Regional Architecture and Identity in the Age of Globalization CSAAR 2007 The International Conference of The Center for the Study of Architecture in the Arab Region In Collaboration with National School of Architecture and Urbanism Tunis, Tunisia, 13-15 November, 2006 This paper argues that the world regions, according to their traditional definitions as isolated distinctive entities, do not exist any more. Globalization has created “a virtual region” that is influencing the life of the individual more than the physical geographic regions. This paper investigates how the process of globalization has taken place in the Arabian Gulf region since the middle of the 20th century and its impact on the formation of contemporary built environment identity. It traces the origins of globalization and investigates its current “tides” at the beginning of the 21st century.

1. Session 2A: Architecture of the South: Colonial & Post Colonial Impacts Impact of Globalization On The Built-Environment Identity In The Arabian Gulf Region Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Department of Architecture Kuwait University, Kuwait Regional Architecture and Identity in the Age of Globalization CSAAR 2007 The International Conference of The Center for the Study of Architecture in the Arab Region In Collaboration with National School of Architecture and Urbanism Tunis, Tunisia, 13-15 November, 2006

10. The Pre-Oil Ear Before 1950

12. The First Wave 1950 to 1973

18. The Second Wave 1973 to 1990

25. Kuwait Towers By: Reima Pietila

26. Kuwait National Assembly By: Jorn Utzon

27. Kuwait International Airport By: Kenzo Tange

28. Kuwait Central Bank By: Arne Jacobsen

29. Banks Complex By: SOM

31. The Third Wave 1991 to 2001 Post-Modernism

33. Down Town View

34. Souq Sharq

35. The Scientific Center

36. Salmiya Palace

37. Salmiya Palace

38. Al Zumuruda at Al Bidaa

39. ” The Spanish Villas” at Jabriyah

40. ” Le Notre” Gulf Road

41. Fourth Wave The 3 rd Millennium Contemporary Globalization

43. Hard Rock Cafe

44. Hard Rock Cafe

45. Hard Rock Cafe

46. Diabetes Hospital

47. Burj Al Hamam

48. Downtown Environment

49. Downtown Towers

50. Downtown Towers

51. Downtown Towers

52. The Future

53. 360 ° Shopping Center

54. The Heritage Village, Revival of Past Memories A romantic attempt to “rebuild that past” in the form of a “traditional village” is currently under construction.

55. Future Downtown Towers

56. The Silk City At the center of the city stands Burj Mubarak Al Kabir, “the Tower of a Thousand and One Nights ” as a symbol that stands as an icon for the world to know.

57. The Silk City

59. Conclusions

60. Downtown Towers

61. Clash of Styles

62. Clash of Styles

63. Clash of Styles

64. Salmiya Palace: Althahir Wa Albatin

65. Global and Local Building Types

71. Thank You