SEARCH FOR CULTURAL IDENTITY IN THE TRADITION OF FORTIFIED STRUCTURES

Abstract

The country's fast growth in Qatar has recently opened the door to questioning future development directions. The country's need to enhance local identity has promoted many campaigns for conserving local tradition and preserving national heritage, following an opposite direction compared to the recent construction boom in contemporary architecture. Heritage restoration and reuse can be a sustainable strategy to enhance the local tourism offer and improve country identity values with the involvement of local communities. The historical origins of the country are embedded in the defensive functions of many heritage buildings currently undergoing a series of interventions financed by governmental institutions to promote the valorization of national resources and culture. The paper illustrates the conducted analyses and shows how the defensive structures are located in the Qatar territory into three main areas to defend from the invasions from the North-West and the East sides of the country. The results show three main categories of buildings based on their traditional defensive function and location: traditional forts, fortified residential buildings to protect the population and watch towers to provide surveillance. The research highlights how heritage sites still need to be valorized and how the conservation practice can promote sustainable growth and development of the country in the post-oil area.