sustainability
Article Elevating Cultural Preservation Projects into Urban Regeneration: A Case Study of Bahrain’s Pearling Trail
Haifa Tawfeeq Naseeb, Jongoh Lee and Heejae Choi *
Graduate School, Global Culture & Contents, College of Education, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02450, Korea; [email protected] (H.T.N.); [email protected] (J.L.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-10-9170-9430
Abstract: The island of Muharraq in the Kingdom of Bahrain was previously in a state of socioe- conomic disrepair and neglect, until the nine years-long “Pearling Trail” project revived the area. Historically, Muharraq’s importance inheres in it being the main trade center of the Middle East since the Mesopotamian period, especially as the source of the finest pearls in the world. However, the discovery of oil that led to the rapid urbanization of the region and Japan perfecting the production of cultured pearls had meant that Muharraq dwindled out of cultural significance. Due to the residents’ dissatisfaction and nostalgia for the island’s past glory, along with the government’s new policies towards cultural preservation, the “Pearling Trail” Project commenced in 2012. The Ministry of Culture of Bahrain repaired, renovated and preserved an area of 3.5 km, transforming it into an eco-museum with a thriving business and cultural community. The transformation of the island elevated the city into a trendy local attraction, hosting local and global cultural festivals and events, owing to the “Pearling Trail’s” Urban Regeneration Project’s success. By studying the “Pearling Trail” three success factors are identified: Project expansion beyond UNESCO preservation requirements, focus on sustainability and continuous use, and improved access to culture and cultural opportunities. Identifying these factors could allow for future preservation projects in Bahrain or elsewhere to be Citation: Naseeb, H.T.; Lee, J.; Choi, upgraded for urban regeneration or revitalization. H. Elevating Cultural Preservation Projects into Urban Regeneration: A Keywords: Bahrain; Muharraq; Pearling Trail; urban regeneration; Eco Museum Case Study of Bahrain’s Pearling Trail. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629. https:// doi.org/10.3390/su13126629
Academic Editor: Chiara Garau 1. Introduction The Kingdom of Bahrain’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Pearling Trail Received: 5 May 2021 located on the island of Muharraq. This site is distinguished from others by the Bahraini Accepted: 7 June 2021 government’s success in elevating it from cultural reservation to an urban regeneration Published: 10 June 2021 project. The most significant accomplishment of Bahrain Pearling Trail regeneration project is how it revitalized Muharraq, combining historic storytelling of the region’s pearl industry Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with cultural preservation while generating direct economic benefits [1]. Bahrain’s first with regard to jurisdictional claims in UNESCO World Heritage Site, as Qal’at al-Bahrain, also known as the Bahrain Fort or the published maps and institutional affil- Ancient Harbor and Capital of Dilmun, was awarded the title in 2005, pales in comparison iations. to the Pearling Trail in terms of socioeconomic impact. At the time, the award of such a title was an outstanding achievement, yet it did little more than add another name to the must-visit list of tourists who happen to stop by Bahrain. Although the fort faces a beach and has a spectacular ocean view, yet efforts to make the area more tourist-friendly have Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. not gone beyond small museum with a modest semi-traditional café. Despite its location Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. close to the central shopping district in Bahrain, it stands isolated. Most of the attraction This article is an open access article basis of the site relies on local endeavors to host small family festivals, inviting food trucks distributed under the terms and to the area, and privately-owned horse-riding activities, all of which are not advertised to conditions of the Creative Commons tourists, maintaining a visitor populace of locals only. Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// Thus, with the Pearling Trail Project the main challenge was to expand the goal creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ from merely obtaining the UNESCO Site title that may generate global fame for a limited 4.0/).
