Large scale development projects and star architecture in the absence of local politics: The case of Abu Dhabi, UAE

In the last decade, scholars and policymakers have paid greater attention to the role of famous designers’ pieces of architecture not only in regenerating urban areas but also in defining a positive and communicative image in the global economic competition among cities. Taking into account the general background of and socio-economic changes in Western countries, this rationale assumes that the use of a well-known architect’s name can give a competitive advantage to a city in many ways. Following this legitimizing narrative, cities now strive for signature architecture, sometimes with little regard to their urban context, their size and role in the global market, the democratic decision making process and the urban effects. Although moderate success in urban regeneration, tourist attraction and economic development may be achieved in some cases, the high expectations of policymakers are often not met. In this sense, a better understanding of this urban issue is relevant for the current debate on urban planning. The manuscript draws on an extensive case study of Abu Dhabi, describing the local institutional framework and planning system, analyzing the oligarchic network and key actors in urban development and providing an in-depth analysis of the Saadiyat Island mega-development project, which includes a cultural district, hotel, retail and residential areas, with spectacular architecture. The local economic and institutional conditions of Abu Dhabi are not common elsewhere, but the city is a significant case of the political, economic and urban criticalities of planning large scale development projects and of collecting pieces of branded architecture in a democratic vacuum.