Publications

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M., et al., 2016. Salalah al-Wusta & Gharbiya, Dhofar Governorate: Documentation and Heritage Management and Development Plan.

Summary

The following document proposes a detailed and comprehensive strategy for the preservation and development of the heritage quarters of Salalah in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman. The aims are, as agreed with the Sultanate’s Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the creation and implementation of a sustainable heritage management strategy, which will ensure the survival of Salalah’s ancient heritage as well as provide an opportunity to showcase said heritage to stakeholders and visitors. During on-site fieldwork in the Autumn of 2015, it became evident that Salalah’s vernacular heritage was in a very advanced state of decay and that the vernacular quarters of the city exhibit a very high
density of population. With this in mind the research team felt that what is needed in Salalah is an urban renewal plan which can add value, economic dynamism and a better quality of life and thus aid in the effort to preserve the architectural heritage.

The plan was produced by the University of Liverpool’s research team. The interdisciplinary team of researchers, comprised of architects, archaeologists, anthropologists and tourism experts, has substantial experience working in the Sultanate of Oman with past projects including the Bahla WHS, Birkat al-Mawz, Harat al-Yemen in Izki, Fanja, Ibri, Al-Mudayrib and several others.

In addition to a substantial amount of fieldwork by an international team of 6 researchers over the course of 2 weeks, this proposal draws substantially on past studies and plans drafted for Salalah and the broader Dhofari region by a range of international researchers. A complete and detailed bibliography of the sources consulted and cited is included at the end of this document.