this blog is a developing project that investigates the abandoned village of Jazirat al Hamra, located just outside of Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
the blog is a part of a 2010 master thesis by Gøran Johansen, student at Bergen school of architecture.
with this blog I am focusing on re-establishing a village that has been abandoned for 40 years. this is the only village left in the United Arab Emirates that is still intact, can be preserved and re-developed.
why the blog is called “RE: al jazeerah al za`ab”
the village i am working with is known as jazirat al hamra, the red island. but has also been called jazirat al za`ab a long time ago. the village was primarily occupied by zaabi people, who controlled the village.
I am re-introducing the name, because “jazirat al hamra” refers more now, to the abandoned village, rather than the time that was. for me, it is important to recognise the tribal influence of the za`abi tribe, and what it meant to the area.
if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me on this mail : g.johansen@gmail.com
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