Cultural Heritage in the Gulf: Blight or Blessing?

Historic Jeddah, like other Gulf cities, faces a critical dilemma: whether its surviving cultural heritage is a blight hindering progress or a blessing that can catalyze sustainable urban development. Rapid post-independence growth has led to widespread demolition and replacement of historic centers with modern high-rise structures, leaving isolated pockets of heritage in hybrid environments. This study examines three Gulf cities—Old Dubai (UAE), Old Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Old Doha (Qatar)—to explore how cultural heritage can serve as a catalyst for development while maintaining strong ties to the past. It raises pressing questions about the future of these historic centers, advocating for conservation strategies that balance urban growth with the preservation of identity. The research underscores the potential of heritage as both an asset and a setting for appropriate conservation in emerging global environments.

Boussaa, D. (2014). Cultural Heritage in the Gulf: Blight or Blessing? Philipps-Universität Marburg. https://doi.org/10.17192/META.2014.3.2176