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126629 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 9
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 2 of 9 Thus, with the Pearling Trail Project the main challenge was to expand the goal from merely obtaining the UNESCO Site title that may generate global fame for a limited amountamount of of time time and and instead instead create create a a project project that that achieves achieves cultural cultural preservation preservation as as well well as as socioeconomicsocioeconomic revitalization revitalization that that benefits benefits multiple multiple stakeholders. stakeholders. By By correct correct identification identification ofof renovation, renovation, preservation, preservation, and and development development opportunities opportunities along along with with full full cooperation cooperation betweenbetween various various governmental governmental bodies bodies and and the thelocal local community community the project the projec has supersededt has super- theseded status the ofstatus a historical of a historical site into site becoming into becoming a key a player key player in the in area’s the area’s cultural cultural rebirth. rebirth. A modelA model for for upgrading upgrading a cultural a cultural preservation preservation project project to achieve to achieve urban urban regeneration regeneration can can be establishedbe established by studying by studying this this project’s project’s progress. progress.
2.2. History: History: CenturiesCenturiesof ofPearl PearlDiving Diving and and Trade Trade LocatedLocated in in the the Arabian Arabian Gulf, Gulf, the the archipelago archipelago of theof the Kingdom Kingdom of Bahrain of Bahrain is famous is famous for beingfor being a historic a historic trade trade point point along along with with its rich its pearlrich pearl fisheries. fisheries. Part ofPart Dilmun of Dilmun during during the Bronzethe Bronze Age, present-timeAge, present- Bahrain’stime Bahrain’s location loca madetion itmade the top it the trading top trading destination. destination It linked. It thelinked Indus the Valley Indus and Valley Mesopotamia and Mesopotamia and was knownand was since known then since for high then quality for high pearls quality [2]. Throughoutpearls [2]. Throughout its history, Bahrainits history, was Bahrain ruled bywas different ruled by empires different and empires referred and to referred by many to differentby many names, different yet names, what remain yet what constant rema isin itsconstant flourishing is its pearlingflourishing industry. pearling Specifically, industry. theSpecifically, island city the of Muharraqisland city was of Muharraq the main pointwas the for tradingmain point and for producing trading pearland producing products, aspearl the thirdproducts, largest as citythe third and the largest island’s city capitaland the until island’s 1932 capital [2]. While until the 1932 Gulf [2 region]. While as the a wholeGulf region was famed as a whole for its was pearls, famed Bahraini for its pearls pearls, were, Bahraini and continue pearls were, to be, and higher continue in quality to be, andhigher approximately in quality and 40% approximately more expensive 40% to more buy [expensive3]. During to the buy golden [3]. During age of Bahrain’sthe golden pearlingage of Bahrain’s industry, pearling this level industry, of quality this attracted level of worldquality renowned attracted world jeweler renowned Jacques Cartier, jeweler whoJacques continuously Cartier, who visited continuously Muharraq visited from 1910 Muharraq to 1923 andfrom was 1910 heavily to 1923 influenced and was byheavily the Arabinfluenced and Eastern by the lifestyle, Arab and allowing Eastern it lifestyle, to inspire allowing his art-deco it to designsinspire (Figurehis art-1deco)[ 4]. designs Thus, as(Figure a trade 1)center, [4]. Thus, the as Muharraq a trade center, marketplace, the Muharraq or ‘souq’ marketplace, in Arabic, or developed ‘souq’ in intoArabic, a hub de- ofvelope internationald into a hub trade of and international business. Cafestrade thatand servedbusiness. traditional Cafes that tea served and snacks traditional nestled tea alongsideand snacks jewelry nestled shops, alongside clothing jewelry stores, shops, and sweetsclothing shops, stores, catering and sweets to the shops, tradesmen catering who to wouldthe tradesmen need a meeting who would spot toneed discuss a meeting trade spot and thento discuss purchase trade souvenirs and then beforepurchase traveling souve- backnirs homebefore [ 5traveling]. back home [5].
FigureFigure 1. 1.1911, 1911, Jacques Jacques Cartier Cartier in in a a meeting meeting with with Bahraini Bahraini pearl pearl merchants. merchants. (Smith, (Smith, 2015). 2015).
