Pedagogy 2025
Abstract
This paper examines the transformation of Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed district through the lens of adaptive reuse and urban revitalization. Once a vital port and commercial hub, Mina Zayed is now undergoing redevelopment into MiZa, a cultural and economic destination that integrates heritage preservation with contemporary design. The study highlights adaptive reuse as a sustainable approach to urban development, drawing on international precedents such as Tate Modern and Alserkal Avenue, and local interventions including Warehouse 421. By exploring architectural and interior design studio projects at Zayed University and Abu Dhabi University, the paper emphasizes the pedagogical value of adaptive reuse in reimagining industrial sites for community, cultural, and environmental benefits. The findings underscore how thoughtful design strategies, such as material reuse, contextual interventions, and spatial reconfiguration can balance modernization with cultural identity, setting a precedent for future urban development in the UAE.
Basem is a designer, researcher, and educator. He has completed his Doctoral degree at McGill University School of Architecture, where he developed a digital platform for mass customization of prefabricated housing systems. His research and design work focus on design processes, information technology, computational design methods and fabrication tools to rethink the housing realm. He has received multiple awards to implement his research findings in collaboration with leading prefab housing companies in Quebec.
Katarzyna Tracz
Maruan Halabi
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Wednesday 19th November, 2025