In this series of interviews, we meet the finalists shortlisted for the 2024 Women in Architecture and Construction Award. These women have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa. The award features two categories: Rising Star and Woman of Outstanding Achievement.
This interview features Dr Eman Assi an associate professor at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and a renowned expert in urban conservation. She holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and has been involved in numerous heritage documentation and preservation projects across the Gulf and Mediterranean. Her published works on traditional houses in Dubai earned the Sultan bin Salman Award for Cultural Heritage. Eman’s contributions to the field include her role as chair of the scientific committee for international architectural conservation conferences, advancing knowledge and practice in the region.
Here, Eman Assi discusses her career in cultural heritage, highlighting her work in academia and her efforts in preserving heritage in Dubai, Jerusalem, and Palestine. She emphasises her role in shaping heritage laws, collaborating with international organisations, and empowering students to become advocates for preservation.
Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your work?
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong expertise in cultural heritage, emphasising an inclusive approach that aims to significantly impact its preservation. My commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage is evident through my diverse roles and active involvement in connecting academia with professional practice. I am always keen to integrate international updates with local and regional knowledge to maximise positive influence on students, professionals, and decision-makers shaping their built environments. For me, cultural heritage forms the foundation of my professional journey, which is focused on profound influences on shaping the cultural identity of individuals and communities. It extends beyond physical structures to encompass the human aspect, collective memory, history, tradition, and people’s aspirations.
Tell us more about your current role and key responsibilities.
My responsibilities encompass teaching, research, and community service. As a full-time faculty member in the Department of Architecture at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, I also lecture master’s students at the University of Sharjah on cultural heritage management. Additionally, I oversee the internship program for architecture students to prepare them for professional careers. I actively participate in various consultation committees with local and international organisations, such as the Department of Tourism and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah, focusing on the conservation of the old city, and the UAE Ministry of Youth, where I assist in classifying modern heritage in the UAE. Furthermore, I contribute to assessing world heritage files submitted to UNESCO.
Your work spans regions, can you share a project where you felt your efforts made the most significant impact on preserving cultural heritage in these regions?
The book on the traditional houses of old Dubai has a significant impact on preserving the city’s cultural heritage. Its significance lies in being the first comprehensive reference available in both English and Arabic for students and professionals interested in exploring the architectural character and details of these buildings. This book also offers in-depth documentation and explanations of local architectural elements. It also analyses various traditional house styles through precise illustrations, making it an essential reference for architecture students and professionals.
In projects like rehabilitating the Old City of Jerusalem or documenting modern heritage in Dubai, what do you consider your most significant achievement, and what challenges did you overcome?
In these projects, the most significant achievement is to persuade decision-makers regarding Dubai’s modern heritage and residents of the Old City of Jerusalem about the value and importance of these structures as integral to their cultural identity, thereby fostering acceptance of the need for their protection. In the case of modern heritage, considerable effort is dedicated to negotiating with decision-makers to classify sites of modern heritage as part of Dubai’s heritage, ultimately preventing their demolition in favor of investment and development. In the historic city of Jerusalem, the primary challenge is balancing residents’ needs for adequate living conditions with preserving their authentic character. This is achieved by adhering to international standards and maintaining a sensitive approach and reversible interventions.
How do you measure success in such complex heritage conservation efforts?
Meaningful impact is the primary measure of success in heritage conservation efforts. It reflects how much attitudes, processes, and behaviours have changed regarding preserving cultural heritage. This transformation is not merely about protecting structures; it fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the historical and cultural contexts that shape our identities.
You’ve played a pivotal role in the development of cultural heritage laws in Palestine. What do you consider your key achievements in shaping these laws, and how did you navigate the political and social challenges?
My role in the development of Palestinian cultural heritage involved serving as a technical committee member responsible for reviewing the text prepared for the cultural heritage section. The main concern was to adopt a broad understanding of cultural diversity heritage and the uniqueness of the Palestinian context when referring to the most updated international policies and guidelines for cultural heritage protection. This is assessed by identifying what we want to conserve, why we want to conserve it, and how to go about it. Throughout this process, various issues emerged, introducing new classifications, such as olive tree terraces and other elements unique to Palestine.
As an educator, you’ve empowered students to become stewards of the built environment. Could you share examples of students who have gone on to achieve success by applying your teachings?
In my teaching, I prioritise understanding the context and considering the needs and aspirations of the community when developing urban and architectural design solutions. A group of students under my supervision and other colleagues, Tawfiq Abu Hantash and Abeer Abu Raed, won the Emirates Ideas Award for Cultural Heritage in 2020 for documenting eight historic houses in the Old City of Ras Al Khaimah. This competition was open to students as well as professionals and governmental entities.