However,However, three three global global events events in in the the 1930s 1930s initiated initiated the the downfall downfall of of the the Bahraini Bahraini pearl pearl industry:industry: AA depressiondepression followingfollowing thethe firstfirst WorldWorld WarWar that that reduced reduced global global demand demand for for expensiveexpensive jewelry, jewelry including, including pearls, pearls, the the discovery discovery of of oil oil on on the the island island redirected redirected economic economic investments,investments, andand the the perfection perfection of of cultured cultured pearls pearls by by Japan. Japan. The The last last one one held held the the most most influence,influence, with with the the Bahraini Bahraini government government going going as as far far as as prohibiting prohibiting the the import, import, transport, transport, sale,sale, possession, possession, or or manufacture manufacture of of cultured cultured pearls pearls in in 1930 1930 as as King’s King’s Regulation Regulation No.1 No.1 of of thatthat year. year. Regardless Regardless of of the the local local ban, ban, the the global global demand demand for for cheaper cheaper cultured cultured pearls pearls had had a direct impact on the merchants, ship captains, nearly 30,000 pearl divers, and by extension, Muharraq as a whole, plunging them into financial difficulty [6]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 3 of 9
The downfall of the traditional pearling industry fueled the ambition to modernize the city Muharraq, which was urbanized during the 1950s and 1960s through land reclamation on the waterfront, widening roads, and incorporating new motorways [6]. For the most part, Muharraq maintained the basic layout of a traditional Islamic town as per custom in the region. Still, the modernization of traditional houses and construction of new buildings to provide low-cost housing for the Bahraini lower or middle classes posed a severe challenge to the conservation of the historical urban architecture. As noted by historians, it appears that the government did not realize the historic significance of the area until the 1980s, and quickly took legislative preventative measures to preserve the buildings in the area [7]. Nonetheless, this led to a further decline of the area due to three factors: first, many traditional buildings were unlivable as they were in desperate need of renovation. Second, the government had limited any changes to only the buildings’ interior as per conservation laws, leading to haphazard modernization work. Finally, the combination of these two factors together along with the oil boom drove the original inhabitants out of the area, leading owners to sublease these buildings to Southeast Asian migrant laborers at low cost as many of the buildings were inhabitable [8]. With a growing population of low-class laborers and patchy regulations that allowed multistory buildings to spring up randomly in the area, the once glorious ‘souq’ became a destination for buying cheap wares and small businesses catering to low-income immigrants [7].
3. Decision: Recovering the Pearl Despite the governments’ best intentions in the past, lack of overall planning hindered genuine preservation and regeneration of the area. The government had made significant efforts to preserve the pearling industry in Bahrain, by banning cultured pearls and creating pearl authentication labs. However, this effort did not extend to the customer facing platform, the souq itself [9]. Additionally, practitioners of the pearl trade and remaining residents of the area found themselves longing for the glorious past, as they found the old souq overcrowded by low skill laborers and the place itself marred with wires and badly placed modern fixings [9]. Simultaneously, the demographic change to the area attracted beggars and common muggers [10]. Residents filed complaints and filled newspapers with grievances as their petitions to rebuild or fix the traditional buildings were rejected due to preservation laws [10,11]. In 2006, due to the continuous complaints about the unlivable state of the buildings, the government had plans to tear down all the traditional buildings in the area and build a new shopping mall. However, a protest to this plan headed by Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, present Minister of Culture, succeeded in stopping this from happening [12]. The government’s prior acknowledgment of this area’s historical and cultural significance is evident through the heavy preservation laws, funding of archaeological teams to study the area and the renovation of Sheikh Isa House starting in the 1970s [7]. However, the leadership of Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa would organize these efforts more effectively and expand the project to revitalize the island. Hence, the consistent nudging of residents and people in the pearl industry, alongside a governmental recognition of the cultural value that could support the tourism vision for Bahrain, led to the start of the Pearling Trail project.
