Preserving a way of life

Abu Dhabi: Steeped in history and tradition, the UAE has always housed a rich Emirati culture and way of living.

So even as the capital city transforms into a world class tourist destination of choice, authorities are markedly stepping up efforts to preserve and popularise sites of both historic and modern heritage.

While historic sites representing Emirati culture are being preserved or getting a facelift, conservators at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) are also conducting a survey to determine places and landmarks which hold a special value to current residents.

This is because the tangible heritage of a place is composed of both historic sites, as well as places that are currently significant and that will retain value for future generations, Aqeel Ahmad Aqeel, historic building conservator at ADACH, told Gulf News.

Wind towers

"Sites of heritage are especially important because they help people learn about the ideas and lifestyles of a civilisation. For instance, the structure of older Emirati houses includes wind towers. So simply visiting an old house teaches you about a natural mechanism of protection from the desert heat that was adopted in the past," he said.

"Currently, there are about two historic sites in the city open to the public, namely Shaikh Shakhboot Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's summer house in Khalifa Park and the Maqta Fort and Customs House. We are also working to develop the Qasr Al Hosn, which will be a major cultural centre when opened," Aqeel added.

Qasr Al Hosn, which is also known as the White Fort or the Cultural Foundation and was the seat of the government in the capital since 1793, has been closed for renovation for the past year.

According to Aqeel, the stone structure is scheduled to house a museum and other cultural activities.

"We know that both Emirati and expat residents, as well as tourists, would like to visit more places within the city that are rich in Emirati heritage. While these are limited in number at present, the ADACH is also surveying residents to determine other sites which could be developed into heritage landmarks," he added.

Aqeel also said that as part of another initiative, the ADACH would compile a list of modern heritage landmarks that would be preserved for the future.

"This will include sites like the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Al Manhal Palace on Airport Road, the souq in Mina, and other places which residents hold dear at present," he said.

Currently, the Grand Mosque is one of the most popular cultural sites in the capital, and according to statistics released by the Grand Mosque Centre last month, it saw 1.16 million visitors during the first four months of 2011.

Most residents in the capital, contacted by Gulf News, called for more Emirati culture-related attractions within the capital city.

Places of interest

"The Zayed Centre on the breakwater and the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque are must-see places of interest, but few other heritage landmarks exist otherwise and even less is known about them," said M. Mughal, a 40-year-old cost engineer from India who has been living in the capital since 2005.

"I have two young children, and am always looking for places within the city that they can visit to learn and experience Emirati culture. Since we have seen the few places of interest already, we now have to travel to Dubai and Al Ain," he added.

Other residents said they missed one-time landmarks like the Corniche's iconic Volcano Fountain.

"I clearly remember the fountain which we visited on weekends, and I miss going there. I also remember spending afternoons perusing the stamp and coin collections at the Qasr Al Hosn," said O. Yasmin, 22, another resident from Bangladesh who had lived in the capital as a child.

When contacted, Lawrence Franklin, director of strategy and policy at the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), said that the capital also had other sites rich in heritage.

"In truth, these can include more humble centres of commerce or trade activity such as the fish market at Mina Zayed and Shaikh Zayed Bridge. In addition, a variety of other architectural landmarks are being developed at present in the Saadiyat Island's Cultural District, including the Zayed National Museum that will chronicle the life and times of Shaikh Zayed," Franklin said.

In addition to efforts by the ADACH and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, authorities have also called upon the private sector to assist in the preservation of historic sites.

Must-see! List of heritage sites

- Source: ADACH and ADTA