A Case-Study in Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf

The role of economic growth in coastal culture: a case-study in Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf

M. Mohebbi & A. S. Mahmoodi Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, The University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This paper arises from the quest of reaching a path for economic growth in a port in Qeshm Island located in the Persian Gulf [3]. Currently this port is a town, but in the near future it will become a special economic zone and will play an important role in the economy of the Persian Gulf. We intend to realise its condition and also find a proper way to respect cultural elements while programming and designing for this port. Recently, there has been an attempt to make some investments in the island in order to attract tourists to Qeshm. One possible approach for tourist attraction could be through existing resources on the island, i.e. navigational attractions, which could be appropriate and sustainable. The major task of this study has been to find an answer to this question: “How can we respect cultural values while technology affects our life in this age?” Keywords: globalisation, coastal culture, Persian Gulf Bridge, dhow, navigation, sea-museum, tribal values, economic growth, respect.

1 Introduction

Culture has production, death and life (Ashouri [2]). It changes in the process of time, but it has the fixed factors, which if considered as the basis in the social and economic development, the primary values of a society will be protected while implementing the local changes. Culture is also a powerful means of controlling cities, it plays a leading role in urban development strategies based on historic preservation or local “heritage” (Zukin [28]). It is a basic resource for sustainable economic growth (Santagata [24]). In the economic growth of the regions with ancient

346 Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender background, the shaping of a place is the outcome of power struggles between varies, cultures and fears within the existing social order (Greed [11]). In every growth and development, as the first insight, we should search for the meaning of the region. The meaning is marked out by identity (Graham [10]). It is us who make things mean. Meanings consequently, will always change, from one culture or period to another (Hall [12]). So, the meaning of region where we are studying on, should be discovered and then affect on the final plan. In this sense, many doubts and uncertainties can confound designers’ task. How well will her/his work been received by clients and users and will it really satisfy their needs? (Lawson [17]). Users are much important, means natives and we should make a clear communication with them to find what they really need. Communication enables us to identify claims about values (Forester [8]), claims about what natives want to gain, or care about enough to put on the table for discussion. When a region is studied to be made developed, planners should try to reach the fact of the existence of the region. Then they can design or program considering all details about the region. “Design is a conscious exercise. The unconscious can more than likely never infiltrate a design because the designer makes her/himself aware of every detail” (Bernard [6]), and the meaning of region is the most significant detail, which includes culture as the main consideration. Design at different scales can have a significant influence on the social and cultural relationships (Talebi [25]). In this century, the global commercial forces and technological developments are influencing the cultures of cities. In many people’s opinion, development is considered as a threat for identity. But, in this discussion, we try to make a debate about the correlation between the local culture and technology, but in a different way. Technology can affect culture positively, if designers or planners try to find to what extent each of them can affect our life.

1.1 Economic growth and information technology

Social scientists are only now coming to grips with information technology (IT); because it is the main consideration which can be useful in the process of transformation, especially cultural transformation (Henry [13]). It is a fact that we can maximise the usefulness of new information technology in the workplace when we understand culture. IT is inevitable in the age of globalisation, and technology is only half of what IT is about (Henry [13]). Thanks to IT, planners, investors and ordinary people (Esp. in the developing countries or traditional societies) will be able to achieve better ways to use natural resources. This will end in stable development and progress towards what we call “Social Welfare”. The first way to change the current situation and to take advantage of the environmental factor is to promote social welfare. This will end in economic growth by itself. Economic growth can be considered as a direct consequence of IT. We have considered economic growth as the main result of IT in the present study. The latter can lead the society towards better use of environment. This can even happen in a simple

Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender 347 rural area as an economic change. The site is an example of rural areas, which is considered to be developed as a special port.

1.2 Aims

- To respect all values while developing a place. - To reach proper spaces to consider in this ancient area; which can help us to revive the local values.

