This study investigates the tourism-oriented heritage districts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and explores a new approach to fostering heritage tourism. This is envisaged through conducting a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to detect the characteristics of the tourism-oriented heritage districts from the residents and tourists. The systematic evaluation of opinions is based on indicators developed by UNESCO and ICOMOS international principles. According to the survey results, it is found that Dubai’s approach was successful at reuniting people with their history via modern materials in the restoration works. This has preserved the heritage value and increased their culture and national identity. The social goal to reconnect residents to their cultural history has been realized despite the inconsistencies compared to the specification of the World Heritage Convention, which requires technical authenticity and integrity. People perceived the identities of tourism-oriented heritage districts in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman differently. Based on the POE survey, the Shindagha area and Al Fahidi Historical Area in Dubai were perceived as traditional destinations for tourist attractions. The Heart of Sharjah area was perceived as cultural and educational tourism, and the Ajman Heritage District area was perceived as community tourism.

Presence of the past" is one of the basic principles of postmodern architecture and has been interpreted in many ways. A multitude of architects turned towards the past and found their references in heritage elements. While some inspired ideas from historic architecture, others copied or re-used elements and vocabulary from heritage architecture. This trend started as a response to the principles of the modern movement and international style which dominated for decades. Post the discovery of oil in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the need to express globalization and modernization, considered as indicators of prosperity and development, was expressed in the construction of high-rises and towers made of glass. This radical change in the architecture of the built environment was far removed from the architectural heritage of the country, resulting in the loss of the value of a sense of place. As the value of heritage and culture has gained traction globally, there is now a growing trend calling for architecture that reflects a localized, unique identity of place. Architects in response have started to borrow and copy elements from historical styles, at times regional and at times from different historical periods and cultures. This trend can also be observed all over the UAE and might be referred to as the "Nationalization" of architecture. It is common sight to now see characteristic features and elements of traditional Emirati architecture copied and duplicated in various new buildings by purely "re-using" forms irrespective of different functional uses. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the visible transformation in the use of traditional, functional elements of building heritage as visual, symbolic elements of culture and identity in new buildings. The paper also elaborates on how the most dominant symbol of Emirati heritage and identity, the Barjeel (pl. Barajeel) or wind catchers, can be conspicuously seen not only in architecture but also in various other contexts.

The Malay settlement at Kota Bharu is at the brink of disappearance. This paper employed mixed method indulging into the subject of the study. The finding illustrates the withering of Malay community along with the cultural transformation generated by development. The extent of this paper also reveals the life, essence, hopes and aspirations of the Malays in the process of urbanization. It is posited that the process of urbanization also tested the survival of the Malays, and one day the existence of the Malays may be the object of "museumification" in their own country. Keywords:  Kota Bharu; Malay settlement; Malay identity; urbanization eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3203

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