Learning from Dubai – In-between Sensationalism and Caricature

Description

Maps, information brochures and newspaper articles regarding cities, infrastructure and rec- reational spaces on the Arab side of the Gulf often present virtual realities that have not yet been built. While the Emirate Dubai (UAE) is very much on top of the race and has already realised a huge part of its landmark architecture and strategic facilities, cities like the Qatari capital Doha – that even advertises “Doha 2030” as a label – still appear to be heavily under construction. In countries like the Sultanate of Oman, the establishment of ultra-luxury tour- ism projects started only recently. On the media level, advancements in this area are enthu- siastically hailed and widely broadcast.
The workshop at the Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO) in Berlin traces phenomena such as the widespread construction of artificial islands (meanwhile also in countries like Kuwait), in- novative infrastructure and prestige buildings (global container ports, free zones, inter-island causeways, metro connections, theme parks etc.). About 40 active participants will analyse and compare activities of this kind and their rhetoric within a theoretically informed framework from the overall perspective of material and symbolic impacts. Although emphasis is put on the Arabian Peninsula, complementary contributions will also examine the eastern coastline of the Gulf as well as Dubai-inspired experiences elsewhere in the Arab world and Africa. The conference aims to encourage a transdisciplinary dialogue between scholars, artists and practitioners from fields such as Islamic Studies, geography, architecture, culture manage- ment, economics, urban studies, history and photography. Parallel to the workshop, a photo and arts exhibitions, a video presentation and presentations of final projects and architectural models for the Gulf region will take place. An urbanistic excursion in Berlin will complement the program.

Period	6 Oct 2010 → 10 Oct 2010
Event title	Under Construction. The Material and Symbolic Meaning of Architecture and Infrastructure in the Gulf Region
Event type	Conference
Organiser	Zentrum Moderner Orient, ZMO
Location	Berlin, GermanyShow on map