A Photoessay By Yasmin Hamad

Abu Dhabi, like other emerging cities in the U.A.E., continues to take large developmental steps towards growing its capital and expanding its urban framework in the long-term. Effectively, local transformations that underscore this scheme have already begun taking place exponentially throughout Abu Dhabi as part of a conducive set of strategic planning guidelines proposed in 2007. Newer commercial, cultural and residential districts have been established since and plots in central city areas were cleared to reduce densities and set up accessible community facilities, public parks and better infrastructure. While these changes appear promising, to Abu Dhabi’s longtime residents, it seems like the city is being compelled to shed the vestiges of structures and spaces intrinsic to its unique urban terroir in order to conform with future development goals.

“Quo Vadis, Abu Dhabi?” catalogs some of the buildings throughout Abu Dhabi that, as a result of this new rhetoric, have become vacant, marked for demolition or a proposed facelift renovation while others survive seemingly unaddressed. Each photoset frames the building fully within its context, giving prominence to details within its façade and how it stands as a part of Abu Dhabi’s routine urban life.

The large mixed-use structures pictured outline the main edges of blocks alongside newer properties within the denser downtown district where their shops and architecture served to anchor their respective neighborhoods and residing communities. Sadly however, stricter building safety regulations, alternative land use plans, increased plot values, ownership laws as well as lack of general upkeep have meant that these buildings, some of which dated as far back as the early 80’s, had to be vacated.

I believe the emergence of newer developments and landmark projects that expand onto the mainland and surrounding islands has shifted the residents’ attention away from the inner city. This change, coupled with the abundance of housing units within the surrounding vicinity, has meant there has not been an immediate rush to tear down some of these buildings. As such, a few have remained with functioning commercial frontages, where they continue to serve the community until they are forced to close their doors before demolition is formally set to begin.

The epigraph of this photo series translates from Latin to “Where are you going, Abu Dhabi?”. It does not aim to directly criticize or lament the changes, but address and reflect on them, hopefully spurring a conversation around the implicit price current re-development efforts have had and will have on the distinct identity and “authentic” makeup of the city moving forward.

Bio

Yasmin Hamad is an Architect and Urban Designer born and raised in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. As she navigates her early career in the urban design field, informed by the knowledge gained from completing her B.Arch at the American University of Sharjah, her awareness of Abu Dhabi has amplified. Trying to take stock and track the changes in the city’s distinctive characteristics, Yasmin has translated her observations and thoughts to images that capture as much of what remains. As a liaison of socio-urban planning ideas, she hopes to approach the transient subject of future urban development in the capital - currently unbiased, tenuously literate, and enthusiastic to explore.

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