Globalization and Architecture: The case of Kuwait

THE 17th IAPS CONFERENCE 24 – 27TH JULY 2002 GALICIA, SPAIN Culture, Quality of Life & Globalization: Problems and Challenges for the New Millennium

Globalization and Architecture: The case of Kuwait Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Department of Architecture, College of Engineering & Petroleum Kuwait University

Introduction This paper discusses the impact of globalization on architecture and the tension between the forces of globalization and localization as exemplified in the case of Kuwait.

It argues that globalization has been active in the countries of the Gulf area since the middle of the 20th century when they witnessed rapid development and change and that the co-existence of globalization and localization processes is more evident and magnified than in other parts of the world.

Theory & Hypothesis It is an attempt to test the theory put forward by Rapoport that: “During cultural changes "certain elements (peripheral) are given up not only willingly but eagerly for new ones, but that others (core) are retained until the latter end.� (Rapoport, 1989)

The main hypothesis of this paper is that the forces and tensions of globalization and localization are not new and that their impact is evident in the Gulf countries due to the unique circumstances that they have went through during the second half of the 20th century.

Method and Approach This paper analyzes examples from Kuwaiti architecture during different periods of history.

It utilizes the approach suggested by Rapoport's by focusing on "core and peripheral aspects of culture and built environment in terms of continuity, change, and value."

PERIPHERAL

CORE

Aspects of Globalization

Social

Economic

GLOBALIZATION Political

Cultural

Technological

Paradigms of Globalization

Old Paradigm "the Black Hole"

New Paradigm The shifting center

Worries and Fears of Globalization: The Negative view 

Globalization is viewed by some as "a new form of colonialism and occupation" promoting cultural and social superiority and domination.

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Economic superiority allowing 2/3 of the world wealth to go to only 1/3 of the world population while 1/3 of the world wealth is gong to 2/3 of the world population increasing the "gap" between poor and rich countries.

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Many fear of the loss of identity and privacy; in general, fear of the unknown

Assurances of Globalization: The Positive View ď Ž

The other group points to the advantages of globalization and argue that superiority and domination worries are exaggerated and that there is no threat to sacred beliefs.

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They predict that more human rights and democracy penetrating the traditional boundaries of countries and that the individual will gain new rights outside his own country.

Background ď Ž ď Ž

Throughout its short modern history Kuwait was influenced by external forces of global change.

Started by its first planning in 1950, Kuwait went through a rapid process of modernization and cultural change.

Map of the Gulf region

Map of Kuwait

The case of Kuwait Kuwait shares the experience of many cities of Third World countries around the world that include visual attributes of familiar Western models as: 1. The Central Business District

The case of Kuwait 2. The air-conditioned office towers

The case of Kuwait 3. Fast-food franchises

The case of Kuwait 4. The shopping centers selling the same consumer products

The case of Kuwait 5. The highways spreading out into the suburbs

The case of Kuwait 6. The suburbs themselves, with their 'Dallas'-inspired mixture of neo-classical and Spanish-style villas

The case of Kuwait ď Ž

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While all these attributes can be found in Kuwait, yet, unlike its Southeast Asians counterparts, Kuwait was not exposed to layers of imported cultures. It was mostly isolated from external influences until the discovery of oil during the 1940's.

The discovery of oil during the 20th century and the rapid modernization produced by its wealth attracted global economic trends towards the Gulf countries. Throughout its short modern history Kuwait was influenced by external forces of global change. Kuwait went through a rapid process of modernization and cultural change started by its first planning in 1950.

Traditional architecture in Kuwait before 1950

Traditional architecture in Kuwait before 1950 ď Ž

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Kuwait went through a rapid process of modernization and cultural change started by its first planning in 1950.

The use of traditional local materials and techniques, which are often considered archaic and obsolete, was abandoned in favor of modern imported material and construction techniques

Demolition of the old walls in 1957

The development of Kuwait city planning

Before 1950

1952

1967

1970

1977

1994

Traditional vs. Modern Neighborhoods

Traditional neighborhood

Modern neighborhood

The new styles of architecture

The new styles of architecture entered the Gulf area after the discovery of oil through two venues (Ibrahim, 1985): 1. The first venue was large projects of monumental architecture that were designed and constructed by Western architects without any economic or technical limitations in designing these projects.

2. The second venue was domestic architecture built by individuals in the form of private houses or apartment buildings. This was mostly designed and constructed by local or Arab architects who were influenced by economic, cultural and social requirements of the owner who usually imposed his views on the architect.