4. Development: A Combination of Efforts As mentioned before, conservation and development efforts were previously atomistic, functioning on a micro-level only without a proper macro-level goal. Furthermore, efforts focused only on preservation and protecting the past without giving life to it again. The primary pearl diving seashore and the individual sites in Muharraq all have national protection as designated national monuments since 2010 under the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, the three oyster beds and their marine buffer zone were generally protected since 2011 at a national level as per a legislative decree that designates these types of sites Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 9
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 4 of 9 Moreover, the three oyster beds and their marine buffer zone were generally protected since 2011 at a national level as per a legislative decree that designates these types of sites asas national national marine marine protected protected areas areas under under the the Fisheries Fisheries Directorate Directorate and and Supreme Supreme Council Council forfor the the Environment Environment [ 13[13].]. OnOn May May 2008, 2008, Bahrain Bahrain officially officially submitted submitted Muharraq’s Muharraq’s pearling pearling industry industry areas areas to to be be includedincluded on on the the tentative tentative listlist forfor UNESCOUNESCO WorldWorld Heritage Heritage SiteSite underunder thethe titletitle “Pearling”“Pearling” (Figure(Figure2 ).2). In In 20102010 UNESCOUNESCO askedasked Bahrain to to expand expand upon upon this this proposal proposal with with details details re- regardinggarding the the project’s project’s phasing phasing and and implementation, arrangement of thethe urbanurban buildings,buildings, thethe methodologymethodology forfor optimizingoptimizing thethe preservationpreservation ofof thethe originaloriginal fabricfabric ofof thethe city,city, and and informationinformation on on the the necessary necessary skills skills that that will will be be utilized utilized in in the the restoration restoration of of the the decorative decorative woodworkwoodwork andand plasterworkplasterwork [[14].14]. By 2012, 2012, Bahrain Bahrain returned returned with with full full details details on on conserva- conser- vationtion and and management management processes, processes, architectural architectural and and urban urban conservation, conservation, initiatives initiatives for for ca- capacitypacity building building and and minor minor extension extension of ofthe the boundaries. boundaries. Leading Leading on this on thisproject, project, the Min- the Ministryistry of Culture of Culture hashas managed managed to identify to identify the theheritage heritage importance importance of more of more than than just just the thethree three off- off-shoreshore oyster oyster beds, beds, by byincluding including a part a part of the of the seashore seashore at the at the southern southern tip tipof the of theisland island as aswell well as asseventee seventeenn buildings buildings that that form form an an essential essential part part of thethe urbanurban fabricfabric ofof MuharraqMuharraq [ 15[15].].
FigureFigure 2.2. A map of of the the Pearling Pearling Trail Trail Project, Project, detailing detailing the the three three oyster oyster beds, beds, 17 17buildings, buildings, and and sea- seashore.shore. (UNESCO). (UNESCO).
TheThe inclusioninclusion of multiple historical historical buildings buildings located located in ina bustling a bustling shopping shopping and and res- residentialidential area area introduced introduced a complex a complex new new dimension dimension to the to project, the project, evolving evolving from from an envi- an environmentalronmental preservation preservation project project to toa ahistorical historical and and cultural cultural conservation andand restorationrestoration projectproject that that spanned spanned 3.5 3.5 km. km. Beyond Beyond the the items items listed listed in in the the UNESCO UNESCO submission, submission, Bahrain Bahrain decideddecided toto expand the the project project to to include include a further a further 12 12buildings, buildings, the theestablishment establishment of mul- of multipletiple open open spaces, spaces, car carparks parks for forresidents residents and and visitors visitors to the to thearea, area, and and renovation renovation of 750 of 750house house facades.facades. This This decision decision pushed pushed the bud the budgetget for the for project the