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August 19, 2025

The Gulf region’s new skyscrapers and their impact on the identity of Arabic architecture

Key Points

Skyscrapers significantly reshape architectural identity in the Gulf region, revealing cultural tensions and economic ambitions.
Economic ambitions clash with cultural identity, as modern glass towers contrast sharply with traditional elements like wind towers.
This research uses historical analysis across three architectural phases to illustrate the transformation of Gulf architecture.
Gulf Vision 2030 initiatives aim to reconcile modernity with authentic cultural identity, signaling a potential revival of traditional elements.

Abstract

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.

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