Heart of Sharjah is a cultural heritage project aimed at preserving and restoring the old city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and restoring it to its 1950s status. A five-phase project intended to be completed by 2025, the project is undertaken by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the Sharjah Museum Department, and the Sharjah Art Foundation. [1] Nominated as a candidate for the UNESCO Heritage Site. With a focus on reviving some of Sharjah’s most iconic historical sites, the Heart of Sharjah project is one of Sharjah’s most important and important developments to date. Read more to find out more about this initiative undertaken by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
Project
In 1998, Sharjah was named the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Arab World. It was a well-deserved honor and was gained by accepting the vision and intentions of the emirate today. Sharjah preserves its history by incorporating traditional elements into all stages of modern development. As part of this vision, Heart of Sharjah represents a dedicated effort to revitalize some of the city’s historical sites. Although the project is still under construction, it is already playing annual events. It could also be one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the UAE soon as it is already on the shortlist.
Expected to be completed by 2025, Heart of Sharjah is one of the region’s largest heritage projects and is committed to restoring the area to its former glory in the 1950s. The project consists of five separate phases and has been the product of a partnership between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, the Sharjah Museum Department and the Sharjah Art Foundation. “ The area has several historic buildings, including the administrator’s residence and the preserved souq. It is also worth mentioning that this area was home to the first emirate schools. Its historical significance can also be seen in the narrow streets, narrow streets, and old houses of former settlers. Apart from the Emirates Handicraft Center, the project also has many historical sites in Sharjah, such as the Mleiha Archaeological site.
SOUQ AL SHANASIYAH
Souq Al Shanasiyah is a historic souq located on Corniche Street. Archaeological excavations between Corniche and Al Hisn Fort, made during the early stages of this historic project, have uncovered the old foundation of the souq. The ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, then issued orders to rebuild the new market on the old foundations – thus in line with Shurooq’s vision for economic and tourism development. Souq Al Shanasiyah is one of the oldest and most active souqs in the region. The site retains the name of the former souq, a name derived from the Shana region, which was the home of merchants who used to visit.
A heritage site
The 35,000-square-foot project is a major heritage site in the Persian Gulf region and focuses on the restoration of the old Sharjah souq region. The first phases of the project involved the restoration of Al Hisn Sharjah (Sharjah Fort), the heavily demolished 1980s, Souq Al Arsah, and the 5,872 square meters Souq Shanasiyah. [4] The heart of Sharjah includes souqs and important merchant houses including Bait Al Naboodah, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, and the Al Eslah School. The almost complete demolition of the Sharjah fortress, originally built in 1820 by the former Sharjah emperor, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, took place in January 1970. Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi wished to erase all traces of Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the former emperor and was banned only ending the work by the return of his frightened brother, Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, to his studies in Egypt. Only one tower remains, but the Sultan, who would rule as Shembe of Sharjah in January 1972, retained much of the remains and faithfully restored the fort [6] to the works that began in January 1996 and was completed in April 1997. This work became part of the first phase of rebuilding old socks and houses in the city center. old Sharjah.
Al Bait Hotel
The current phase of the project focuses on $ 53.5 million, the 53-room Al Bait Hotel, a five-star construction hotel surrounding four luxury homes, including the Bait Ibrahim Mohammed Al Midfa and majlis, which is intended to launch in December 2018. The hotel is owned by -GMM Hotels, known for its hotel type Ched. The houses are traditionally constructed, one story with coral and gypsum walls and a teak and barasti (palm frond) roof. The hotel was first announced in 2013 and was scheduled to be completed in 2015. The Heart of Sharjah project includes restaurants, retail outlets, art galleries, theme markets, archeological sites, museums, playgrounds and commercial offices. Reconstruction includes the reconstruction and reconstruction of historic buildings for various uses and the construction of new buildings. Part of the project will include the demolition of 1970s buildings constructed by Sharjah’s ‘Ban Street Street’, designed by Spanish architects Tecnica y Proyectos (TYPSA).
UNESCO bid
Sharjah’s 2018 application for UNESCO Heritage Heritage, under the heading ‘Sharjah, Gateway to the Trucial States includes the Heart of Sharjah; Sharjah Fort; former Truck Oman Scouts camp in Mirgab; Al Mahatta Fort, the first Arab airport in the Persian Gulf; David Fort and Oasis; the coastal town of Khor Fakkan; ; the oasis and settlement of Wadi Helo and Fili Fort, following the Heart of Sharjah theme of the return to royalty and natural life of the 1950s. The UNESCO state competition has been discussed since 2014.