project from from $39.7$39.7 million million to $47.9to $47.9million million [16]. [16]. ToTo accomplish accomplish such such a a feat, feat, direct direct partnership partnership withwith anan expertexpert waswas requiredrequired andand step-step- pingping in in was was Britta Britta Rudolff, Rudolff, a a UNESCO UNESCO WorldWorld Affairs Affairs counselor counselor who who took took on on the the role role of of heritageheritage advisoradvisor toto thethe BahrainiBahraini government [17]. [17]. Furthermore, Furthermore, the the added added involvement involvement of of1212 government government bodiesbodies and and heavy heavy reliance reliance on on owners owners of the homes andand peoplepeople fromfrom the the pearlpearl trading trading industry industry for for their their cooperation, cooperation, feedback feedback and and support support in in terms terms of of information information andand resourcesresources require requiredd an an advanced advanced level level of of communication communication and and organization organization [18,19]. [18, 19Ad-]. Additionally,ditionally, Bahrain’s Bahrain’s decision decision to to hire hire a a mobility mobility consultant to identifyidentify pedestrianpedestrian spacesspaces and parking spaces while accounting for cultural habits, the overall layout and climate factors is emblematic of the government’s plans for Muharraq [20]. Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 9
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 5 of 9 and parking spaces while accounting for cultural habits, the overall layout and climate factors is emblematic of the government’s plans for Muharraq [20]. TheThe projectproject beganbegan byby firstfirst renovatingrenovating andand refurbishingrefurbishing thethe 1717 buildingsbuildings listed,listed, fromfrom simplesimple homeshomes and and shops shops to to big big palaces palaces and and mosques. mosques. The The Shaikh Shaikh Ebrahim Ebrahim Bin MohammedBin Moham- al-Khalifamed al-Khalifa house house was rebuilt was rebuilt and converted and converted into a Center into a forCenter Culture for Culture and Research and Research in 2002, andin 2002, under and the under Ministry the Ministry of Culture, of becameCulture,the became key manager the key manager of renovation of renovation and cultural and projectscultural inprojects the area. in the Through area. Through the Center’s the Center’s work with work establishing with establishing community community centers andcen- caftersés, and it is cafés, apparent it is apparent that Center’s that goalCenter’s is to engagegoal is to in engage “soft” initiatives in “soft” initiatives as opposed as to opposed “hard” initiativesto “hard” suchinitiatives as physical such restorationas physical workrestoration as per Shaikhawork as Mai’sper Shaikha vision [Mai’s12]. For vision example, [12]. whileFor example, the Center while itself the maintained Center itself a largemaintained part of a its large original part of historical its original architecture, historical itarchi- has beentecture, mainly it has rebuilt been tomainly accommodate rebuilt to a accommodate public hall for locala public art andhall culturefor local events art and (Figure culture3). Moreover,events (Figure by upholding 3). Moreover, a restoration by upholding policy a restoration focused not policy on the focused preservation not on ofthe cultural preser- heritagevation of in cultural its existing heritage state in but its instead existing identifying state but instead and anticipating identifying active and useanticipati of historicalng ac- buildings,tive use of the historical adaptive buildings, re-utilization the adaptive of these re traditional-utilization structures of these playedtraditional a vital structures role in elevatingplayed a vital the Pearling role in elevating Trail into the an Pearling urban regeneration Trail into an project urban [regeneration12]. Most noteworthy project [12]. is howMost these noteworthy initiatives is how prioritized these initiatives utilization prioritized by local residents utilization above by developing local residents them above into touristdeveloping resources, them effectivelyinto tourist ensuring resources, longevity effectively of use. ensuring longevity of use.
FigureFigure 3.3. TheThe theatretheatre insideinside ShaikhShaikh EbrahimEbrahim CenterCenter forfor CultureCulture andand Research,Research, showingshowing partpart ofof thethe ancientancient wallwall blendedblended inin withwith thethe modernmodern design.design. (Bahrain(Bahrain MinistryMinistry ofof Culture).Culture).
