Cultural policy in Abu Dhabi, a city within the United Arab Emirates, refers to any initiative undertaken by the Emirate government aimed at achieving goals to contribute to or shape culture. Abu Dhabi's government aims to develop a cultural infrastructure that will allow it to establish itself as a reference point for culture on three levels:
Locally, Abu Dhabi would preserve and sustain local traditions and heritage, promoting itself as the custodian of true Emirati and Arab identity.; Regionally, the focus on culture is meant to help the city and the Emirate compete against traditional centers of power in the Arab world (e.g. Egypt, Lebanon, pre-conflict Syria, etc.) for a leading role in Middle Eastern politics; Globally, Particular focus on the service sector and innovation.
+ Cultural Investment in Abu Dhabi. Source: SCAD Name of Institution Building Cost Extended Investments Guggenheim 400 mill USD 3 bill USD Louvre 110 mill USD 562 mill USD Zayed National Museum / / Maritime Museum / / NYU Abu Dhabi / / Sorbonne Abu Dhabi / 435.7 mill USD Zayed University / 1.116 bill USD Ferrari Theme Park / 2.97 bill USD
Since 2004, the Abu Dhabi government has invested resources to attain these goals. It has done so by developing local cultural districts, promoting education, and engaging in grand scale plans of urban transformation within the conceptual framework of "cultural infrastructure". Under the blueprint of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 plan, as these efforts have been branded, the main government body responsible for cultural development in the Emirate today is the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCTAD).Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority Web Page. Last access: 17.04.2013
History The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has a diverse cultural history. Settlements of different tribal groups in the prehistoric era granted the region with a rich heritage of traditions and customs. However, the city did not engage in any serious urban development strategy until the discovery of oil in 1962. Thereafter, economic prosperity in the 60s and 70s has resulted in exposure to foreign influxes that jeopardized the integrity of local heritage.Abu Dhabi Government: Official Web Page. Last access: 16.04.2013 The Emirate's leadership has since then understood the importance of preserving its roots. Ruler's initiative is key in understanding cultural policymaking in Abu Dhabi. Official publications such as the Vision 2030 Master Plan stress the inspirational role played by UAE's first ruler, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in investing oil and gas profits for the development and benefit of the Emirate and its people: "Sheikh Zayed recognized the assets of the UAE, not just its oil, but its true wealth - its people and heritage, its sustainable approach to life and the rich natural assets of the sea and the ‘sweet sands' of the desert".ADCED and UPC, Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 , p.16 In the years, the Government of Abu Dhabi has established various institutions and agencies to develop this vision.
Founded in 1981, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation (ADCF) has for long been the prominent institution in developing and implementing cultural programs in the Emirate. The Arts Workshop, for instance, was aimed at making activities such as ceramics, calligraphy and photography accessible to the general public. The declared mission of the ADCF has been to "promote culture, enrich intellectual thought, encouraging fine arts and highlighting the national, Arab and Islamic cultural heritage".Lawson, Fred H. and al Naboodah, Hasan M. “Heritage and Cultural Nationalism in the United Arab Emirates” in Alsharekh, Alan and Springborg, Robert (eds.). Popular Culture and National Identity in the Arab Gulf States. London: LMEI at SOAS, SAQI (2008): 15-30. When Sheikh Zayed died in 2004, his son Sheikh Khalifa took over and the Emirate's cultural ambitions were redefined in scope, with Abu Dhabi to become a truly global player: "Abu Dhabi will become an international cultural hub for the middle east on par with the best in the world", he declared. The Abu Dhabi Cultural Heritage Management Strategy was then developed in collaboration with UNESCO to investigate critical issues and design optimal policy responses over a five years' horizon. As a result of these studies, in 2005, operations of the ADCF were taken over by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), which was established with the aim of harmonizing the planning and managing of numerous cultural efforts: education, media, literature and arts, archaeological sites, research, intangible heritage and oral traditions, natural landscape. It incorporated several cultural establishments such as the Abu Dhabi National Library, the Abu Dhabi National Archives, the Al Ain National Museum and the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey. A sister company, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) was established in 2004 for the promotion and development of the tourism sector in the Emirate.
