The Impact of War on the Meaning of Architecture in Kuwait أثر الحرب على معنى العمارة في الكويت

232

THE IMAPCT OF WAR ON THE MEANING OF
ARCHITECTURE IN KUWAIT

Yasser Mahgoub

Abstract Keywords
The city-state of Kuwait’s oil wealth and strategic War; architecture; people; Kuwait; meaning.
location at the cross roads of political conflicts and
global interests made it always influenced, directly
and indirectly, by wars and armed conflicts in the
region. While Kuwait benefited from the sharp increase
Introduction
of oil prices that followed the 1973 Middle East War to War and architecture have a long and often
finance its modernization and construction plans, its parasitical relationship; the building and unbuilding
architectural landmarks, governmental and private of urban centres, the making of enclaves, walls and
buildings were targets of destruction and vandalism segregated residential and city zones has been
during the Second Gulf War in 1991. The aim of this fundamental to urban form and human experience.
paper is to investigate the impact of the war on The destruction of buildings and cities has therefore
architecture in Kuwait as a literal and figurative target always been an integral part of winning and loosing
of the warfare. It attempts to understand the change wars.
of Kuwaitis attitudes towards architecture as an (Esther Charlesworth)
outcome of the war aggressions. The paper illustrates
that while the war had a physical impact on buildings The aim of this paper is to investigate the
and structures; it also had a perceptual impact on impact of the war on architecture in Kuwait
their meaning as architecture and places. It polarized as a literal and figurative target of the
attitudes towards architecture and its significance; warfare. The case of Kuwait is significant
while traditional architecture gained importance
because it illustrates a unique condition of
and admiration, global styles of architecture became
sudden attack, resulting in the occupation
more trendy and fashionable. The paper illustrates
the impact of war on the physical as well as the
of Kuwait by its neighbor Iraq, followed by a
symbolic aspects of architecture. Another significant quick formation of allied forces that liberated
impact of the war in Kuwait is the interruption of urban Kuwait within few months. This rapid swift of
development plans progress that Kuwait enjoyed conditions affected people’s attitudes towards
during the Seventies. architecture as a representative of social and
cultural meanings. This paper is an attempt to

Copyright © 2007 Archnet-IJAR, Volume 2 - Issue 1 - March 2008 - (232-246)

Archnet-IJAR, International Journal of Architectural Research

The Impact of War on the Meaning of Architecture in Kuwait
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understand the change of people’s attitudes architectural connotations of war — the need
YASSER MAHGOUB

towards architecture as an outcome of the war for defensive shelter, the status of architecture
aggression and its impact of the formation of as a target — there is a breadth of associative
contemporary architecture in Kuwait. meaning between the two enterprises: both are
about the exercise of control over a territory;
War and Architecture both involve strategic considerations of the
The relationship between war and architecture most apt site-specific solutions; both involve the
is a perplexing one. Defense and protection use of symbol, rhetoric, and cultural context.”
against enemy attacks were strong motivations (Vanderbilt, 1983:1).
to build and protect old cities and towns,
meanwhile, war was always a major source of The impact of war on architecture transcends
destruction of buildings and cities. During the its physical presence and impacts its symbolic
20th century, cities in Europe, Asia and Africa meaning as a representation of cultural identity.
were affected by wars aggressions. While The destruction of the NY World Trade Center
medieval cities were protected by defensive towers on the 9th of September 2001 illustrated
walls to protect them from external attacks, the significance of architecture’s symbolic
“more recently, the re-erection of yet another meaning as a target for war aggressions. They
wall in Jerusalem, 25 feet high and part of a 21- were viewed by the attackers as a symbol
mile barricade, is being built to separate Israelis of imperialism domination that needs to be
and Palestinians.” (Charlesworth, 2006:26) destroyed. Architecture was always a target
of war aggressions since the destruction of
Yet, what is destroyed is not only buildings the Library of Alexandria on the hands of the
and structures but architecture and places Romans, because of its materialization of
that carry meaning and significance for its civilizational and cultural achievements that
inhabitants and people. As Bevan put it, are envied and hated by the opposite regime.
“there has always been another war against Paradoxically, wars pave the way for new
architecture going on – the destruction of the construction. The destruction of European cities
cultural artefacts of an enemy people or nation during the Second World War was followed
as a means of dominating, terrorizing, dividing by massive construction efforts to rebuild the
or eradicating it altogether.” (Bevan, 2006:8) devastated cities. Chalesworth investigated
He considers the 1990s torture, mass murders the ways in which design professionals since
and concentration camps of Bosnia in the 1945 have contributed to social stability after
former Yugoslavia, and the razing of mosques, conflicts as illustrated through historical and
the burning of libraries and the sundering of contemporary reconstruction case studies
bridges as equally shocking. This “cultural from France, Germany and the UK after 1945,
cleansing, with architecture as its medium, to the role of designers in the ‘post-9/11’ era.
is a phenomenon that has been barely She asserts that the two central themes for
understood.” (Bevan, 2006:8) For Vanderbilt, any analysis of postwar reconstruction are:
war is the extension of architecture by other the aesthetics of rebuilding and the role of
means. He argues that, “apart from the obvious those who are doing the reconstruction.