AlthoughAlthough implementingimplementing identicalidentical repairsrepairs onon eacheach buildingbuilding wouldwould havehave beenbeen moremore straightforward,straightforward, as per the the studies studies conducted, conducted, it itbecame became apparent apparent that that each each building building re- requiredquired varying varying levels levels of ofrenovation renovation and and needed needed to be to repurposed be repurposed differently differently [7]. [This7]. This was wasadvantageous advantageous to the to project the project’s’s success. success. Post-renovations, Post-renovations, some someof the ofbuildings the buildings host exhib- host exhibitsits about about the historythe history of the ofthe pearling pearling industry, industry, traditional traditional medicine, medicine, and and Bahrain’s first first newspaper.newspaper. Others Others function function as as centers centers for for preserving preserving specific specific local local crafts, crafts, such such as as the the Kurar Ku- Houserar House dedicated dedicated to teaching to teaching the art the of goldart of embroidery gold embroidery [15]. Historical [15]. Historical documents, documents, pictures andpictures important and important tools were tools collected were collected from homeowners from homeowners and national and national archives archives and placed and inplaced glass in displays glass displays where appropriate.where appropriate As renovations. As renovations took place, took theplace, Ministry the Ministry installed in- bi-lingualstalled bi- signagelingual signage throughout throughout the area the in order area in to order direct to people direct to people these to traditional these traditional houses. houses.In particular, the renovation of the Siyadi properties, which included a mosque, two residencesIn particular and, most, the importantly, renovation a of series the Siyadi of shops properties, and storehouses which playedincluded an a indispensable mosque, two roleresidences in revitalizing and, mo thest importantly local economy., a series These of stores shops were and leased storehouses to ambitious played entrepreneurs an indispen- whosable worked role in revitalizing with the Ministry the local of economy. Culture to These create stores cafés were and leased shops thatto ambitious preserved entre- the traditionalpreneurs who Bahraini worked architecture with the yet Ministry fitted with of Culture modern to facilities create cafés to create and a shops unique that experi- pre- ence.served A the perfect tradi exampletional Bahraini is “Saffron”, architecture a café serving yet fitted traditional with modern Bahraini facilities food with to create a glass a flooringunique experience. to showcase A the perfect property’s example original is “Saffron”, purpose a as café a “madbasa”, serving traditional which is Bahraini where dates food werewith traditionallya glass flooring made to intoshowcase syrup the [21 ].property’s This combination original ofpurpose a historical as a setting,“madbasa” traditional, which foodis where and moderndates were caf étraditionallyservice created made an interactiveinto syrup atmosphere[21]. This combination for people toof thoroughlya historical immersesetting, traditional themselves food in the and area’s modern history. café The service shops created and caf anés housedinteractive in these atmosphere traditional for structures offer various degrees of traditionalism and modernization, from hip cultural Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 9 Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 9
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 6 of 9 people to thoroughly immerse themselves in the area’s history. The shops and cafés people to thoroughly immerse themselves in the area’s history. The shops and cafés housed in these traditional structures offer various degrees of traditionalism and modern- housed in these traditional structures offer various degrees of traditionalism and modern- ization, from hip cultural art fixtures to historical mini-exhibits, showcasing the level of ization, from hip cultural art fixtures to historical mini-exhibits, showcasing the level of artcooperation fixtures to between historical the mini-exhibits, Ministry of Culture showcasing and the the entrepreneurs. level of cooperation between the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the entrepreneurs. MinistryThe ofBu Culture Maher andfort the(Figure entrepreneurs. 4), representing the start of the Pearling Trail has been The Bu Maher fort (Figure 4), representing the start of the Pearling Trail has been renovatedThe Bu since Maher 2010, fort and (Figure was made4), representing fit for visitors the with start light of the decorations Pearling Trail within has the been fort renovated since 2010, and was made fit for visitors with light decorations within the fort renovatedand a dedicated since 2010, visitor’s and wascenter made and fit mini for visitors-museum with next light to decorations it. This building within is the one fort of and the and a dedicated visitor’s center and mini-museum next to it. This building is one of the amany dedicated examples visitor’s of modern center structures and mini-museum built with next thoughtful to it. This design building to act is as one an ofinformation the many many examples of modern structures built with thoughtful design to act as an information examplespoint along of modernthe trail structuresand includes built a withboat tour thoughtful that connects design tothe act island as an of information Muharraq pointto the point along the trail and includes a boat tour that connects the island of Muharraq to the alongisland the of trailManama andincludes and the aNational boat tour Museum. that connects The Ministry the island also of Muharraqdecided to to rebuild the island the ofAl island of Manama and the National Museum. The Ministry also decided to rebuild the Al ManamaKhalifiya and Library, the National demolished Museum. in the The 1980s, Ministry even also though decided it is to not rebuild under the the Al KhalifiyaUNESCO Khalifiya Library, demolished in the 1980s, even though it is not under the UNESCO Library,World Heritage demolished listing in the[22]. 