The project is significant as it addresses a gap in resources related to traditional residential architecture in Ras Al Khaimah. The documentation will be part of the database for preparing a management framework for classifying and conserving these sites.
Following this, many students focused their graduation projects on the historic city of Ras Al Khaimah. One notable example is the student Mohab’s graduation project, which aimed to upgrade the area to accommodate tourism while maintaining the authentic experience of Emirati traditional character. Additionally, a project by fourth-year students won first prize at the Ajman Biennale Award for Urban Vision: Architecture and the Future of Cities 2022.
How has this influenced your teaching philosophy over the years?
I focus on incorporating high-impact educational practices into my teaching to ensure student learning is successful. I aim to include real projects that present various challenges and issues. At the same time, I create a supportive and encouraging environment where students can learn by doing, developing their skills and approaches for their future careers.
You’ve spoken at international conferences on the impact of climate change on cultural heritage. What have been your most significant contributions to this conversation, and what steps do you believe are urgently needed to protect heritage sites in the UAE and Palestine?
The first step is to acknowledge that change is inevitable. It will come, and while you can prepare for it, you can’t prevent it. Adopt a dynamic approach. When faced with an unwelcome change, ask yourself: How can this make me better? What can I learn from it? How can I leverage this situation to my advantage?
The response to climate change’s impacts on heritage sites cannot simply involve hiring specialists or relying on a standardised toolkit. It needs inclusive and open approaches incorporating diverse perspectives and actively engaging with communities. To safeguard cultural heritage, there is an urgent need to equip communities worldwide with the tools to anticipate worsening and future climate impacts and empower them with training to turn that scientific knowledge into action that will safeguard sites, support community adaptation, and plan for unavoidable loss and damage.
Whatever we do, change will happen. The best thing we can do is go with the flow and let it happen, letting it teach us. Accept change and grow with it.
Your career involves collaborating with local communities, governments, and international organisations. What strategies have you found most effective in fostering these collaborations, and which project are you most proud of in this context?
In my career, fostering collaborations with local communities, governments, and international organisations has been essential. Building trust, establishing shared goals, and maintaining flexible approaches are key to achieving effective results. A good example of this is my role as project manager for the development of Historic Shindagha in Dubai. This project required strong collaboration among three government entities: the Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality, which served as the implementing body; the Department of Tourism, acting as the promotional partner; and the Dubai Authority for Culture, the project owner. Each entity leveraged its unique strengths to maximise the project’s success and effectively meet the goals.
Your career involves collaborating with local communities, governments, and international organisations. What strategies have you found most effective in fostering these collaborations, and which project are you most proud of in this context?
In my career, fostering collaborations with local communities, governments, and international organisations has been essential. Building trust, establishing shared goals, and maintaining flexible approaches are key to achieving effective results. A good example of this is my role as project manager for the development of Historic Shindagha in Dubai. This project required strong collaboration among three government entities: the Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality, which served as the implementing body; the Department of Tourism, acting as the promotional partner; and the Dubai Authority for Culture, the project owner. Each entity leveraged its unique strengths to maximise the project’s success and effectively meet the goals.
What advice would you give architecture students or young professionals starting their careers?
I advise students to believe in themselves and embrace their unique perspectives, striving to reach their fullest potential. Recognising and celebrating their individuality is crucial, as your voice plays a vital role in the field. I encourage you to stay curious and open-minded, continually seeking knowledge and embracing lifelong learning. Most importantly, remain committed to their values and focus on human-centred approaches that prioritise the needs and experiences of those you serve.
What advice would you give architecture students or young professionals starting their careers?
I advise students to believe in themselves and embrace their unique perspectives, striving to reach their fullest potential. Recognising and celebrating their individuality is crucial, as your voice plays a vital role in the field. I encourage you to stay curious and open-minded, continually seeking knowledge and embracing lifelong learning. Most importantly, remain committed to their values and focus on human-centred approaches that prioritise the needs and experiences of those you serve.
Meet our other finalists: Amal Abuelhawa, Hana Alamuddin, Ula Merie, Hala Asslan, Lebriz Atan Karaatlı, Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin, Sumaya Dabbagh, Rania Kaadan, Shatha Safi.
Meet Our Finalists series is a compilation of interviews with those who have been shortlisted for our awards. Eman Assi is a finalist for the Women in Architecture and Construction Award, which recognises women who have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa.