Reimagining the UAE’s Modern Urban Heritage

The research project of Dr. Dalia Hafiz, Assistant Professor at Ajman University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design, has received support under the first cycle of the Modern Heritage Research Grants Program, advancing research into how the UAE’s modern urban heritage can be documented, preserved and revitalized.

Organized by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Zayed University and implemented in partnership with the National CSR Fund “Majra,” the program supports academic, research and creative projects that document the UAE’s modern architectural heritage and explore new ways of interpreting its cultural and historical significance.

Dr. Hafiz’s project, “Humanizing Urban Heritage: Revitalizing Al-Satwa through Human-Centered Design (Streets of Memory),” is being conducted in collaboration with a Co-Principal Investigator from the University of Bahrain. It focuses on Al-Satwa in Dubai, a neighborhood that reflects important stages in the evolution of the UAE’s urban landscape.

The research will document and analyze Al-Satwa’s urban and architectural heritage while examining how its everyday spaces, buildings and community practices have contributed to the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Through a human-centered design approach, the project will also explore strategies for revitalization that respond to community needs while retaining the character and heritage value of the area.

At the heart of the research is a broader question facing rapidly developing cities: how can urban environments evolve without losing the places, experiences and collective memories that give them their identity?

The project places particular emphasis on neighborhoods developed in the UAE between the 1960s and 1990s, a significant period in the country’s modern architectural and urban development. As many of these areas experience continued transformation, documenting their spatial characteristics and community life can provide valuable insights into how heritage preservation can coexist with future urban development.

The research is expected to produce comprehensive documentation of Al-Satwa’s urban heritage, combining spatial analysis, community insights and design guidelines. These findings aim to inform approaches to revitalizing urban neighborhoods while preserving their cultural and architectural significance.

Beyond Al-Satwa, the project has the potential to contribute to wider academic and professional discussions around modern heritage in the UAE and the region. Its human-centered perspective also highlights the role communities can play in determining what is preserved and how heritage can remain relevant within evolving urban environments.

The project reflects Ajman University’s commitment to research that responds to societal and cultural priorities. By connecting architecture, urban design, heritage and community experience, the research contributes to ongoing efforts to understand and preserve the UAE’s modern built environment while supporting more inclusive, livable and culturally responsive cities.