“Once you see Rabdan Park, take the first turn, go down the road, the second house on the street, that’s our address,” my Dad would always tell the carrier/ delivery service company. To most, this would seem like a dysfunctional and complicated way of wayfinding, and while my dad’s instructions for giving our address always puzzled outsiders, in Abu Dhabi, landmark-based navigation is a deeply ingrained tradition. Before the advent of a formal postal code system, relying on recognizable landmarks was the norm, and for long-time residents, it was an effective method. However, the challenge arises when newcomers unfamiliar with these unconventional directions enter the scene.
To understand the landmark navigation scene in Abu Dhabi, it’s essential first to define the term “landmark” strictly: an object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance.
Landmarks should contrast with their background or have a precise shape or another specific characteristic that makes them prominent. This idea is summed up in the word “conspicuous.” That’s one factor that makes a landmark a landmark; another one is longevity; landmarks stand the test of time, enduring for centuries, and often gain greater significance and reverence as everyone knows about them. Finally, preservation and conservation efforts play a huge role where well-maintained cities protected from damage or destruction are more likely to retain their significance and iconic status over time.
Iconic sites
In Abu Dhabi, a city blending tradition with modernity, landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Etihad Towers may catch the eye, but it’s the older structures like Qasr Al Hosn and neighborhood-specific references that truly define navigation in the city.
Qasr Al Hosn, built as a watchtower in the late 18th century, evolved into a palace and witnessed the city’s transformation over the centuries. Today, it serves as a museum, offering insights into the emirate’s past through exhibits. This landmark is unique because it’s at the heart of the city, one of the oldest buildings in AD, and has been used as a point of reference for navigation around the downtown area for years and years. I realized its significance when I was assigned an assignment for one of my core classes where we had to locate a traditional house in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi. Due to how old it is, it didn’t have a proper address. Instead, our given navigation instructions were “approach Qasr Al Hosn from entrance A, then to your right, you should see a street light, cross that street, and you’ll come across a narrow path that leads to the house’s neighborhood.” Surprisingly, because I have been unconsciously using the Qasr al Hosn building as a reference point for years, I was able to locate the house quickly.
Many other smaller-scale landmarks are nitrous among residents; an example includes the “Mubkara” roundabout, the only way thing preventing my grandma from getting lost on her way to the tailor every week.
Ultimately, that’s the main pillar of landmark navigation in AD: historical significance.
Challenges
This system might be efficient for residents who have lived in the city for years, but what happens when newcomers face this? To investigate, I asked a few of my friends about the navigation experience around the downtown area, and overall, the feedback was that it was challenging for various reasons. The most prominent one was that many establishments had similar names (for example, hundreds of restaurants called “Shawarma Cafeteria”); locating other locations based on common point/landmark names is a significant obstacle. Another common issue many face is the lack of online documentation of these places. Most reference landmarks here in AD are old; however, if you search them online, no results come up; therefore, this proves to be a major setback to a newcomer as well. Finally, the final common issue contrasts with the latter, whereas in a continuously evolving and developing city, things are constantly being built, taken down, renovated, moved around, etc.… Therefore, let’s say you depend on a specific structure as your navigation point; however, the next, due to renovation, it’s gone, and your chances of finding your location are gone too now.
Conclusion
Landmark navigation in Abu Dhabi is deeply rooted in tradition, history, and the unique blend of cultural heritage and modernity. While iconic structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Etihad Towers may dominate the skyline, it is the older, more historically significant landmarks like Qasr Al Hosn and smaller, neighborhood-specific references like the “Mubkhra” roundabout that genuinely shape the way residents navigate their surroundings. However, this traditional approach to navigation poses challenges for newcomers, who may struggle to distinguish between similarly named establishments, lack documentation of landmarks, and contend with the ever-changing urban landscape; therefore, as Abu Dhabi continues to evolve and grow, striking a balance between preserving historical landmarks and adapting to modern developments will be crucial in enhancing navigation efficiency for both residents and visitors alike.