Revitalisation of urban spaces by women architects: enhancing cultural heritage in the gulf region
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to demonstrate how women's involvement in urban planning and design in Gulf cities improves urban space's inclusivity and strengthens identity through cultural heritage revitalisation. It also promotes the participation of women in architecture and city-making by showcasing how shaping urban spaces offers local communities opportunities for social interaction and a more inclusive environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper critically compares two case studies in the Gulf region—one in the United Arab Emirates and the other in Bahrain—according to four inclusion criteria: context connection, cultural sensitivity, community engagement and choices of amenities. These inclusion criteria are also applied to an experimental project by women architects' students in Saudi Arabia to inspire the future female architects of the Gulf region. From urban to architectural scales, the project offers a glance into the heritage design by women architects.
Findings
In light of this critical analysis, this study highlights the sensitivity to issues related to the revitalisation of urban areas by women architects. The case studies identified show the role of the female architect in making architecture and linking cultural heritage with contemporary themes. These projects stitch the past with the present and link cultural identity with aspects related to sustainable architecture. Therefore, valorising women's architectural experience is necessary to contribute to sustainable urban development in the Gulf region and beyond.
Originality/value
The present study addresses the importance of the role of women architects in the Gulf region. The research promotes the full and equal participation of women in the architecture and construction of the city to recognise their achievements by increasing their involvement in the work in a more integrated and balanced way.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Author 1: this research is part of the Sustainable Architecture Lab (SA Lab) at Prince Sultan University. The author is grateful to Prince Sultan University for the support of the publication. Author 2: this research is part of the Nature City Lab and UNESCO Chair on Mediterranean Cultural Landscape and Communities of Knowledge research groups at University of Basilicata. Author 3: the author is grateful to PSU Community Services and Continuing Education Center for their support for this publication. The authors thank the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to provide images and authorise them for publication.
Citation
Moscatelli, M., Raffa, A. and Ulusoy Shipstone, A. (2023), "Revitalisation of urban spaces by women architects: enhancing cultural heritage in the gulf region", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-09-2023-0258
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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