Law to protect national historic sites coming soon

Dubai: The UAE will soon introduce a conservation and protection law for historic and archaeological sites, said Rashad Mohammad Bukhash, director of the General Project Department, Dubai Municipality.

"Once enforced, private owners of heritage buildings cannot demolish them without prior permission from the Ministry of Culture. All buildings in the UAE that were built before 1960 fall under the heritage and historic category," Bukhash said.

He was speaking to Gulf News at a press conference held to announce the second International Conference and Exhibition titled Architectural Conservation - Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century, to take place in February.

The three-day conference will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance and Industry and Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

"The law is ready and is expected to be implemented in two months by the Ministry of Culture. In Dubai, we ensure that heritage buildings owned privately are not demolished," Bukhash said.

Owners of old building will be compensated or paid to restore it, Bukhash said.