Civic body to restore old buildings

The Historic Buildings Section at Dubai Municipality will undertake 65 renovation projects during this year at a total cost of Dh29 million, as part of the civic body's efforts to conserve the emirate's rich heritage for the future generation.

Eng. Abdul Rahman Al Sharid, Director of the General Projects Department, said: "Of the total projects being carried out this year, 14 are new ones. Work on the remaining projects began last year and will be completed this year."

He said the new restoration projects include Building No. 47 in Al Bastakiya, the western tower and adjoining compound close to the Dubai Wall, the facade of the Bur Dubai old souq and heritage restaurant, and the Sheikh Hashar Al Maktoum House in Shindagha. The section will also conduct an architectural survey in Bur Dubai.

"Other renovation projects include several modification works to existing buildings in Al Bastakiya such as Building No. 96, Building 71 which is used as a Coin Museum now, renovation of Building No. 1359 (located at the Bur Dubai Old Souq), renovation of the Public Library, Carpets Market, Traditional Market, Traditional Clinic and the Popular Spices Building," said Al Sharid.

He said the section has already completed this year renovation of Building No. 41 in Al Bastakiya and it is ready for leasing now.

Besides, renovation is underway at Building No. 21 in Al Ras (house of Mattar bin Misbah Al Hai), Building No. 84 in Al Ras (Bin Gharib House), in addition to several other heritage landmarks. All these projects are expected to be completed by end-2003.

The new projects taken up for this year, also include a traditional coffeehouse in Al Mamzar Park, Murabbaat Al Sabkha in Deira and furnishing of the Dubai Municipality Museum.

Al Sharid said the section completed in 2002 some 14 renovation projects including Buildings No. 67 and 111, Building No. 43 which is now used as the headquarters of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Building No. 71 (Coin Museum), Building No. 15 and Building No .41 which is now used as a gift shop for traditional items.

Restoration was also carried out in Building No. 43 in Shindagha, besides maintenance of the facades of Bur Dubai Old Souq, Building No. 207 and 177 in Al Ras, Murabbat Umm Rayool, traditional wells in Dubai, and Al Bidiya Mosque and traditional towers in Fujairah.

The section also printed a tourist map of Dubai showing major historic buildings of the emirate.