A senior official said that Dubai Municipality is currently in the process of getting the emirate's major historical districts and buildings registered as world heritage sites.
Rashad Mohammed Bukhash, a senior official at the municipality, was quoted by Khaleej Times as saying that he had already made contacts with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) to get the registration.
A subsidiary of Unesco, Icomos is an international non-governmental organisation of professionals dedicated to the conservation of the world's historical monuments and sites, said the daily.
"We have so far received a list of experts to evaluate the buildings in the emirate. We are currently following up the matter with urgency because registering some of the historical buildings as world heritage sites will raise the importance of these buildings to the international level and help boost tourism which the Government of Dubai is promoting on a large scale at present," he said.
He said : "Any alteration, demolition and maintenance to be carried out on the historical buildings of the emirate should be approved by the Historical Buildings Section which has surveyed in 1997 the important buildings which need restoration."
There are about 125 such buildings out of a total 300 historical buildings, he said, adding that the rest are of less historical importance and demolition could be permitted after they are documented professionally.
Among the historical sites of Dubai are the Shindagha, from where Dubai has taken its birth, and Sheikh Saeed's House, which was built in the early 19th century.
Al Fahidi Fort, which became Dubai Museum recently, was built in 1800 and had served as palace, garrison and prison. East of Al Fahidi Fort, the old district of Bastakiya is famous for its courtyard houses and wind-towers. The wind-towers were the airconditioners of those times.
Burj Nahar is one of the three watch-towers which were built for guarding the old city. This renovated watch-tower in Deira is a much photographed heritage site.
Jumeirah Mosque, a city landmark, is one of the largest, most famous and spectacular mosques of the emirate. It has a mixture of medieval Fatimidi tradition and modern Islamic architecture. Known for photography.
There are three main archaeological sites in Dubai, according to sources. They are located in Al Ghusals, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. Al Ghusals and Al Sufooh are over 2000 years old graveyards. Some of the popular recreational parks are Mushrif Park, Creekside Park, Safa Park and Umm Suqueim.
And there is Hatta Fort, which is a picnic spot, is one hour from Dubai, at the foothills of Hajjar mountains – Albawaba.com
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