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Cultural Sustainability and Identity: The Case of Kuwait

By Yasser Mahgoub.

Published by The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability

This paper investigates the relationship between sustainability and the expression of cultural identity in architecture. It argues that the expression of identity in architecture observed in many countries is an attempt to create architecture that sustains and supports the continuity of cultural and social values. An understanding of this phenomenon is required in order to comprehend its impact on the cultural sustainability of the built environment. Architecture in Kuwait has passed through dramatic changes during the second half of the 20th century as a result of rapid planning and development. This paper examines how identity is being expressed in architecture in the context of Kuwait as an attempt to create a more culturally sustainable environment. The aim of this study was to compare the views of the architects and non-architects regarding the relationship between architecture and cultural identity. The research included a survey of the views of practicing architects in Kuwait using standardized questionnaire and focused interviews and another survey was conducted using a more visual standardized questionnaire to understand the views of non-architects. The comparative analysis of data revealed several differences and commonalities between architects and non-architects views. The study is useful for practitioners and critics to understand the current trend towards achieving cultural identity in contemporary architecture and its impact on the cultural sustainability of the built environment in Kuwait and other Gulf countries.

The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Volume 3, Issue 1, pp.137-144. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 742.882KB).

Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

Assistant Professor of Architecture, Deparment of Architecture, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait, KUWAIT