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(Charlesworth, 2006). limits agricultural development, consequently,
YASSER MAHGOUB

with the exception of fish; it depends almost
Castells (2004) asserts that the construction entirely on food imports. Political conditions
of identities is fundamental to the dynamic in the region were always a major concern
of societies and that cultural identity is the because of their impact on oil prices and its
process by which social actors build their own supply to the world market.
meaning according to cultural attributes. The
psychological impact of war on people changes
the meanings they associate with architecture
and buildings. Al Sayyad (2001) argues
that many nations are restoring to heritage
preservation, the invention of tradition, and
the rewriting of history as forms of self-definition.
Indeed, the events of the last decade have
created a dramatically altered global order
that requires a new understanding of the role
of tradition and heritage in the making of social
space and the shaping of city form. “Returning
to the roots” is a common reaction of people
to overcome the psychological impact of wars.
This was evident in search of the lost identity in
Kuwaiti architecture after its invasion by Iraq as
will be illustrated by this paper.

Figure 1: Map of Kuwait and its neighboring countries
The Experience of War in Kuwait (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

It is a caprice of history that the lands now occupied Kuwait was influenced by political conflicts in
by Iraq and Kuwait, ravaged by conflict throughout
the region that persisted since the early 1980s
history and now again rent by war, gave birth to the
world’s first civilization. when the Islamic revolution in Iran succeeded
(Harry G. Summers, Jr.) in assuming power. It continued during the
8-year First Gulf War between Iran and Iraq
The impact of war on Kuwait has started with during 1980s that threatened the security of the
the discovery of oil during the 1930s by the whole Gulf region (Figure 1). Kuwait supported
British and its concealment until the end of the Iraqi side financially during the war, yet,
the Second World War in order to divert the a conflict over the adequacy of Kuwait’s
attention of Nazi Germany away from the financial support to Iraq during the war resulted
area. Kuwait contains approximately 100 billion in its invasion by Iraq on the 2nd of August, 1990.
barrels of proven oil reserves, or roughly 8% of According to Vale, “Kuwait struggled to remain
the world’s total oil reserves. Its harsh climate officially neutral in the Iran-Iraq war during the


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1980s. Though it gave an estimated $1 billion a developments during the second half of the 20th
YASSER MAHGOUB

