Muharraq City (Bahrain) - Essay Example

? My Muharraq (Bahrain) Introduction Generally countries within the Middle East have been known to build their architectural structures based on their cultures and beliefs. The architectural work was always based on traditional beliefs and traditional architectural work. In the resent years, there has been changing need for globalization that has led to dramatic change in social, economic, political and architectural structures as well within the Middle East countries (Frifelt, 2001, p.13). Bahrain along with its cities has not been left out in the drastic changes that are shaping architectural workmanship of the region. These changes have been greatly influenced by; migration of foreigners from different regions who come along with new ideas and new architectural designs, discovery of oil in Middle East which has completely changed the economical statues of the region, expatriate of Europeans who also brought with them their habits and their social way of life that in away affected their way of building houses as well. This paper looks at existing literature reviews and researches at the changing trends in architectural work in the Middle East region especially in Muharraq as a city within Bahrain islands (Al-Fadhel, 1999, pp. 55-60). Literature Review During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, traditional architecture has greatly dominated Muharraq city. These traditional architectures were characterized by their responsiveness to the social and physical aspects within the social context. The traditional architectural houses were built in a courtyard style that mostly considered the climate and metaphoric religious connections (Belgrave, 1973, p.89). The rooms within traditional architecture houses were built to be multi-functional and their roofs were also used to connect the rooms in upper first floor. The materials used in traditional architecture were mainly local materials with a few combinations with imported ones mostly from Mesopotamia, Iran, East Africa and India (Al-Fadhel, 1999, pp. 55-60). In the tradition architecture, houses were built in a communal manner such a way that houses were absorbed in the big mass. This was to emphasis the social belief of solidarity and loyalty within a community and at the same time emphasis ones social statues within the society (Vinitha, 2003, np). Those deemed to have higher social statues within society like rulers, their houses were built separate from the big mass and the difference could be noted in building materials, architectural elements and the architectural designs that included bigger spacing of everything. The construction methods in architectural work were also simple in terms of elevations among other construction methods in traditional architecture (Al-Muraikhi, 1991, pp.12-18). The traditional architecture started to change its outlook in the beginning of 20th century. During this period there were many changes in social, economic and political landscape of Muharraq city. There was a total increase in population from 70000 to 90000 in 1941 and to 110000 in 1950 in regard to Bahrain as a whole. This large population growth led to change in architectural designs since all people needed accommodation as well as social buildings that could accommodate a much larger number of people than existing ones. This rapid growth in population was mainly attributed to migration of people from neighbouring nations and continents such as India among others (Vinitha, 2003, np). Another major change to Bahrain economy, social, political and architectural landscape was experienced after discovery of oil in 1931. The discovered oil was a resource that brought with it high revenue that had an economic impact in the region as well as a social impact to its people. As much as the government increased its economic statues, individuals within the society also gained higher statues hence the desire for more modernized houses that were in relation to their rising social statues within the society. Apart from oil, the change in Muharraq was also experienced with the introduction of the American Missionary in the region in 1903. This brought change in architectural designs of the region by the fact that missionaries started constructing their buildings in American way and designs hence moving away from traditional architecture of the region (Tariq, 2003, pp.23-25). The first educational facility was introduced in the region in 1919, Al Hedaya School (Tariq, 2003, pp.23-25). With introduction of educational facility, new things in terms of architecture, culture and beliefs were introduced and with time this developed understanding level of people which was important to the acceptance of much needed and coming changes in social, economic, political and architectural work. This changes sow to the emergence of specialized clinic in Muharraq in 1925 which was later followed by Al Naim Hospital in 1938. The social development changes were seen to be developing with creation of Manama Municipality in 1927. The rapid innovation growth in the region saw construction of an airport in Muharraq region in year 1932 that was a proof of economic growth in the region. Lastly change was also brought along with European expatriate that saw introduction of bungalow houses with European