Public Buildings

Banks' Complex by SOM

Kuwait Parliament building by John Utzon

Central Plaza by John Seller

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce by HLW

Domestic Architecture

1960’s style

1970’s Style

1980’s style

1990’s style

The Emerging Style of Architecture

The Emerging Style of Architecture

The Emerging Style of Architecture

The Emerging Style of Architecture

The Emerging Style of Architecture

Core/peripheral aspects of culture and the built environment in Kuwait ď Ž

Rapoport have distinguished between the core of a culture and its periphery, particularly in conditions of rapid cultural change.

PERIPHERAL

ď Ž

CORE

The case of Kuwait supports the theory put forward

by Rapoport that certain elements (peripheral) are given up not only willingly but eagerly for new ones, but that others (core) are retained until the latter end.

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture Saleh Al Mutawa identified a number of elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture that included: The courtyard: a requirement for privacy and climate

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The Liwan: passage surrounding courtyard used for sitting and connection between rooms

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The vestibule: bent house entrance which was a requirement for privacy and sand storms (touz) climate

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The Mastaba: outdoor bench which was a requirement for socialization between men.

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The high roof parapet: concealing the roof which is used for sleeping during summer.

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The Merzam : roof gutter for rain The Jandal : exposed wooden roof structure beams imported from India due to scarcity of wood in the region

The Mindah: supporting pillars around the courtyard

Elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture The use of teakwood for parapets, door, and windows and the especially decorated building corners and parapets

Core elements of Kuwaiti architecture •There are few elements of culture and the built environment that can be considered "core elements" according to Rapoport's model.

Traditional Contemporary Culture Built Environment

•On the other hand, many elements "are given up not only willingly but eagerly for new ones."

Core

Peripheral

Core elements of Kuwaiti architecture • Aldiwaniah: The traditional social gathering of men that used to take place on the mastaba in font of the houses is now taking place in rooms attached to the houses.

Core elements of Kuwaiti architecture • The custom of separating men and women, and its privacy requirements, has continued in many elements of the built environment; mosques, diwania, and wedding halls.

Wedding halls

Core elements of Kuwaiti architecture • Alsabeel, a source of drinking water provided by the owner of the house for the public, continued to exist in new forms.

The offering of drinking water to the passersby is a traditional custom act of blessing and good deeds.

Peripheral elements of Kuwaiti architecture •Alfareej, or the traditional narrow street between the houses, has disappeared giving way to a more impersonal vehicular streets. It is unlikely that this feature of the built environment have disappeared "willingly", rather it had disappeared due to the application of modern planning schemes during the fifties.

Peripheral elements of Kuwaiti architecture •The traditional courtyard has also disappeared from the center of most new houses built before the 1990's due to the adoption of new building regulations of setbacks, floor area ratio, maximum height and other building features.

Peripheral elements of Kuwaiti architecture

Modern house design

Traditional house design

Peripheral elements of Kuwaiti architecture •The traditional construction materials were replaced by modern materials such as concrete, brick and glass that are considered stronger and more durable. They also convey image of prosperity and modernization.

Conclusions The clash of styles that exists in the built environment is a product of an uncontrolled globalization process that started at the middle of the 20th century.

Conclusions A dichotomy between cultural forces is shaping the built environment, i.e. Modern-Traditional, Islamic-Western, Local-International, etc.

Conclusions While some architects employ the international styles of architecture in order to integrate the local architecture into global cultural trends, others try to revive the traditional architectural style to enforce the local identity and heritage.

Venues for Action

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While there are still many lessons to be learnt from studying the response of different cultures to globalization, there are several venues for action to start with: Building codes and regulations Lessons from the traditional architecture Municipality committees.

Architectural education Professional practice: Foster public awareness Sustainable architecture Regional Architecture

Conclusions ď Ž

The impact of globalization on culture is evident all over the world. While some view it as a "problem" others perceive it as a "challenge" towards improving the quality of life.

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There should be active and positive participation from all cultures in order to shape the world in the "New Millennium" in a way that satisfies all cultures instead of, " walling themselves up in their own national cocoons and isolating themselves from the winds of change blowing over the surface of the globe." (Madison, 1998)

Conclusions ď Ž

The main "challenge" is to stop viewing globalization as a "problem" and view it as another phase in the human development that requires positive and active participation from all of us.

Thank you.