year in financial assistance to its Iraqi neighbors, century as a result of revenues generated from
such aid did not ease perennial border disputes the production and sale of oil. This economic
and other tensions with Iraq, as the Iraqi invasion prosperity permitted the development of its
of Kuwait soon made clear.” (Vale, 1992:211). modernization through its First Master Plan in
1952 that was developed by the British firm
The Iraqi invasion and annexing of Kuwait in Minoprio, Spencely and Macfarlane. The
1990 had a dramatic impact on the whole planners main objectives were to illustrate
region and initiated a collision between the and describe the improvements which they
US and other countries to liberate Kuwait. considered necessary for the development
The Second Gulf War, called “Desert Storm”, of Kuwait in accordance with the highest
was a significant event after the collapse of standards of “modern town planning.” The
the former Soviet Union and an opportunity matters which the consultants regarded as
to prove the US superiority as the sole super being of primary importance in the re-planning
power in the world after the end of the Cold of the town were: (a) the provision of a modern
War. Following the 9/11 events, the US became road system appropriate to the traffic conditions
determined to eliminate the political regime in Kuwait, (b) the location of suitable zones for
of Sadam Hussain in Iraq as a prime source public buildings, industry, commerce, schools,
of aggression and instability in the world. The and other purposes, (c) the choice of zones
Third Gulf War and the troubling situation in for new houses and other buildings needed in
Iraq after the elimination of Sadam’s regime residential areas, both inside and outside the
in 2003 - and lately the Iran nuclear conflict town wall, (d) the selection of sites for parks,
- are overshadowing the urban and economic sports ground, school playing fields and other
development in Kuwait as a prime entry point open spaces, (e) the creation of a beautiful
for the US and allied military forces to Iraq. and dignified town centre, (f) the planting of
trees and shrubs along the principal roads and
at other important points in the town, and (g)
The Impact of the War on Development
the provision of improved main roads linking
Plans Kuwait with the adjoining towns and villages.
(Minoprio et al., 1951).
The story of Kuwait is a rich and long story written
within a very short span of time. It is the story of The Plan called for the demolition of the old
humble, organic desert Arab village that exploded houses inside the old wall to give way for new
into a haughty, over-extended desert Arab metropolis
roads and public buildings. Modern residential
according to a geometric paper-plan, finding
itself today (1964) a full fledged State embroiled in neighbourhoods were to be built outside
scientific planning and world affairs. the old wall. Kuwait utilized its oil wealth to
construct a modern city to replace its old
(Saba George Shiber) traditional settlement. As noted by Kultermann,
“only a few historic monuments have been
Kuwait was influenced by rapid economic preserved in Kuwait as modernization continues


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to rake its toll on the old urban environment half-century of oil-sponsored riches led a tribally
YASSER MAHGOUB

and historic buildings. A few mosques have oriented sheikhdom to confront issues of global
been saved from demolition, and many have scope.” (Vale, 1992: 211).
been replaced with new structures, reflecting
the rapid changes in the recent history of the On the 2nd of August, 1990, the Iraqi regime of
state.” (Kultermann, 1999). Saddam Husain decided to invade Kuwait and
annex it to Iraq. Saddam’s primary justifications
The 1973 Middle East War caused sharp included a charge that the territory of Kuwait
increase of oil prices and income for Kuwait was in fact an Iraqi province, and that
that initiated a second phase development annexation was retaliation for “economic
and modernization. While Kuwait was not warfare” Kuwait had allegedly waged through
directly affected by the war, it benefited from slant drilling into oil supplies that were in
the increase of oil prices that followed the oil disputed territories along the borders between
embargo to finance its construction plans. the two countries. The monarchy was deposed
Kuwait was described during the 1980s as the after annexation, and a new Kuwaiti governor
“Jewel of the Gulf.” It was the main point of was installed by Saddam Hussein. This event
entry of modernization to other Gulf countries; initiated the collaboration of forces from
such as Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. different countries as “allied” forces to liberate
For example, the first school and the first Kuwait in 1991. Authorized by the UN Security
hospital constructed in Dubai were financed by Council, a US-led coalition of 34 nations fought
the Kuwaiti government. Professional workers the Second Gulf War, known as Desert Storm,
from Egypt and other Arab countries used to to reinstate the government of Kuwait. After 6
go through Kuwait before going to other Gulf weeks of fierce fighting in early 1991, Iraq was
countries. It was the leader and idol for these forced to withdraw its troops from Kuwait on
emerging societies and participated in shaping February 26, 1991.
their modernization and development.
During their retreat, the Iraqi Armed Forces
The stock market crash during the 1980s and the practiced a scorched earth policy by setting
decline of oil prices slowed down the process fire to Kuwaiti oil wells. The fires took over nine
of development. The 8-year First Gulf War months to fully extinguish, and the cost of repair
between Iran-Iraq during 1980s threatened the of oil infrastructure exceeded $5,000,000,000.
security of the whole Gulf region and diverted Beside the damage inflicted on oil fields, the
the attention towards security and financial damage was also inflicted on a large variety of
burdens of supporting the Arab neighbor Iraq building types such as; mosques, government
during the war. As Vale put it, “even before it buildings, palaces, public buildings and
was invaded in August 1990 by Iraq, Kuwait markets as well as architecture landmarks.
was known to the world for three things: its oil, Private property, houses, hotels, office
wealth, and its precarious position in the war- buildings, university buildings and schools were
torn Persian/Arabian Gulf. Kuwait’s great wealth also subject to vandalism and destruction. The
has not come about without consequences. A well-known Kuwait Water Towers by Malene