designs that were much different with the traditional architect (Fuccaro, 2000, pp.49-81). This change from traditional architecture to modern architecture was between 1946 -1970. During this period, many changes were experienced not only in architecture but in the economic, social and political structure as well. There was shift from fishing and pearl industry to working in oil industries among other newly created jobs in the region, the society structure changed from a tribal or family oriented to a more institutional one (Durand, 1879, p.6). This influenced architectural structure formation unlike in traditional architecture where houses were built within a communal block (Frifelt, 2001, p.13). These changes saw to the government involvement in local infrastructure works as well as in other social facilities like hospitals and educational institutes. This led to an increase in the number of educated people in Bahrain as well as Muharraq and eventually this led to change in social structure of the region (Fuccaro, 2000, pp.49-81). The changes brought along establishment of radio broadcasting station in 1955 which facilitated social and cultural issues to be interchanged within the region and communities. New cities like the Isa Town were discovered in 1967 with the high growing population that increased from 143000 in 1959 to 182000 in 1965. The new buildings had different outlooks in terms of architectural dimension, they were both based between regionalism and modernity and a good example is seen with Isa Town Gate that was built in 1968 and the Bahrain Commerce Chamber that was built in 1969 (Al-Doy, 1993, p.159). There was emergence of contemporary architecture between the periods of 1970 to 1990 (Mesa Bulletin, 2001, pp.175–87). This architecture was characterized by extensive use of glass as building materials and new techniques that conserved architectural heritage such as; Beit Al Quran, Seyadi house, Arad and Bahrain Forts, Bahrain National Museum in 1985, University of Bahrain Shakhir in 1987 among others. During this period, ministry of housing was established in 1975 and in 1972 Bahrain Society of Engineers was also established and lastly in 1981, committee of professional practice was also established to deal with the rapidly growing changes in architect sector (Tariq, 2003, pp.23-25). Lastly there was Bahrain architecture that emerged in 1990 to 2005, and it mainly involved trends from localism to modernism to globalism with much consideration to the social and cultural needs within the society. This included construction of Beit Al Quran, Al Fatih Mosque among others (Belgrave, 1993, pp.104-122). Conclusion There is a big dramatic change that exists with today’s architectural work with the ancient architectural work within Bahrain islands. The big difference in the structural work has been as a result of new ideas that have been brought along by migrants who have been on the rise in the 20th century to look for better life in the Middle East countries that were economically flourishing due to the discovery of oil in its region. The discovery of oil in the region also attracted foreign investments of much more developed countries such as the European nations that were interested in the regions because of oil (Durand, 1879, p.6). These European nations came along with their cultures and designs in the architectural fields hence much more modernized buildings were put up. The big and rapid growing population also contributed to the need for new architectural designs to facilitate the bigger population with modernized buildings such as shopping malls among others. The strategic location of Bahrain has also helped it in its transition to a much modernized architectural structures. It has natural ports that act as transit between Arab, Mesopotamia, Iran, India and East and North Africa. These factors are seen as contributing factors that influence architectural structures of the city. List of References Al-Fadhel, M., 1999. From Localism to Cosmopolitanism; a Bahreini Perspective. In Roel. Meijer, ed. Cosmopolitanism, Identity and Authenticity in the Middle East. Pp. 55-60. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Al-Muraikhi, K. M., 1991. Glimpses of Bahrain from Its Past. Manama, Bahrain: Government Press, Ministry of Information Belgrave C. D., 1973. Welcome to Bahrain. London: The Augustan Press, 89. Belgrave, C. D., 1993. The Early Years. In Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Khalifa and Michael Rice, eds. Bahrain through the Ages: The History. Pp. 104-122. London: Kegan Paul International Al-Doy, A., 1993. Bahrain According to Arab Geographers and Historians, from the Ninth Century AD to Ibn Battuta. In: Al-Khalifa AK & Rice M, eds. Bahrain through the ages. The history. London: Kegan Paul, 159 Durand C., 1879. Report on the Antiquities of Bahrain. Ms. on File, London: India Of?ce Library: 6 Frifelt K., 2001. Islamic remains in Bahrain. Aarhus: JASP, 37: 13 Fuccaro, N., 2000. Understanding the Urban History of Bahrain. Critique 17: 49 – 81. Mesa Bulletin, 2001. Visions of the City: Urban Studies in the Gulf. Mesa Bulletin 35: 175 –187. Tariq K., 2003. “Workers’ Treaty ‘Unfeasible’. Gulf Daily News XXVI: No. 188, 23-25 Vinitha V., 2003. Blaze Victims Win Rent Help: Building Owner Pledges Support, np Read More