Layers of Meaning and Evolution of Cultural Identity: The Case of Wind Towers in Dubai

Abstract

Place identity is an important constituent of general cultural identity, in that it provides its share of continuity, sustainability, and character to the built environment. The image of cultural heritage is stored knowledge that reflects the identity of a specific culture. In the formation of a place, some features gain identity with the environment. This study aims to explore the evolving image formation of wind towers in Dubai, and how this image is related to the concept of meaning and cultural identity of the place. This study focuses on the process of place identity formation and its relation to the evolving cultural values of society, as well as how it is applied to the changing meaning of cultural heritage objects. Based on the value assessment approach, different examples of wind towers, taken from either traditional houses or contemporary buildings influenced by the local architecture in Dubai, the author attempted to study how the interpretation and meaning of wind towers has evolved through time, thus influencing the cultural identity of Dubai city. This study is based on qualitative research. It concludes that a wind tower, as a cooling device, represents a unique example of an evolving creative process of architectural expression, resulting from the social and cultural complexity of the Persian Gulf in the early twentieth century. They were introduced through commercial exchange, adapted by the mercantile community, and integrated into local cultural systems—thus creating new architectural features and urban character—and reintroduced as a modern symbol of cultural identity for Dubai and the UAE.

The Importance of Architectural Icons of the City of Szczecin for the Transformation of Landscape Identity and Promotion of the City’s Image

“…The creation of elite buildings, detached from their roots and local heritage, and the realities of the inhabitants, will not necessarily lead to the expected benefits and may even polarize society [55]. What is needed are solutions of timeless quality, combining tradition with modernity, and history with the present [56][57][58], which implement the principles of sustainable development. The guarantee of this, and at the same time a good practice, seems to be the selection of iconic projects through architectural competitions, which allows choosing the best solution for a group of professionals [59].…”

Vernacular Houses in the United Arab Emirates, Case Study: Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

“…Wind towers have been used as architectural elements for achieving thermal comfort within buildings throughout history in the Gulf Area. The wind tower is called in the local language Al-Barajeel (Figure 2) (Assi, 2022). The Al-Barajeel is a type of design that is enclosed to allow air into the structure and is open on all four sides to catch the breezes coming from all directions.…”

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“…Wind towers have been used as architectural elements for achieving thermal comfort within buildings throughout history in the Gulf Area. The wind tower is called in the local language Al-Barajeel (Figure 2) (Assi, 2022).…”