Drawing Centrality

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Project supported by the Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform | In progress since June 2020

The following work is an ongoing independent research project that investigates the urban fabric of Dubai, UAE. The concept of ‘centrality’ is chosen as an analytical tool for understanding the demographic, terrestrial and architectural typology conditions of the city and the surrounding environment . The project studies this at multiple scales as a means of tracing the evolution of Dubai. Among speculative investigations and analyses, the research aims to highlight the significance of public space as a fundamental layer of stitching the city to its heritage.The project will be presented in the form of a catalogue, that hopefully initiates a civic re-engagement of the city for many generations to learn from.

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*preliminary collage expressing the interventions of everyday life in the Dubai Creek*

1935 Aerial Dubai

1948 Bur Dubai Grand Mosque

1950 Al Ghubaiba and Al Shindagha

1950 Deira Creekside

Historic images sourced from The National Archives, UAE.