1.3 Research methodology (Case-study)

Methodology should be a conversation about everything that could be made to happen (Jones [7]). The methodology of this research includes: 1. Literature Review, 2. Surveying, 3. Field works. The comprehensive plan of this port was first reviewed, then analysed the equipment considered in the plan. Also, we spent more than 2 months in the port and performed several field-works including interviews and filling questionnaires. We analysed the collected data based on the native people's opinion about what we can do to respect the cultural values in the plan. The final section discusses the creation of cultural spaces.

2 The site (the Persian Gulf, Qeshm Island, Loft Port)

Ancient Iranians were the first great navigators of the world. (Nourbakhsh [19]) The Persian Gulf is an area of the world with a seafaring tradition of over 5,000 years in age, it had been considered as the most suitable region for sailing and evolution of human civilisation for its calmness and warm waters” (Amir Ebrahimi [1]). The name of “Qeshm” as the biggest island, is a testimony to Elamites long stay in this area [21]. The island is approximately 120 km long in an east-west direction, and between ten and thirty kilometre wide [22]. Qeshm has a native population of over 85,000, a majority of them are Sunni Moslems. The activities of native people is mainly centred around fishing and shrimp trapping, ship building, palm farming, trade and folk art [23]. Loft is one of the most important towns, which is considered to be developed as a special port in the long-term strategy of the Qeshm development plan. There are three considerable factors in the future development of “Loft”: Gavarzin Gas Field, Hara Sea-Forest and The Persian Gulf Bridge, fig. 1.

3 The proposed plan

In the original comprehensive plan prepared for the Qeshm Island, the chapter of “Loft Development”, the following subjects were evaluated (Pajouhesh [20]): 60000 square metres is considered for religious-cultural functions, fig. 1. In that classification, “religious” and “cultural” functions have been separated. However, it would have been more appropriate to use the term “cultural” as a major criteria that includes many sub divisions, i.e. “religion”. Culture is about different ways of approaching knowledge, different areas which are discussed

348 Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender while others remain tacit (Veltman [26]). In this context, the ancient culture of navigation is the most considerable factor, which should be evaluated separately. The coastal bounds have been determined in about 300 metre from the edges of the beach. Also, 50% of this area has been considered for public functions. About 30% of these spaces are located at the perspective of the old context of “Loft”, fig. 1. As considered in the comprehensive plan, public functions include hotels, shopping centres and environmental protected parks. This kind of approach to the coastline architecture and urbanism cannot be acceptable. Because public spaces are the primary site of public culture, they are a window into the city’s soul (Zukin [28]); and “Loft” port is a city of culture, does not possess an abundance of historic and artistic resources, but is able to generate culture (Santagata [24]). In the present, there is a peerless perspective of the valuable native architecture from the Hara sea-forest side, fig. 2. We should respect this unique view and try to revive the main meaning of dominant elements, which has been forgotten in the visual mind of “Loft” port, along the economic growth. We should define sea bounds by some elements, which are valuable in the aesthetics or functional viewpoint; e.g. definition of some enclosures, which are combined with nature. The nature is a part of heritage; heritage is often envisaged through intangible forms of traditional and popular culture (Graham [10]), but heritage is everything which gives the meaning to a region. As another instance, Definition of some exhibitions (e.g. sea-museum), with using modern architectural technology while respecting traditional forms, can help the designer to revive its rich ancient culture of navigation. In the recent performances of the local organisations, several “Dhow Constructions” were closed under the ignorance of some native craftsmen who earn a livelihood via this craft. The establishment of a “Sea-Museum”, can be helpful for the craftsmen. In this museum, they can be active again, this time in the most valuable position, as the reminders of this ancient craft. The East Side of this site, is considered to program for high residential buildings. fig. 1. This approach is such like the past undertakings in Qeshm City. The present view taken for Qeshm City is basically economic oriented approach. Except for a few buildings, there is not a trace of culture. In such an ancient area (Loft Port), with religious background and cultural marks, planning for high residential buildings can be the worst approach to solve this local problem. Totally, the original decision will be made by the original owners, native people, but not us! In the most important stage of the study, after the evaluation of the comprehensive plan, native people’s opinion was asked.