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Bjoern, the National Assembly Building by Jorn during the invasion (Figure 2). Historical and
YASSER MAHGOUB

Utzon, the Sief Palace by Reima Pietilae, and traditional buildings were targeted and
the International Airport by Kenzo Tange were destroyed (Figure 3).
among the buildings damaged and vandalized

Figure 2: Examples of impact of war on landmarks of Kuwait, Left: Seif Palace/Right: Kuwait Airways HQ. (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

Figure 3: Damaged traditional buildings. Left: Old market – Right: Old mosque minaret. (Source: Y. Mahgoub).


238

As early as September 1990, the government The first study was conducted by Garbarino
YASSER MAHGOUB

of Kuwait in exile began discussions with US immediately after the liberation of Kuwait
government regarding post-war plans for on samples of Kuwaiti children and youth.
reconstruction. A task force was established Garbarino discovered that 62% of the children
even before the liberation of Kuwait to develop were exposed to traumatic experiences ranging
plans for the reconstruction of Kuwait. (Al-Bahar, from observing violent events to loss of parents.
1991) By the end of 1990, the Kuwaitis had (Garbarino, 1991). Al-Sarraf studied the impact
begun formulating an infrastructure emergency of the war on the behavior of secondary school
and restoration action plan. This plan envisioned students. He argued that the shock and brutality
a three-phase reconstruction process as follows: of the invasion experience caused emotional
1) The Emergency Relief Phase, 2) The Recovery shock for individuals and groups. He focused
Phase, and 3) The Reconstruction Phase. The on the emotional impact of the invasion on
Emergency Relief Phase was expected to take high school students according to their age,
about three months and was coordinated by educational system, and existence during the
the Kuwait Emergency and Recovery Program invasion, inside or outside Kuwait. The results of
(KERP) offices in Washington and in Kuwait. his study indicated that the invasion experience
In the immediate post-war, KERP was largely caused negative impact on the emotions of
responsible for the assessments of damages high school students. The most significant are:
made in Kuwait during this period. Due to the feeling that the Gulf region became full of
a large number of delays, this has continued dangers, mistrust of Arabs, pessimism regarding
past the originally planned three month period. the future of Kuwait, fear of the unknown and
During The Recovery Phase, sector-by-sector increased anxiety and anger when thinking
damage reports were used to begin bringing about the northern neighbor. (Al-Sarraf, 1994).
Kuwaiti services back to full operation. Damage
assessment reports were also used to initiate Al-Khawaja and Ramadan studied the change
planning for longer term reconstruction based of values of university students before and after
on a number of factors, including projected the invasion. They used the Rokeach Human
demographics of post-war Kuwait, desirability Value test on a sample of university students to
and degree of government involvement in rank 18 values according to their importance.
various sectors, and the financial position of the They compared their results with a similar study
government as the reconstruction phase begins. conducted in 1988 and discovered that 3 values
Finally, The Reconstruction Phase lasted more were affected by the invasion experience;
than five years when renovation of Kuwait’s state security, world peace and religious
infrastructure took place in accordance with salvation. They attributed the change of values
national objectives laid out in preceding phases to the impact of the invasion experience that
changed many of the opinions, behaviors and
beliefs of the Kuwaiti citizens. (Al-Khawaja,
The Impact of the War on the Individual 1994).
Several researches were conducted to study
the impact of the war on the Kuwaiti personality. Al-Damkhi, an eyewitness of the aggressions of


