Abu Dhabi: 60 Buildings Identified as Modern Heritage Sites
In a significant step towards preserving the cultural and historical essence of the emirate, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has honoured a selection of modern heritage sites across Abu Dhabi with honorary plaques.
This initiative, part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the emirate’s urban heritage, was announced in 2023 and aims to highlight the cultural and historical significance of these landmarks.
Modern heritage sites
The first set of modern heritage sites, now under immediate and unconditional protection, was officially registered by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
The unveiling of the Modern Heritage Building Plaque programme marks a pivotal moment in acknowledging the importance of these sites to the community and the responsibility shared in ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The initiative is a key element of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Modern Heritage Conservation Initiative, which has identified over 60 modern heritage sites across the emirate for conservation.
The recognition ceremony, hosted at the iconic Cultural Foundation, was graced by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak and Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, along with dignitaries from various government departments and owners of both private and public modern heritage sites.
Among the first to be adorned with the commemorative plaque is the Cultural Foundation, a landmark registered in Abu Dhabi’s Public Register for its cultural significance.
The plaques will adorn various types of structures, including hospitals, theaters, schools, mosques, parks, hotels, markets, and commercial buildings, acknowledging their role in the emirate’s cultural heritage.
Following the ceremony, DCT Abu Dhabi remains committed to ongoing efforts in surveying Abu Dhabi’s built environment to identify additional modern heritage sites for formal registration and conservation, thereby preserving the rich cultural legacy of the emirate.