3.1 Constraining problems, probable solution

The proposed bridge in this region with such a valuable cultural background could pose some serious problems. In these new conditions, this town can be a function of the role of the heritage town as tourism capital. If we don’t consider coastal culture in a dynamic way, tourism can affect coastal culture negatively. “When the local culture is considered in a more dynamic way, the future is not as a threat for the local culture” (Vogelij [27]). Culture provides the tools to transform the city and to mobilise the population (Belliot [5]); we should try to

Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender 349 find these tools and also, “visible” and “invisible” culture should be considered. Visible culture includes valuable regional architecture as the most considerable factor. But, invisible culture is hidden in the natives’ minds. We tried to discover the latter by questionnaires.

3.2 Structure of the questionnaire

The interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data on Sea- Culture based on native people’s opinions. The questionnaire was prepared based on Sociometry (Using Psychological bases), and “Incomplete Sentences Test” was included at the end. The sampling was a judgement sampling. We had to consider three main groups of clients: “the native sailors, youth and the fixed population of the port.” It was intended to have a wide range of opinions. The sample size consisted of 15% of all natives in “Loft” port. Study Group: native sailors (31.8%) and others (68.2%); Target Group: “natives who live in the Loft port”; Alpha: 0.5453; Standard Item Alpha: 0.4907; Age-range: 10-75 years; Mean: 37.8; M/F: ~2/1; Uneducated/educated: ~ 1/2

Figure 1: Comprehensive plan of Loft Port, the public spaces considered on sea-bounds.

3.2.1 Results of the questionnaire A total of 25 questions were given to the natives; however, because of the aims of this article, only five main questions are analysed. The question of whether high technology is good or not, is meaningless (Leamnson [18]). There cannot be a yes/no answer. So, the main part of the questionnaire is provided based on this basically question: “Is technology a change in our culture?” (Frances Higuchi [9]); this part included five Multiple-choice questions. As a result, it is intended to analyse these questions: 1.“Does the establishment of “The Persian Gulf Bridge” have any desirable effect on the natives’ life?” It is a simple question, but it is very important to find how natives think in this case; because this establishment is very useful for the economy of “Loft” port, but what we can do to create this event in the best way

350 Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender which natives have a feeling of calmness. After analysing the results, we saw that more than 53.63% of natives think that this event can affect their life negatively (Table 1). In the natives’ opinion, the most undesirable result after the establishment of the bridge is “insecurity” (Table 2). The feeling of “insecurity” arises from peoples’ mental background. It is such like “Generalised Anxiety”; this anxiety arises from the past unpleasant experiences (Azad [4]). In another questionnaire, which we provided for “Qeshm City”, we asked about the economic growth process and its results. More than 63% of the clients believed that “the present process is just the economic growth and we have not been considered as the natives in this process.” Qeshm City as an incorrect experience in the neighbourhood can affect the natives’ minds negatively. The clients think that this establishment will be a threat for their tribal relations; and their youth become accustomed with the modern manifestations without any knowledge about their historical background. In this condition, cultural growth should be considered along the economic growth. The culture is by our use of things, and what we say, think and feel about them that we give them a meaning (Graham [10]); So, the planners can create culture along while protecting the local values; with the help of local equipment and natives’ opinions. It appears that people believe in that the local organisations cannot solve the future problems, which will occur after this link. The first solution to change natives’ opinion is the maintenance of the present valuable architectural spaces in this context. It is a step forward. Maintenance in this way, can bring the feeling of security for the natives and, they will believe that they should revere this context as a peerless instance of the coastline architecture in the Persian Gulf, as an important part of the coastal culture.

Figure 2: The peerless perspective of “Loft Port” (East Side). Table 1: The level of desirability of establishment of the Persian Gulf Bridge, based on age groups.

