Dubai: As part of the Emirate’s broader strategic framework to preserve local heritage, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, recently approved the ‘Rehabilitation and Revitalisation of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Strategy’ and the ‘Public Art Strategy’.
The approved strategies are expected to strengthen Dubai’s position as a city at the forefront of shaping the global and regional cultural landscape.
The Crown Prince of Dubai acknowledged that promoting cultural diversity and empowering the cultural and creative sectors, which constitute important segments of the local economy, are key priorities for Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan remarked that these efforts are in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the emirate a global creative economy hub, an incubator for talent and a destination for art and culture enthusiasts.
As part of our comprehensive efforts to preserve our historical assets and enhance their profile locally and globally, we have developed a strategy to rehabilitate and revitalise the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which dates back to the 19th century. We seek to turn it into a leading cultural destination that highlights our nation’s authentic architectural and urban heritage. We also adopted the Public Art Strategy that will contribute to making Dubai a globally unique ‘open art gallery’ that offers distinctive creative and cultural experiences.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum observed.
High Highness also applauded the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, under the leadership of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Authority, for setting up a mechanism to support and attract public art talent from around the world, creating the appropriate environment for public art to flourish, setting governance frameworks, developing policies and legislation to regulate the roles of stakeholders and partners, and creating a strategy for programmes, events and initiatives within the private sector, in addition to the Authority’s pivotal role in marketing and promoting historical places in Dubai.
The Crown Prince of Dubai also used the opportunity to commend the efforts taken by numerous public and private sector partners who have contributed and continue to support the approved strategies that are aligned with the directives of the leadership in addition to participating in public art projects.
A few of the partners who support these approved strategies are;
- Dubai Economy and Tourism
- Dubai Municipality
- Dubai Land Department
- the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
- Roads and Transport Authority and
- Dubai Police.
Apart from sub-partners such as Emirates Airlines, wasl, AMG, Emaar, Dubai Holding, Dubai International Financial Centre, Supporters, Financial Institutions, Art Sponsors and Private Companies along with other stakeholders and the community of art lovers, which includes residents, visitors, students, artists and curators have also contributed significantly to the execution of the approved strategies.
On the occasion, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, expressed her gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed for his support and guidance as well as his profound commitment to developing the cultural and creative sector in Dubai.
Sheikha Latifa remarked that the vibrant growth of the sector in recent years reflects Dubai’s position as a growing global and regional hub of creativity. Her Highness also underlined the importance of the two new strategies that complement the Authority’s roadmap for the growth and transformation of the sector.
Driven by the vision of the leadership, we seek to accelerate the implementation of our strategic plan to make Dubai the capital of the global creative economy. We have established strong links of cooperation with government departments as well as private sector institutions to expedite the realisation of Dubai’s broader goals. We continue to launch new initiatives, projects and programmes to enhance Dubai’s status as a major global focal point of cultural and knowledge-related activity. The level of support provided by the public and private sectors and the broader Dubai community reflects the value placed by all stakeholders on encouraging creativity and preserving our cultural heritage.
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added.
REHABILITATION AND REVITALISATION OF AL FAHIDI HISTORICAL NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY
The strategic plan focused on Al Fahidi are based on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, Priorities related to culture and heritage in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s Strategic Roadmap; and Global Standards for the development of cultural neighbourhoods.
The newly approved strategy will attempt to reposition the neighbourhood as a cultural tourism destination by transforming it into a platform for young people to showcase their creative talent and start-up companies in the cultural sector to showcase their offerings. It also aims to rehabilitate the neighbourhood’s facilities and infrastructure as well as improve its general appearance.
Furthermore, the plan aims to highlight Al Fahidi as a distinctive historical neighbourhood that showcases the nation’s cultural identity and promotes art, culture, creativity, innovation and the UAE’s heritage.
PUBLIC ART STRATEGY
The Strategy for Public Art will strive to encourage new artistic trends, cultural innovation and the new creative movement in the emirate through a unified governance framework. The Strategy, which seeks to contribute to economic growth, is being implemented with the participation of partners from all sectors including the private sector.
Economic Growth by stimulating Cultural Tourism, Creating new opportunities for local investment, Moving the economic wheel for accompanying sectors, and Creating new jobs are some of the key aspect which constitute the Three Pillars of the Public Art Strategy.