UAE Launches National Register to Preserve Modern Architectural Heritage

The Ministry of Culture has launched the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage, marking a major step toward documenting and safeguarding the United Arab Emirates’s modern architectural legacy.

The announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of the National Identity Committee, chaired by Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Emirati identity and cultural preservation.

The initiative forms a key pillar of the National Identity Strategy, developed in collaboration with the National Projects Office. It aims to create a comprehensive national framework for preserving cultural heritage, with a particular focus on modern architecture dating from the post-1960s era.

First Phase Highlights Key National Landmarks

In its initial phase, the register includes 10 significant buildings that reflect the evolution of modern architecture in the UAE. Among them are:

• Union House, where the UAE Union Agreement was signed in 1971
• Sheikh Rashid Tower, a symbol of Dubai’s commercial development
• Deira Clocktower, one of the city’s earliest urban landmarks
• Qasr Al Hosn, home to the National Consultative Council
• Cultural Foundation, a long-standing hub for arts and culture

Additional sites include educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and public buildings that represent milestones in urban development, architecture, and social progress.

Criteria and Benefits

Buildings are selected based on seven key criteria, including:

• Historical and national significance
• Architectural and aesthetic value
• Representation of urban development trends
• Innovation and sustainability
• Contribution to national identity and collective memory

Inclusion in the register offers benefits such as official recognition, legal protection, and access to funding and research opportunities, while also supporting cultural tourism.

Strengthening National Identity

The register supports the implementation of the National Policy for the Preservation of Modern Architectural Heritage, approved in 2024, and aligns with the UAE’s vision of embedding national identity into everyday life.

The National Identity Committee will oversee the initiative, coordinating efforts across government entities to ensure a unified approach to preserving and promoting the country’s heritage.

The move underscores the UAE’s commitment to protecting its modern architectural legacy, while fostering a deeper connection between communities and the nation’s evolving cultural landscape.