239

the Iraqi regime wrote, “the Kuwaiti citizen was office, car showrooms, and the Complex of
YASSER MAHGOUB

not the only target of the Baghdad government. Ministries building. Monuments or memorials
His homeland was the other. In order to erase dedicated to events in Kuwait’s heritage
Kuwait from the map, the Baathist regime were singled out for demolition. One of the
determined on a plan to destroy and erase all first measures taken by the Iraqi regime was
the features and landmarks that characterized the change of names of places, areas, and
the State of Kuwait. It was a campaign against buildings.
Kuwait that escalated as soon as it became
clear that Kuwaitis remained loyal to their The experience of the war in Kuwait is
leaders.” (Al-Damkhi, 1992) He observed the documented in a special museum called Bait
destruction of prominent landmarks and the Al Kuwait Lila’maal Alwataniyaa (Kuwait House
vandalism of many important buildings such for National Works : Not to Forget Museum of
as the Kuwait Airways Corporation downtown Saddam Hussain Regime Crimes) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Bait Al Kuwait Lila’amaal Alwataniyaa, Kuwait House for National Works: Not To Forget Museum Saddam Hussain
Regime Crimes. (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

The museum occupies an old converted house The invasion experience by the neighboring Arab
and contains documents and photos about all country Iraq and its liberation by international
the crimes inflicted on people, properties and forces, led by the US, had a dramatic impact
culture. It displays models of the invasion and on the Kuwaiti culture. As described by Khattab,
destruction of the city using audio and visual “particularly in the case of Kuwait, reasserting
effects. The museum is visited by school children the local identity has lately become a matter of
and tourists to show them the crimes of the Iraqi great importance especially after Iraq’s claims
regime during the invasion. in Kuwait and the Second Gulf War.” (Khattab,


240

2001:56) This was reflected on the architecture occupation has been estimated at between
YASSER MAHGOUB

being produced in Kuwait by local and Kuwaiti US$25-30 billion. “No new design projects are
architects in their attempts to recognize and expected to be commissioned during this
acknowledge the heritage of traditional Kuwaiti period as emphasis will be directed primarily
architecture during the 1990s. towards the reparation of the damage inflicted
on existing buildings. Although architects could
The invasion experience polarized the opinions participate in some capacity in the rebuilding
of the Kuwaitis regarding its causes and results. efforts, Kuwait’s post-war construction market
While one group attributed this trauma to the will mainly require the professional services of
illusions of Arabism, another group attributed structural surveyors, civil engineers, construction
it to the secular trends away from true managers, and interior as opposed to
Islamic practices. The first side became more architectural designers.” (Al Bahar, 1991).
interested and supportive of Westernization,
Americanization and Globalization and the The impact of wars on architecture and the
second side became more interested in urban environment is evident in the case of
reviving Islamic traditions and customs. This Kuwait. After the liberation of Kuwait by the
was reflected on the architecture produced allied forces led by the US on 26th on February,
during that era especially private villas and 1991, the plans for recovery and reconstruction
public buildings that utilize Islamic architecture were executed. The plans included oil wells
features such as; arches, motifs, and patterns. fire-fighting, clearance of mines, and explosive
Others elected to utilize Western styles in the dumps as well as repair of public buildings and
design of their houses. As described by the infrastructure. This effort created a halt in the
Egyptian philosopher Zaki Nagib Mahmoud, the field of new architectural design and planning.
citizens became either drained of the principles The post-invasion reconstruction requirements
of Arab cultural principles, imitating divergent resulted in a downgraded architectural service
elements from different cultures, or over packs and lack of appreciation of the importance
themselves with society’s cultural elements to of the architectural design discipline. It
block themselves away from the influences of resulted in environment lacking high quality
contemporary civilization. Both cases present architecture and expertise. It also crippled the
alienated individuals unable to integrate and implementation of the Second Master Plan and
interact with the society. (Mahmoud, 1978). delayed the development of a new master
plan for more than a decade.
Architecture in Kuwait after the War The continuation of the Iraqi regime hostilities
Huda Al-Bahar stated that the Gulf conflict has during the nineties did not permit the existence
had a shattering impact on Kuwait’s economy, of a level of security required for rapid
its environment, service infrastructure, industries development. The elimination of Sadam’s
and intellectual, cultural and academic regime in 2003 initiated a more secured
institutions. The cost of reconstructing and optimistic atmosphere for development and
repairing the damage to Kuwait during the construction. In 2002 Kuwait Municipality


