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Public Art and Placemaking in UAE Cities

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Placemaking

Public spaces have always been an essential part of society. Public spaces are meant to be used by everyone in the society. So, it is a designer’s job to make sure that the public space is easily accessible, bearable, attractive, and convenient. A public space is where people get together and intend to have a good time. Placemaking is the concept to add convenience, safety, ambiance, liveliness, and aesthetics to a public place. 

In a country like UAE, which is well known for being a tourist favorite, one cannot avoid public spaces like malls, streets, transport stations, street, etc. These spaces contribute eminently to a country’s experience. A place is often judged by the experiences of its public spaces. Public spaces contribute to the public’s happiness, well-being, mental health, and physical health and also create a sense of belongingness and togetherness. 

Public Art and Placemaking in UAE Cities - Sheet1
Placemaking_©placemaking.education

History of Placemaking

‘Cities have the capacity to provide something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.’   – Jane Jacobs

The design idea of people–centric cities was first mentioned in the late 1960s by the writer Jane Jacobs and William. H. Whyte. With time urbanization bought spaces that cater to people’s health, mood, comfort, and safety. 

Impacts of Placemaking  

Well-designed spaces enhance urban and rural experiences and invite more people of all ages and backgrounds to strengthen the social fabric of the community. Small communal steps lead to big-scale transformations. 

  • Economic Impact – Attractive and aesthetic places attract several tourists and visitors and these places usually require low-cost investments. The space also creates opportunities for local vendors to flourish. 
  • Cultural Impact – Public art can portray cultural and historical backgrounds while providing exposure to local artists. This keeps people bonded to the roots of the area. 
  • Social Impact – Interactive and interesting public spaces help people rejuvenate and revive. People would tend to spend more time outdoors interacting with people of different backgrounds and helping build good relations with fellow neighbors. This leads to better co-existence in an area and a tighter society.
Public Art and Placemaking in UAE Cities - Sheet2
Placemaking_©project for public spaces

Principles of Placemaking

  • The community knows the best
  • Create a place, not a design
  • It’s a group effort
  • Observation is vital
  • Requires a vision
  • Start small and elevate
  • Triangulate 
  • Form supports function
  • It’s a Never-Ending process

Public Art

Public art is important for placemaking because it is born right where it is needed keeping in mind its origin, history, and culture. Places like alleyways, parking, malls, street, schools, parks, etc, improve in terms of aesthetics, character, comfort, and safety due to the introduction of public art. Public art does not only help society and the community but also empowers and motivates local artists. It helps in making the space such that people would want to willingly visit the space again. The creation should be consistent, dynamic, and relatable. Public art is usually influenced by the character of the existing space and the sort of day-to-day activities being carried out there and it aims to highlight this character and represent the community creatively and sensitively. 

Public Art and Placemaking in UAE Cities - Sheet3
Public art_©AMT Lab

Public Art – UAE

  • WAVE – The initiative of Public Art Abu Dhabi was inaugurated with the unveiling of WAVE, a digital media artwork. It’s a 2d installation that recreates 3-dimensional waves and is mounted on top of a building. The waves represent the pristine azure waters of the Emirates. 
  • Yas Bay Waterfront – Harbours some of the best public artwork that, includes The Astrocat installation, The Emerging Man installation. There are also some cool graphic murals along the waterfront area by the Supakitch, Monkeybird, and Beatsman.
  • Murals at Sheikha Fatima Park – Some of the interesting murals are found here, including “Curious Puppies” by Jack Lee. Some murals are created with collaborations with students and artists making it a communal engagement project. 
  • Mural at Marsa Al Bateen – It’s the largest public mural art in the region. It showcases people from different nationalities and backgrounds in bright, bold colors, sending out a beautiful message.
  • Installations at Special Olympic Garden – Consists of six public artworks by renowned artists. Works include murals, mix-media installations, and sculptures like a working steel bridge over a steel lake by Mehmet Ali Uysal.
Public Art and Placemaking in UAE Cities - Sheet4
WAVE_©Time Out Abu Dhabi

Public Art – Abu Dhabi

‘Public art has always had a place in Abu Dhabi, and we have the infrastructure to build upon that even further… We don’t want you only to come to our sites and museums; we will take art to you. You will walk in the streets of Abu Dhabi and encounter art. You will recognize your city through the lens of art’, Reem Fadda, the director of the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, said in a speech at an event. 

Launched by DCT Abu Dhabi, Public Art Abu Dhabi is an initiative that furthers the emirate’s long legacy of investing in culture and embedding it into the fabric of the city. Three main projects that fall under this initiative

  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial – Features new commissions across the city. 
  • Mannar Abu Dhabi – Features an array of light artwork that celebrates the city’s natural and unique views
  • Direct commission – Features hiring local artists yearly. 

This initiative will amplify Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity while adding a sense of belonging and evolving creativity. The most important aspect of this initiative remains that it invites everyone to engage in this cultural program, enhancing community engagement. 

Public art Abu Dhabi_©Helmick sculpturrei

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Author

Isha Mutha is a student at MM College of architecture, Pune. She appreciates architecture but also has an undying passion for literature. Attempting to combine her design motives with creativity for storytelling. She strongly believes that a pen is mightier than a sword and hence changing perspectives one word at a time.

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