Institutional Framework In opposition to the laissez-faire approach adopted by the neighboring Dubai, which allows for greater flexibility in private initiative, Abu Dhabi still adopts a top-down planning policy and the institutional framework, direct emanation of the Government and of the ruling family, is a key component of the Emirate's cultural policy.Davidson, Christopher. “Diversification in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: The Impact on National Identity and the Ruling Bargain” in Alsharekh, Alan and Springborg, Robert (eds.). Popular Culture and National Identity in the Arab Gulf States. London: LMEI at SOAS, SAQI (2008): 143-153. Governmental institutions, advisory bodies and financing funds are invariably chaired by members of the ruling family and consultations with the local population are rare. Following bodies perform today a critical role in cultural policymaking in Abu Dhabi:
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Established in February 2012 by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of Abu Dhabi, this 'super-agency' combines the existing authorities for tourism, culture and heritage and retains all assets, mandates and staff of the previous organizations.
Mission: Its declared mission is "to promote the heritage, culture and traditions of Abu Dhabi emirate worldwide, […] to support the emirate's evolution into a world-class, sustainable destination which makes a unique contribution to the global cultural landscape while conserving its singular character and ecosystem".
Cultural Mandate: Its mandate is directly related to the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan, which dictates guidelines for policy-making and offers a coherent strategic framework within which cultural policy in Abu Dhabi must be interpreted.
Operations and Responsibilities: Activities of the TCA are conducted in accordance to its given remit and include: The management of Abu Dhabi's growing tourism sector and its promotion internationally, by marketing it to culturally aware visitors and by facilitating international investments. the preservation and protection of Abu Dhabi's cultural heritage, with particular attention to its historic and archaeological sites, among which UNESCO World Heritage sites. the management of both existing and new museums, including the overseeing of operations in developing the Saadiyat Island Cultural District reaching new local and international audiences by nurturing a lively cultural environment and by sustaining and promoting cultural events, artistic programs, and other intellectual activities sponsoring education programs and broaden appreciation of Abu Dhabi's traditions and legacy, as well as preserving collective memory and intangible heritage of the Emirate fostering a future class of leaders and professionals in the field of culture and education promoting the development of human and cultural capital in light with the challenges posed by the knowledge economy.
The Tourist Development and Investment Company (TDIC) Established in 2006, the TDIC is an independent publicly listed company of which the TCA is the only shareholder. It is directly involved in developing the Saadiyat Island project by managing estates and propriety rights on the island, allocating it to private investors and ensuring the sites are developed according to the Master Plan regulations and guidelines.
The Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) and the Urban Planning Council (UPC) Respectively established in 2007 and 2006, the UPC and the ADCED are government agencies responsible for the planning of urban development strategies and for economic policy advisory in Abu Dhabi. The agencies cooperate in light of the complementary role they play in the developments of the emirate. Their partnership ensures successful completion of the government's long-term vision, by integrating knowledge to inform policymakers in the outlining of individual policies, plans and blueprints that account for the multidisciplinary facets underlying the pursue of a truly sustainable future for Abu Dhabi. Their workings resulted in the definition and publication of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan, which is the foremost inspiring document behind cultural policymaking in the emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan Cultural policy in Abu Dhabi is largely subsumed to the so-called Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan. The plan, a comprehensive set of strategic policies for the development of the Emirate in the next 20 years, has been sponsored since 2006 by Their Highnesses Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the current UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Plan aims at coordinating the political efforts of all agencies and authorities of the Emirate's government. It relies on two main pillars: the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Vision 2030. Culture constitutes an important premise for both plans.
Economic Vision 2030 The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 has been outlined by the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) and its foremost declared aim is to promote "Abu Dhabi as a sustainable, diversified, high-value-added economy that encourages enterprises and entrepreneurships and is well integrated in the global economy leading to better opportunities for all".ADCED and UPC, Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 , p.28
Urban Planning Vision 2030 The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Vision 2030 addresses new challenges brought about by demographic shifts in the Emirate aiming at "Developing physical plans and policies to shape Abu Dhabi Emirate as the leading global 21st century Arab capital and ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, economic growth and community planning are integrated to provide a high- quality of life for all."ADCED and UPC, Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 , p.65 The main authority responsible for its implementation is the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC).
Estidama
In particular, the conceptual guidelines underlying the Vision 2030 Master Plan are outlined in Estidama. Originally designed in 2008 by the UPC as a policy program, Estidama, which means "sustainability" in Arabic, has since then rather become an inspirational vision for political governance. Aiming at achieving a more balanced society and enhancing well-being of future generations, it is grounded on four main pillars: economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability.
Long Term Objectives for Cultural Policy Economic Sustainability: Diversification through Tourism