1980s, This evendecision though is one it isof not many under that the represents UNESCO the World government’s Heritage World Heritage listing [22]. This decision is one of many that represents the government’s listingdetermination [22]. This to decision expand is the one renovation of many that efforts represents beyond the the government’s original UNESCO determination require- determination to expand the renovation efforts beyond the original UNESCO require- toments. expand Furthermore, the renovation rather efforts than beyond mimic the originalbuilding’s UNESCO old design, requirements. the modern Furthermore, design uses ments. Furthermore, rather than mimic the building’s old design, the modern design uses rathertraditional than materials mimic the and building’s patterns, old giving design, a contemporary the modern design feel to uses the area traditional without materials appear- traditional materials and patterns, giving a contemporary feel to the area without appear- anding inharmonious. patterns, giving The a contemporary library also serves feel to as the a community area without center, appearing a function inharmonious. that is impos- The ing inharmonious. The library also serves as a community center, a function that is impos- librarysible to alsoassign serves to one as of a communitythe UNESCO center, listed abuildings function due that to is fear impossible of damaging to assign those to struc- one sible to assign to one of the UNESCO listed buildings due to fear of damaging those struc- oftures the with UNESCO frequent listed public buildings use. The due care to fear taken of damagingto create these those mini structures-exhibits with along frequent the 3.5 tures with frequent public use. The care taken to create these mini-exhibits along the 3.5 publickm stretch use. Thereflects care the taken cultural to create identity these of mini-exhibits Bahrain without along thean intransigent 3.5 km stretch museum reflects thefeel km stretch reflects the cultural identity of Bahrain without an intransigent museum feel cultural[23]. As identityper the mobility of Bahrain consultation, without an the intransigent government museum also renovated feel [23]. the As streets per the and mobility fitted [23]. As per the mobility consultation, the government also renovated the streets and fitted consultation,the area with the multiple government public also spaces renovated for people the streetsto rest, and using fitted traditional the area withmaterials multiple and the area with multiple public spaces for people to rest, using traditional materials and publicnatural spaces elements for peopleto create to microclimat rest, using traditionales and serve materials as guidance and natural along the elements path (Figure to create 5) natural elements to create microclimates and serve as guidance along the path (Figure 5) microclimates[1]. and serve as guidance along the path (Figure5)[1]. [1].
FigureFigure 4.4. InteriorInterior ofof thethe BuBu MaherMaher FortFort (Bahrain(Bahrain MinistryMinistry ofof Culture).Culture). Figure 4. Interior of the Bu Maher Fort (Bahrain Ministry of Culture).
Figure 5. Example of a microclimate incorporating pearl symbolism and natural elements (Aga FigureKhanFigure Development 5. 5.Example Example of ofNetwork). a microclimate a microclimate incorporating incorporating pearl pearl symbolism symbolism and natural and natural elements elements (Aga Khan (Aga DevelopmentKhan Development Network). Network).
Finally, the power given to the Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research to be the primary mediator and organizer that communicates with the public and lobbies private Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 7 of 9
organizations for funding, allows for continuous use of the buildings [24]. By hosting multiple events and creating centers for teaching old crafts along with providing the public with information, the area is kept alive and bustling at appropriate times throughout the year while encouraging the local economy.
5. Results: A City Brought Back to Life After the submission in 2008, the Pearling Trail project was completed as per UN- ESCO’s requirements and gained the World Heritage Site title in 2012, yet it was not until 2021 that it was completed as per the goals Bahrain set for itself. The creative use of the traditional houses, the addition of other modern buildings to act as cultural centers, and the incorporation of public spaces for pedestrians and cars collectively allowed for business and cultural activity to flow back to the area. Comparing the Pearling Trail to Bahrain’s other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the differences in terms of the effectiveness of this project become apparent. The area around the Bahrain Fort was not developed to its full potential, and the fort itself is still sparingly used as one of the venues for Bahrain’s Spring of Culture activities. Additionally, the absence of proper direction of visitor traffic to the area and the scarce parking amenities along the beach make the site difficult to access for non-locals. Finally, the lack of government incentivization for locals to host more activities makes it no more than a quick stop for any visiting tourist who would otherwise have no awareness of the scheduling of local activities in the area. The absence of new infrastructure that can be used freely, the difficulty of access to the area, and