Representation and ideology in postcolonial urban development: the Arabian Gulf

Critical nostalgia: Kuwait urban modernity and Alison and Peter Smithson's Kuwait Urban Study and Mat-Building

“…42 Shiber's tenure at the Department of Public Works lasted until 1964 but his ideas on appropriating tradition for contemporary practice had an impact on planning officials long after that. 43 For example, a slowing down of building activity to re-evaluate the state of city planning took place under his direction. In addition, Shiber appropriated elements from Kuwait's traditional markets for the modern development of Fahad Al-Salem Street, a commercial spine in the heart of Kuwait City.…”

Negotiating the Politics of Exclusion: Georges Candilis, Housing and the Kuwaiti Welfare State

“…Some studies have revealed the extent to which land use policies and social housing laws have contributed to endless sprawl, housing application backlogs, rising property values and to the demise of the urbanization process (Al‐Khaiat, ; Al‐Shalfan, ). Other studies critique the social and political tensions generated by housing policies (Abdulla, ; Al‐Eisa, ; Al‐Zaher, ; Sadik, ; Al‐Ragam, ; Beaugrand, ). Some have pointed towards a causal relationship between state housing and social segregation (Al‐Moosa, ; Longva, ; Al‐Nakib, ).…”

“…In 1968, a committee of international and local urban planners gathered in Kuwait to advise on carrying out Buchanan's long‐term development strategies for the state and his short‐term plans for the city — schemes that had been drawn up between 1968 and 1972 (Al‐Ragam, ; ). This committee acted as an independent body that mediated between Buchanan & Partners and their co‐consultants and a local team comprised of architects and planners from Kuwait's planning departments (Sultan, ).…”

“…A few studies have examined his projects specifically in Kuwait (Al‐Ragam, ; Al‐Nakib, ; Al‐Ragam, ). This article investigates Candilis's lesser‐known projects and expands on the author's previous research on urban modernity through nation building, unsustainable state housing policies based on the single‐family house and citizens' dependency on the state for their housing needs (Al‐Ragam, ).…”

Islamic Architecture in Dubai: Renewal and Contemporaneity

“…Al-Ragam [8] quotes Ellen Jawdat's words, making a sincere point on how the then-fully grown Islamic architecture in the region has been affected: "At a time when traditions and more are in upheaval, the architect, no matter how diligently he seeks to mirror his culture and base his designs on real social patterns, is bound to be aware of conflicts between the traditions of the past and the demand of the rapidly changing present." She further explains that this conflict came in numerous forms which were dictated by the ruling elite, who relied on European building experts dictating their building techniques and planning methods, claiming that the elite reinforced "Eurocentric prejudices" about Arab and Muslim societies which they invaded [8]. This dramatically affected the traditional Muslim built environments.…”