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Building Dubai's Future: A Conversation with Architect Ahmed Bukhash

Dubai, globally renowned for its iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Island, has emerged as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that attracts tourists worldwide.

Over the past 80 years, Dubai has witnessed a remarkable transformation. With its noteworthy % GDP growth of 3.5%, the city continues to evolve and expand, providing a unique canvas for innovation and urban development.

To learn more about Dubai's urban development and how climate change is reflected in the current building initiatives, we connected with prominent architect Ahmed Bukhash to gain insights into Dubai's architectural and urban future.

 

Bukhash's portfolio as the Director of Urban Planning at the Dubai Development Authority includes the regulation of prestigious projects like the Burj Khalifa Plots within Business Bay and the masterful Dubai Design District. In addition to his role in the government, Ahmed Bukhash established his own Architectural Firm in 2009 named ARCHDENTITY and was awarded the design of the Good Place pavilion by Expo Live at Expo 2020 Dubai.



Sketch of the Good Place Pavilion by Expo Live by ARCHDENTITY


Ahmed Bukhash at The Good Place. Photo credit: Christophe Viseux/Expo 2020 Dubai Photo via Commercial Interior Design


Rendering of the Good Place Pavilion by Expo Live by ARCHDENTITY


Ahmed, an alumnus of the Wentworth Institute of Technology, holds a master's degree in architecture and design from the Kyoto Institute of Technology. In addition to working in the government and running his design firm, he is a member of the Dubai Future Foundation Experts Program, which collaborates with the government to shape Dubai's Urban growth in the future as a leading city for livability. Ahmed's role focuses on urban and master city planning with a human-centric approach, striving to create spaces that endure for generations.

 

Lana: Ahmed, thank you for joining us. We're excited to learn more about Dubai's past and its vision for the future in real estate, building, and design. Can you share your perspective on the current concerns and trends in Dubai's real estate and urban development?

 

Ahmed: Certainly. Dubai's free-market economy is driving rapid growth, with new communities emerging every few months. Developers are convinced to implement successful commercial models which are safe and risk-averse. I encourage developers in the city to invest more time in monitoring and analyzing completed projects for advancing traditional planning models and adopting new strategies to promote a resilient growth model to confront global challenges. The new planning principles must be future-oriented to anticipate challenges like climate change, pandemics, and natural disasters. To create timeless architecture, we must prioritize it through thorough planning as the key to iconic projects and well-thought-out long-term human needs.

 

Given our challenging climate with rising temperatures, we've revisited historical architectural techniques to adapt- how our ancestors could cool off structures without electricity, catching the breeze and transforming it into a cooling system. Or, through Japanese design principles, where nature is seamlessly integrated into living spaces, to inspire us and create a stronger connection between interior spaces and the external natural environment. We've reimagined building designs to incorporate inside courtyards with gardens, which can be wind corridors, serve as shade-protected areas, and offer privacy. This approach can be scaled for larger projects to ensure a cooling and sustainable urban environment.


 Private Villa design by ARCHDENTITY


Private Villa design by ARCHDENTITY


In terms of urban development, we're making changes to prioritize sustainability and the well-being of our communities. We're reducing car dependency by creating more walkable spaces to protect air quality and increasing public transportation. Also, we plan to encourage transit-oriented developments to propagate and exhibit balanced and interactive mixed uses to create more concentrated density.

We aim to develop walking corridors and innovations to address water and food security, air pollution, and sustainable consumption and production.

 

Lana: Can you share some insights into Dubai's history before the discovery of oil and its rapid development?

 

Ahmed: Before the discovery of oil, Dubai was a key merchant city and played a significant role as a trading port. Anchored by its strategic location between the  Indian, Persian, and African subcontinents, Dubai established itself as a trade hub for pearls, gold, perfume, jewellery, textiles, and other commodities. The transition to oil came after the Japanese invented cultured pearls in the 1900s, which disrupted the natural pearl trade. Dubai then discovered something which brought in unprecedented wealth. Dubai's leadership wisely invested in city infrastructure, building Wind Towers and bringing architectural influences from  India, Africa, and Iran. Courtyards, gardens, and the play of shadows were integral to architectural design, preserving an intelligent sense of privacy and aesthetics.

Today, we take pride in maintaining our historical sites and heritage and like to share it with tourists and new city residents.


Proposal on creating city walkability and encourage public transportation


Lana: Dubai's arid climate presents challenges for green initiatives. How does Dubai plan to integrate public spaces and greenery into its urban landscape?

 

Ahmed: Greening the desert climate is challenging, but we've recognized the need to incorporate practical examples of landscaping design that include dry landscaping principles and domestic plant species usage to utilize less water for irrigation while maintaining a strong visual appeal. We are willing to prioritize functionality over aesthetics, using the shape of buildings to enhance efficiency and resilience. While Dubai may not appear green on Google Maps except in

specific zones, we're working to create functional and sustainable urban spaces.

 


Integration of the city walkways and public spaces to increase city walkability


Lana: In many parts of the world, urban environments play a significant role in mental health. Is mental fitness a consideration in Dubai's urban planning?

 

Ahmed: In Dubai, our culture values family time and work-life balance, allowing many to avoid working after 5 pm. Although we face challenges, such as extreme heat,  Dubai's urban plan takes a proactive approach. Our leadership is committed to making Dubai the best city to live in, addressing congestion, pollution, and housing costs. Dubai's 2040 plan focuses on human-centric design that prioritizes well-being, where the quality of living is a goal firsthand and sustainable urban development to ensure our buildings and communities remain relevant for years to come. Our planning initiatives are to reduce city temperatures by minimizing dust particles in the air, capture carbon emissions, manage rainfall, provide recreational exercise spaces, and preserve local biodiversity.

 

Lana: Dubai has a diverse population from around the world. How does the city preserve its heritage while welcoming people from various cultures?

 

Ahmed: Dubai's diverse demographics have informed our approach to inclusivity. Our Dubai 2040 model aims to create a human-centric, enjoyable environment for locals and foreign residents. We strive to be inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that anyone can fit in easily and see themselves living here full-time. Our approach also considers Dubai's competitive tax environment, making it an attractive place to live.

 

In our conversation with Ahmed, we learned that Dubai has a rich history and is a forward-thinking, resilient urban plan striving to balance its heritage with innovation and human-centric design.

The commitment to inclusive, sustainable design and a resilient urban future is evident. Dubai aims to provide a model for the world, demonstrating overcoming challenges in a way that transforms into opportunities for creating value. This city places people at the forefront of its development, and we look forward to witnessing its continued, exciting growth and transformation.


Written by Lana Alexander.

 



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