Lecture on Windtower Houses attracts hundreds

The lecture, titled "Wind-tower Houses of the Bastakiya", was organised by the Historical Buildings Section of Dubai Municipality. It was delivered by Peter Jackson, an eminent Dubai-based architect and co-author of "A Windtower House in Dubai".

Mr. Jackson shed light on the architecture and construction of this unique quarter, explaining the way in which the houses were lived in, the effectiveness of traditional wind towers for human comfort, and the work of the Historic Buildings Section in restoring and reconstructing a substantial part of the Bastakiya as a cultural and tourist centre in Bur Dubai.

Introducing the lecturer to the audience, Rashad Mohammed Bukhash, Director of General Projects Department at the municipality, said Mr. Jackson, who co-authored a book on wind-towers with Dr. Anne Coles, has written numerous articles of architectural historical research.

Rashad said the lecture formed part of a year-round public awareness programme, drawn up by the Historic Buildings Section, which includes lectures, seminars and exhibitions on architectural heritage, historical, social and cultural aspects of the UAE and other Arab countries.

During this year, he said, the section would organize at least 17 lectures on topics like "Walls of Transgression: Revisiting the Cultural Park of Children in Cairo," "Traditional Architecture in South Algeria", "Inventing Places: Dubai Grapples with its Heritage", "Architecture Identity: Algeria under French Occupation", "Planning for Cultural Sustainability", and "Spaces between Buildings". The lectures include eminent architects and other prominent personalities from inside the country and abroad.