The Italian Legacy in the United Arab Emirates:: The Urban and Industrial Landscape

The history of the contribution of the Italian construction companies and architecture firms in shaping the urban and industrial landscape of the United Arab Emirates.

In the last 20 years, the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have accelerated their urban development thanks to a forceful interplay of international influences. International architects, engineers, builders, designers, manufacturers, and energy companies – many from Italy – have grown their professional networks here, on the global crossroads of the United Arab Emirates, a place of flux where ideas, people, and cultures meet and mingle.

This book presents the seminal findings of an ongoing initiative aiming to document the contribution of Italian companies in shaping the urban and industrial landscape of the UAE. This journey begins from the years prior to the official unification of the Emirates and leads to the present day, including the UAE’s recent Golden Jubilee and Expo 2020 Dubai – the first international exhibition held in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia) region. The volume highlights the expertise and innovations introduced by Italian companies, and confirms the vital creative collaboration established between Italy and the United Arab Emirates.