Muharraq City (Bahrain) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Muharraq City (Bahrain) - Essay Example In the resent years, there has been changing need for globalization that has led to dramatic change in social, economic, political and architectural structures as well within the Middle East countries (Frifelt, 2001, p.13). Bahrain along with its cities has not been left out in the drastic changes that are shaping architectural workmanship of the region. These changes have been greatly influenced by; migration of foreigners from different regions who come along with new ideas and new architectural designs, discovery of oil in Middle East which has completely changed the economical statues of the region, expatriate of Europeans who also brought with them their habits and their social way of life that in away affected their way of building houses as well. This paper looks at existing literature reviews and researches at the changing trends in architectural work in the Middle East region especially in Muharraq as a city within Bahrain islands (Al-Fadhel, 1999, pp. 55-60). Literature Rev iew During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, traditional architecture has greatly dominated Muharraq city. These traditional architectures were characterized by their responsiveness to the social and physical aspects within the social context. The traditional architectural houses were built in a courtyard style that mostly considered the climate and metaphoric religious connections (Belgrave, 1973, p.89). The rooms within traditional architecture houses were built to be multi-functional and their roofs were also used to connect the rooms in upper first floor. The materials used in traditional architecture were mainly local materials with a few combinations with imported ones mostly from Mesopotamia, Iran, East Africa and India (Al-Fadhel, 1999, pp. 55-60). In the tradition architecture, houses were built in a communal manner such a way that houses were absorbed in the big mass. This was to emphasis the social belief of solidarity and loyalty within a community and at the same time emphasis ones social statues within the society (Vinitha, 2003, np). Those deemed to have higher social statues within society like rulers, their houses were built separate from the big mass and the difference could be noted in building materials, architectural elements and the architectural designs that included bigger spacing of everything. The construction methods in architectural work were also simple in terms of elevations among other construction methods in traditional architecture (Al-Muraikhi, 1991, pp.12-18). The traditional architecture started to change its outlook in the beginning of 20th century. During this period there were many changes in social, economic and political landscape of Muharraq city. There was a total increase in population from 70000 to 90000 in 1941 and to 110000 in 1950 in regard to Bahrain as a whole. This large population growth led to change in architectural designs since all people needed accommodation as well as social build ings that could accommodate a much larger number of people than existing ones. This rapid growth in population was mainly attributed to migration of people from neighbouring nations and continents such as India among others (Vinitha, 2003, np). Another major change to Bahrain economy, social, political and architectural landscape was experienced after discovery of oil in 1931. The discovered oil was a resource that brought with it high revenue that had an economic impact in the region as well as a social impact to its people. As much as the government increased its economic statues, individuals within the society also gained higher statues hence the desire for more modernized houses that were in relation to their rising social statues wi