This research examines the radical transformations in Gulf architecture from the pre-oil era to the modern age, focusing on the impact of skyscrapers on shaping the region's architectural identity. It highlights three main phases: traditional architecture characterized by wind towers and inner courtyards; the transitional period 1970-1990 that witnessed attempts to preserve identity while introducing modern materials; and the phase of architectural globalization dominated by glass towers. The study reveals a stark contradiction between economic ambitions and cultural identity. In contrast, a modern trend emerges in Gulf Vision 2030 initiatives to revive identity through various projects, raising questions about the possibility of reconciling modernity with authenticity.
Abbara et al. (Tue,) studied this question.