241

commissioned the Kuwaiti consultant KEG from Iraq. On the other hand, appreciation
YASSER MAHGOUB

(Kuwait Engineering Group) in association of the determination and persistence of the
with CBP (Colin Buchanan and Partners) to Western countries led by the US, England and
review and update all data and information the allied forces to liberate Kuwait created
to accommodate new plans and projects and a trust in western culture and values. This
develop a new Master Plan until the year 2030. condition led to an extreme polarization in
Several mega-projects are currently being the production of architecture in Kuwait. On
envisioned or planned for in Kuwait, yet they are one hand it reflected the need to construct
not materialized because of long bureaucratic new modern buildings that tie Kuwait with the
procedures required to implement projects. global world and on the other hand buildings
Individuals and critics are expressing their that reflect Kuwait’s history and belonging to a
views in conferences and media regarding the particular place.
unsatisfactory condition of Kuwait’s status in the
region. A recent MEED conference discussed Another important result was the Kuwaiti’s
“what needs to be done to unlock the country’s interest to search for the roots of their political
vast potential and streamlining the project and cultural origins. This was evident in many
approvals process.” (MEED, 2008). researches and publications investigating the
. writings on Kuwait in the oldest possible travelers
Kuwait is living amidst two sharp extremes; one and orientalists writings and the search for
extreme is what is happening in Iraq and the identity in the “few” remaining vernacular and
complete destruction of its human and material traditional buildings. The First Master Plan of
culture, and the other extreme of fast track Kuwait called for the destruction of all the “old”
development of neighboring Gulf countries; buildings to clear the way for the construction
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and of modern road system and public buildings.
Dubai. During the Seventies and Eighties, The Kuwaitis discovered - belatedly - that the
Kuwait was the leading country of the Arab Gulf demolition of traditional buildings was a great
states in, education, health, economics and loss to their cultural continuity. They started
construction development. During the Nineties, several efforts to preserve the remaining old
Kuwait was recovering from the impact of the mosques, Diwanis (guest houses) and old
invasion and liberation trauma. Kuwaitis feel houses. Large vacant lots in the downtown area
the loss of Kuwait’s leadership role in the region are reminders of the destruction of old houses,
due to the rise of other regional economic and streets and gathering areas (Figure 5).
financial centers.
Architects started to search for the lost identity
The shattering impact of the invasion experience in Kuwait architecture that was constructed
by Iraq created a sharp dualism in the Kuwaiti during the seventies. There was an interest in
cultural identity. The “Arabization” slogans developing an authentic Kuwaiti architecture
promoted by Nasser of Egypt during the sixties that stems from architecture found in Kuwait
became very much questionable after being before the discovery of oil. According to Al-
invaded by the neighboring “Arab brothers” Duaij, “new architectural style emerged which


242

is considered a continuation of the postmodern traditional architecture and local identity.” (Al-
YASSER MAHGOUB

architecture that is widely used in these days Duaig, 2004).
emphasizing principles of regionalism, the

Figure 5: Renovated traditional buildings. Left: Al-Sadu House – Right: Diwan Al-Bahar (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

The Kuwaiti Architect Saleh Al Mutawa is an 1997). Today, the work of Saleh Al Mutawa cannot
example of architects who design buildings using be passed unnoticed in the urban landscape of
elements of Kuwaiti traditional architecture in Kuwait (Figure 6). He attempts to localize his
a very direct way. As described by Goodwin, architecture practice by reinterpreting some
“when Saleh began to build he was utterly alone, local architectural elements in a contemporary
like a child who contrives to ﬂy his kite against the language of three-dimensional forms. (Al-
wind. After twelve years, and with forty buildings Mutawa, 1994).
to his credit, the winds have veered.” (Goodwin,


YASSER MAHGOUB 243

Figure 6: Examples of the work of Saleh Al Mutawa – Salmiya Palace Hotel. (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

