The Impact of Globalization on Culture and The Architectural Identity (The Case of the United Arab Emirates)

Enormous economic and cultural changes took place in the world generated by globalization. There is a great concern in applying Western concepts, which represent only one choice among the many possible, to solve problems of other areas, instead of looking at them in terms of local way of life. Air-conditioned, glass covered buildings and architecture styles borrowed from the west are used by architects in the design of new buildings. The use of latest construction technology and materials is unchallenged. This trend results in an ​architecture that has no identity or relation to the context in which it is being built.

This paper aims to study the influence of globalization on the cultural identity and final products of architecture design through examining the impact of globalization on the society and their culture and the new treatments in dealing with architecture. Also, monitoring this influence on the future of architectural identity in the UAE.