no plans for sustainable use of the space make this site a lost opportunity for further socioeconomic development. Hypothetically, incorporating a boat tour, or adding more infrastructure could encourage more local businesses to setup shop along the beachside, enhancing the site’s cultural and economic importance. In comparison, the Pearling Trail plays host to multi-faceted education and cultural events and businesses, brought to life by government and local efforts. The study of local transportation and pedestrian behaviors increased the attractiveness of the location for cultural events. The use of a boat tour as a point of connection between the National Museum and Bu Maher fort as the entrance to the area takes advantage of Bahrain as an island and creates a unique experience. The sprinkling of cultural centers throughout the trail allows for diversified use of the space. In an assessment of venues hosting events during Bahrain’s Annual Spring of Culture Festival, the area’s elevation into a functioning cultural center becomes vividly clear. Between 2008 and 2019, the number of events hosted in venues within the Pearling Trail doubled, thanks to the efforts of the Shaikh Ebrahim Center. Moreover, a walkathon of the Pearling Trail has become a staple in the annual festival since 2017, a testament to how the area has become more walkable and attractive for visitors compared to its previous downtrodden state [25]. Furthermore, Muharraq was selected as the Islamic Capital of Culture for 2018, recog- nized as per the criteria for its documented historical authenticity, outstanding contribution to knowledge and learning that singles it out in the country and the region, and a significant input in Islamic culture and human culture in general [26]. This created an opportunity for further planning of Islamic family friendly events that would change the tourist de- mographic of the country from weekend party seekers to Muslim family travelers, and redirects the investment in the tourism industry from hotels to events. This demographic change also means the inpour of revenue into more legitimate businesses that are tourist and family-friendly [27,28]. In recognition of the project’s design, the Pearling Trail has received the Aga Khan Award in 2019, which recognized the storytelling aspect of the trail for its inclusion thematic materials and pearl symbolism in the design of all spaces [1]. This award adds to the international recognition of the project and Bahrain’s efforts. Bahraini footfalls in the area now have increased, popularizing the city as a weekend site for visiting by artists, families and elders. The mini-exhibits, restaurants and shops, and Sustainability 2021, 13, 6629 8 of 9
usable public spaces have attracted more people to the area. Those who previously wrote of their longing for the past and positive change filled local newspapers with praise for the project’s impact [29]. Urban renewal is highlighted by new local markets and reviving the culture and history of the people.
6. Conclusions: A Successful Project In conclusion, a project of this scale is complicated, requiring heavy reliance on the cooperation of people, deep research, and a continuous need to step back to look at the whole picture. In analyzing the Pearling Trail’s progress, three factors elevated the project from a conservation project to the urban regeneration of Muharraq; project expansion, focus on sustainability, improvement of access. As UNESCO is more focused on preservation, expanding the project to include other sites and public spaces incorporated more of the city into the project and improved sustainability and access. The additional buildings, public spaces, and car parks allow for easier physical access to an area that was previously deemed unsightly and unsafe. As the historical buildings must be protected, the new structures allow for more unrestricted use of the space for cultural activity, events, and business opportunities to arise, increasing revenue in the area. By establishing the Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research as the leader of soft initiatives in Muharraq, continuous access to culture and proper utilization of the facilities is ensured. Upon completion of the project in 2021, the Ministry of Culture, visitors, and residents alike all praise the transformation of the city [29]. The success of this project creates a model for inspiring similar regeneration of other areas in Bahrain. The capital of Manama is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the title submission of “Manama, City of Trade, Multiculturalism and Religious Coexistence” since 2018 [30]. There are various resemblances between the two cities, including historically and culturally valuable buildings, a fall into disrepair due to mixed conservation efforts, influx of migrant laborers, and residents’ eagerness for renewal and rejuvenation. By studying the Pearling Trail project and identifying key success factors, it is possible to use it as a blueprint for the old Manama souq area’s Urban Regeneration that will allow the area to reach its full socioeconomic potential.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, H.T.N. and J.L; methodology, J.L.; validation, H.T.N., J.L. and H.C.; formal analysis, H.T.N.; writing—original draft preparation, H.T.N.; writing—review and editing, J.L.; supervision, J.L. and H.C.; project administration, J.L.; funding acquisition, J.L and H.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This work was supported by the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Research Fund. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable. Data Availability Statement: All data is past publishments and news reports. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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