Desirable Undesirable Blank Age group 10-20 (31.57%) 50% 33.33% 16.6% 20-45 (36.74%) 42.86% 57.14% - 45-75 (31.57%) 51% 30.33% 18.6%

2. Art is an important agent then in transmission of culture. (John and Kneis [15]) But in a city, using of art should be logical; because “A City is not a Work

Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender 351 of Art” (Jacobs [14]). Considering this fact, the museum is a space, which is established based on “Art”. In another question, it was asked as a suggestion: “If the establishment of Persian Gulf Bridge has undesirable effect, To what extent, establishment of a sea-museum can improve this condition?” More than 63% of the clients confess that establishing a sea-museum and other similar functions will help protecting the local culture to be alive, after the process of the development. The impact of the museum district is multifold. Its realisation increases the demand for cultural services (Santagata [24]). Sea museums create a social space for the exchange of ideas on which businesses thrive (Zukin [28]); So, considering cultural parks and Eco-museum can be useful in this context, to flourish its economics and revive the tribal values. 3. The other three questions were about sea museum, its location and necessity. The answers showed that the clients approve this kind of programming for this region (Table 3). If we collate group number one by others, will reach these results: Lack of acquaintance between the youth and traditional-cultural values and, inefficient traditional methods, which have been used by local organisations. The distinction between the approaches is not easy. As a result, modern movements with cultural background can be the best way to develop this region, fig. 3. Also, in people’s opinion this approach was been selected. In this point, we reach to the first part of our discussion. If we try to respect heritage and technology through every growth, we can see that the natives will not consider technology as a threat and, the tribal and cultural elements will be shown to the native youth and also, to the visitors of this region.

4 Conclusion

Economic growth and technological development make a new planning for the town, which is considered for this development. This is a critical event when we should work on a town with ancient background. In this condition, there is one brilliant factor, heritage. Heritage means everything and cultural considerations are the most important factors. Town planning is the art and science of ordering the use of land and the character and siting of buildings and communicative routes (Keeble [16]). One major step before making any proposal for a site development should include the search for the appropriate land use of the site. This will require a thorough study about the identity of that site and how could one preserve the major values of that site. If we find the exact and proper function, then planning will go on the right path. In this point, technology and growth cannot be a threat. There are three considerations, which we should notice in the process of such development: 1- The correlation between the spaces and people’s faiths. 2- The correlation between the local values and future functions. 3- The analysis of into what extent the future functions and spaces can occur while respecting the heritage of site. In this process, we will find the valuable considerations, then our planning can be respectable to natives.

352 Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender

Table 2: The foreseen reasons behind the rejection of the natives for the establishment of the Persian Gulf Bridge, based on age group of 20-45 (the realist age group).

Results Tribal Security Cultural Unknown Age group Reasons Values 20-45 10.53% 53% 26% 10.47%

Table 3: The level of the native’s desirability with the three proposed design approach to construct the museum.

View Traditional Modern Tradition & Educated Age group Approach Approach Modernism

10-20 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 83.3% 20-45 28.57% - 71.42% 85.71% 45-75 44.52% - 16.6% 34.5%

Figure 3: The different approaches to designing a sea-museum in this ancient site which were asked of natives.

So, technology and identity (culture as the most important factor) have friendly relation. And also, in some cases, technology can help our culture to show itself to the visitors of the place. So, we can use technology and economics to improve our cultural values. Only, we should know how much each of them is worth and also, in what field each of them can affect our lives.

Acknowledgements

Supported by a grant from the “University of Tehran” (Ref. 42/15130), and also a grant from the (NYOIR). The authors wish to thank Dr. M.R. Mohebbi for revision of the text. We also thank Mr. S. Zoulfaghar Nasab for the statistical analysis and Miss Farkhondeh Saffari for her kind help in the field works. This work is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Nasrin Golijani Moghaddam.

Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender 353

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