For many Dubai residents, names like Shabiyyat Al-Shorta and Shabiyyat Al-Defa’a might not ring a bell, but mention City Walk, and the memories come rushing back. These once-thriving neighbourhoods were gradually replaced as Dubai transformed over the past decade. Yet, for former residents like Thabit Al Mawaly, a former member of Al-Defa’a, the memories of those areas remain etched in his mind. In the foreword to the newly released book ‘Spaces That Remain’—a collaboration between Emirati urban history expert and author Rashed Almulla, and photographer Jalal Abuthina—Al Mawaly shares his fond recollections of a close-knit community that defined his old neighbourhood.
Preserving Old Dubai through Pictures
The book follows two exhibitions, curated by Almulla, held in 2022 and 2023. The first took place at The Mosque of Reflection (Abdulsalam Al Rafi Mosque)—the only surviving remnant of the lost neighbourhood—and the second at the Bayt Al Mamzar art space.
“We wanted to turn these photographs into a reference point for Dubai’s history,” said Almulla. The publication features photos from Abuthina, who documented the area monthly from 2006 until its demolition, as well as maps, anecdotes, and insights from former residents.
“We put a lot of effort into making the book interactive and immersive,” said Almulla. It includes additional merchandise for purchase, such as postcards, keychains, and tote bags, as part of the effort to preserve the city’s rich history.
Discovery of 'Unseen Dubai'
Almulla’s journey into this project began in 2019 when he stumbled upon a photobook titled ‘Unseen Dubai’ by Abuthina at a bookstore in New York. The cover of the book caught his attention, showing two men walking out of a mosque with the Burj Khalifa in the background. To Almulla’s surprise, his family identified one of the men as his grandfather. This discovery sparked his curiosity to reconnect with his childhood memories and track down Abuthina for the project.
Nostalgia for the Neighbourhoods
Abuthina’s decision to document the neighbourhoods began in 2006, initially without a specific aim. However, as he realized that the areas were gradually being demolished for redevelopment, he made it a conscious effort to preserve them through photographs.
The photographer describes these neighbourhoods as a “pocket of time,” where the sounds of daily life—children playing in the streets, families gathering, and the hum of a small neighbourhood supermarket—resonated against the futuristic backdrop of Dubai’s skyline.
“They always felt like a place from another time, untouched, and that’s where its charm lay,” said Abuthina. Many residents, including those like Al Mawaly, still miss the sense of community they once enjoyed.
A New Era
The book reflects how the neighbourhoods changed over the years, with Almulla recalling how, upon returning to Dubai after studying abroad, he found an entirely new urban landscape replacing his childhood surroundings. The stories shared by former residents highlight the sense of loss, but also gratitude for the new homes and compensation they received.
Almulla emphasized the importance of documenting and preserving such spaces, stating that every memory and place contributes to our emotional connection to the land we inhabit.
Preserving Dubai’s Heritage
The book, published by Swalif Publishing House in collaboration with Almulla’s non-governmental collective Mabnai, seeks to encourage similar efforts to document and preserve fading neighbourhoods in the city. Almulla and Abuthina’s work has been supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth’s National Grant for Creativity.
Salem Al Suwaidi, founder of Swalif, praised the book for its focus on preserving the stories of ordinary people. “This book lets you sit, reflect, and experience lives that are often overlooked, but it is these moments that define a city,” he said.
The creators hope their work inspires others to document their histories and preserve Dubai’s rapidly changing urban fabric for future generations.
