Assessing urban heritage conservation practices in the UAE: The case studies of Heart of Sharjah and Khor Dubai

Urban heritage conservation is pivotal for preserving cultural connections, fostering a sense of place, and ensuring sustainable city development. This study delves into the context of Sharjah and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where rapid modernization has disrupted traditional architecture and historic urban centers, resulting in sub-crises such as urban decay, degraded social relations, and economic decline in traditional markets. Efforts to restore, reconstruct, and rehabilitate built heritage have emerged. However, there is a knowledge gap in understanding their effectiveness and assessing their quality on architectural and urban levels. The research addresses three primary questions: What are the existing practices in The Heart Sharjah and Khor Dubai for conserving their urban and architectural heritage? Do these practices effectively preserve heritage values while adhering to International Charters, and what are their strengths and weaknesses compared to regional examples? Lastly, how can these practices be enhanced? In answering these questions, qualitative and case study methods are employed. Literature review, visual data analysis, historical maps, and on-site observations are used to explore the current state of urban heritage in Sharjah and Dubai. The findings reveal challenges in preserving design authenticity, cultural significance, original uses, and adherence to principles like historical continuity. The study offers numerous recommendations to address these challenges such as focusing on authenticity, establishing connected and walkable urban heritage sites surrounded by buffer zones, and integrating residential presence. This research contributes not only to the post-crisis reconstruction field by discussing the rebuilding of heritage areas after crises but also to the heritage conservation field, as it validates International Guidelines and global conservation methods. Future studies could encompass broader assessments of built heritage, delve deeper into public perception and participation, or examine the resilience of the UAE's restored heritage and its alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).