Architects, such as Muhammad Al Khedr and architecture styles, materials and construction
Farid Abdal use traditional Kuwait architecture systems (Figure 7). Although Saba George
as a source of inspiration for their designs. They Shiber, warned against the loss of identity that
focus on the climatic and social factors that a too-rapid modern transformation would
shaped, and continue to shape, architecture in precipitate (Kultermann, 1999), many Kuwaiti
Kuwait. On the other hand, there are architects architects are alluding to the absence of
who believe that true Kuwaiti architecture identity in architecture and the need to develop
should be a reﬂection of contemporary a Kuwaiti identity in the built environment. A


244

documentary produced by Kuwait Television in Kuwait and points to the importance of
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titled “Kuwaiti Architecture: A Lost Identity” developing a Kuwaiti identity in architecture.
depicts the development of architecture

Figure 7: Examples of projects reflecting opposing architectural identities.
Left: Mies Al-Ghanem Restaurant – Right: Hard Rock Café (Source: Y. Mahgoub).

Conclusion at the cross-roads of conflicts in the Middle East
Money does no make architecture; human effort
– and the World – Kuwait will continue to be
does. affected by regional and global conflicts. While
(Stephen Gardiner) the elimination of Sadam’s regime from Iraq
created as sense of security, the deteriorating
This paper discussed the impact of war security situation in Iraq is over shadowing this
on architecture in Kuwait. It illustrated the sense of security in Kuwait. Furthermore, the
impact of war on the physical as well as the increasing tensions between the US and Iran
symbolic aspects of architecture. During the over Iran’s nuclear activities is pausing another
war, architecture in Kuwait was targeted for serious threat to all countries in the Gulf,
destruction as a representative of an opposed especially Kuwait. In case of any confrontation
ideology and culture. The attack on architecture between the US and Iran the whole region, and
was an attack on cultural and ways of living. especially Kuwait, will be threatened. New plans,
After the war, the reconstruction of architecture such as the construction of the Silk City north of
was an ultimate goal to reinstate territoriality Kuwait, near the Iraqi borders, and the utilization
and legitimacy. A search for “a lost identity” of the rich northern oil fields will continue to be
that vanished as a result of rapid urbanization threatened by the unstable conditions in Iraq.
and development has started. Expressions of The impact of war on architecture in Kuwait is
identity in architecture by different groups of not over, yet.
architects reflect different modes of thinking
of groups in the society. Because of its location


245

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on the State of Kuwait, April 2-6, 1994, The Center of International Press, Gateshead, United Kingdom.
the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies, Kuwait, pp.
15-52. Summers, H. (1991). Desert Storm, Empire Press, New
York USA.
Bevan, R. (2006). The Destruction of Memory:
Architecture at War, Reaktion Books Ltd, London, Vale, L. (1992). Architecture, Power, and National
United Kingdom. Identity,: Yale University Press, New Haven and
London, United Kingdom.
Castells, M. (2004). The Relationship between
Vanderbilt, T. (2003). War as Architecture, The
Globalization and Cultural Identity in the early 21st
Knowledge Circuit, Design Institute, University of
Century, Forum Barcelona, Spain.
Minnesota, MN, USA.


246

------------------------------
YASSER MAHGOUB

Yasser Mahgoub
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub, is a faculty member in the
Department of Architecture, College of Engineering
and Petroleum, Kuwait University since 1999. Received
Doctorate in Architecture degree from The University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA in 1990. Taught at Ain
Shams University, Cairo, Egypt from 1990 to 1993,
at United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE from
1993 to 1999, and at Kuwait University from 1999 to
date. Research interests include social and cultural
aspects of architecture, sustainable architecture,
architectural education and the impact of
globalization on architecture. Teaches architectural
design studios, human environmental factors, and
architectural professional practice courses. Practiced
architecture in Egypt and is currently a consultant for
Kuwait University Vice President for Planning for the
New University City Campus Master Planning. He can
be reached at ymahgoub@yahoo.com


The Impact of War on the Meaning of Architecture in Kuwait أثر الحرب على معنى العمارة في الكويت

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The Impact of War on the Meaning of Architecture in Kuwait أثر الحرب على معنى العمارة في الكويت