Title

Author(s)

Irene Pasina

Affiliation

College of Design, Academy of Visual Arts, University of the Arts Sharjah

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/DCUH6942

Keywords

Adaptive Reuse; Adaptive Authenticity; Performative Reuse

PP

724-730

How to Cite

Pasina, Irene. “Reviving Heritage for a Resilient Urban Future The Heart of Sharjah Project in the UAE.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 724–730. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

The Heart of Sharjah project exemplifies an integrative approach to adaptive reuse in heritage urbanism, where sensitive architectural strategies and community engagement converge to transform historic structures. As the largest heritage revitalization initiative in the Gulf region, this multi-phase project harmonizes contemporary design with traditional urban fabric to preserve cultural significance while accommodating modern functions. Architectural interventions prioritize continuity, embracing the concept of historical layering while challenging the idea of “authenticity”. Vernacular elements like wind-towers and courtyards are restored, while a new minimalistic intervention echoes Emirati heritage forms, maintaining the footprint of the old town’s urban fabric. Equally central is community involvement of local stakeholders and cultural institutions that activate the restored district through museums, cultural venues, and art spaces. The Sharjah Art Foundation’s galleries, for example, repurpose historic houses for contemporary exhibitions, reanimating the area’s socio-cultural life. This collaborative process fosters social inclusivity by opening heritage places to innovation and new possibilities for cultural, social, environmental, and economic sustainability. It also embodies sustainable urban development, conserving built heritage and its embodied energy while revitalizing the city core to avert disuse and sprawl, and providing an economic catalyst through heritage tourism. The Heart of Sharjah case demonstrates how adaptive reuse can build resilient, inclusive urban environments by layering past and present: it serves as a model for blending modern functionality with historical integrity, offering insights into designing future cities that honor and incorporate their heritage.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.