The Ministry of Culture has announced the recipients of the inaugural cycle of the Modern Heritage Research Grants Programme, which supports research-based, academic, and creative initiatives that explore, document, and reinterpret the UAE’s modern architectural heritage from the 1960s to the 1980s—an integral part of the Emirati national identity.
The five-year programme, launched with total funding of AED 800,000 in collaboration with Zayed University and MAJRA – National CSR Fund, aims to strengthen the research and creative ecosystem and position the UAE as a leading hub for research, critical thinking, and knowledge production in the field of modern architectural heritage.
Mubarak Al Nakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, highlighted that the programme represents a significant step in raising awareness of the UAE’s modern architectural heritage. He emphasized its role in supporting researchers and creatives dedicated to preserving the memory of modern urban landscapes for future generations. Al Nakhi expressed confidence that the initiative will foster strong local and international knowledge networks while reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a hub for innovation, creativity, and scientific research in this field.
He added that announcing the grant recipients is one of the most tangible outcomes of the National Policy for Preserving the Modern Architectural Heritage of the United Arab Emirates, launched by the Ministry in 2024, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to generating specialised knowledge and expanding rigorous academic documentation of modern architectural heritage.
Professor Michael Allen, Provost of Zayed University, noted that the university’s involvement reflects its commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, critical inquiry, and knowledge production aligned with national priorities. He emphasized that the collaboration supports rigorous academic and creative scholarship, positioning the UAE’s modern architectural heritage as a field of study, pedagogy, and cultural documentation, while providing evidence-based insights to guide heritage preservation, education, and future urban planning.
Mohammad Al Qassim, Director of Strategic Affairs and Sponsorship at MAJRA, stated that the fund’s support aligns with its mission to channel corporate social responsibility resources toward research and cultural initiatives with sustainable impact. He highlighted that documenting modern architectural heritage is essential for preserving national identity and enriching knowledge, stressing that empowering researchers and academic institutions is key to fostering innovation and building an integrated knowledge ecosystem.
The list of grant recipients features diverse projects addressing multiple aspects of modern architectural heritage, including:
- Beyond the Façade by Omar Darwish, examining how UAE architecture responded to cultural, environmental, and social conditions in the late twentieth century.
- Legacy of Precast Concrete by Dr. Bassem Mohammed and Dr. Nahed Chakouf, exploring the evolution of concrete use in modern construction.
- Urban Threads by Charlie Koolhaas, activating Dubai’s mid-twentieth-century architectural memory through fashion design.
- Forms of Intention by Dr. Roberto Fabbri, focusing on the legacy of Iraqi architect Rifat Chadirji.
- Pedagogical Rhythms by Azza Aboualam and Noor Nidal, studying architectural and cultural exchange between Kuwait and the UAE from the 1950s to the 1990s.
- Shared Aspirations by Amina Rejeb, Salma Gharbi, and Emna Touiti, highlighting architectural exchange between Tunisia and the UAE in the latter half of the twentieth century.
- Building the Nation by Dr. Irene Pasina, Dr. Ayman Fathy Ashour, and Dr. Wael Aly Rashdan, exploring the impact of architectural exchange between Kuwait and the UAE on national identity.
Additional supported projects include:
- Mulhaq by Amer Madhoun, studying annex structures in Emirati homes.
- Mapping Modernity by Dr. Khaula Al Kaabi, documenting Abu Dhabi’s modern architectural heritage from 1960 to 1990.
- Streets of Memory by Dr. Dalia Hafiz, focusing on rehabilitating modern heritage neighborhoods in Dubai.
- Everyday Modernity by Gayathri Rajendran, documenting the cultural and urban heritage of Dubai’s Al Karama area.
- Modern Emirati Heritage by Dr. Hala Asslan, redefining markets as living heritage.
- Lines in the Sand by Valentina Mircheva, exploring the influence of Bulgarian architects in Abu Dhabi.
- Postal Modernities by Dr. Majdi Faleh, Dr. Ahmad Sukkar, Prof. Thouraya Snoussi, Dr. Omer Jawad, and Dr. Majd Musa, documenting civic heritage linked to collective memory.
- Registers of the Unseen by Ayah Al Khateeb, Rand Tayfour, and Zakia AlAmry, examining layers of urban memory along a single street in Abu Dhabi.
- Features of Local Culture in the Modern Architectural Heritage of the UAE by Sultan Al Hammadi.
Other projects include:
- Ruwais by Rashid Al Mulla and Salem Al Suwaidi, highlighting the role of small cities in the UAE’s industrial history.
- Digital Modern UAE by Serkan Gunay, integrating heritage preservation with innovative digital approaches.
- The Invisible Fabric by Dr. Hadeel Elnaggar, documenting the role of Emirati women in modern urban spaces.
- Material Cartographies by Nuhaila Al Hemeiri, Maryam Bin Bishr, and Salma Hani Ali, exploring evolving architectural patterns.
- Dubai’s Industrial Heritage by Asiya Siddiqi, documenting factories and industrial landmarks in Dubai.
