and elements to satisfy contemporary cultural needs and in completely new ways.
Shopping Center
Office Building
TYPOLOGY OF HYPERIDENTITY IN KUWAITI ARCHITECTURE ď Ž New
Identities
Buildings using a completely different approach, attempt to create a new cultural identity that blends the past and the present in one single entity. It has many references to traditional architecture using modern materials and technology. Users do not detect easily the many references to the past that are provided by the building design and details.
Le Notre Restaurant
Entrance
TYPOLOGY OF HYPERIDENTITY IN KUWAITI ARCHITECTURE ď Ž Individual
Identities
Individual identities are found in villas and houses built by Kuwaiti citizens on lots of lands given by the government as part of plot and loan housing program. The owners hire architects to design their houses and villas according to their specific needs and desires.
Individual Villas
Thank You