emirates7 - The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that Al Ain City will host the 14th Terra World Congress on Earthen Architectural Heritage from April 13th to 16th, 2026. This event, organized by the International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ICOMOS-ISCEAH), focuses on various aspects of earthen architecture, including archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, new and ancient construction techniques. The goal is to encourage research, innovation, and the preservation and celebration of earthen architecture.
Al Ain’s selection as the host for 2026 marks a major achievement for the UAE, making it the first Arab nation to hold this prestigious event, further establishing the country’s influence in the field of earthen architecture globally and regionally.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Under-Secretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that the UAE's hosting of the Terra World Congress is a significant milestone, highlighting the country’s growing leadership in heritage preservation and earthen architecture. He emphasized that the event will provide an important platform for collaboration on best practices for conserving earthen architectural heritage and promoting sustainable construction methods. The congress will bring together global researchers and professionals in the field, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for innovation and excellence in earthen architecture.
The overarching theme for Terra 2026, proposed by DCT Abu Dhabi, is ‘Managing Change in Earthen Cultural Landscapes’. The event will address sub-themes including ‘Transmitting Earthen Heritage and Architecture’, ‘Safeguarding Earthen Cultural Landscapes’, ‘Innovations in Earthen Architecture’, and ‘Resilience to Vulnerabilities of Earthen Cultural Landscapes’. These topics will focus on preserving knowledge and skills, sharing conservation approaches, exploring new techniques, and addressing threats to earthen cultural landscapes.
Leading up to the congress, DCT Abu Dhabi will collaborate with local and international organizations to host various initiatives that promote and enhance the field of earthen architecture. The call for paper submissions is now open via the link: https://terraalain2026.ae.
Al Ain’s selection as the host for 2026 marks a major achievement for the UAE, making it the first Arab nation to hold this prestigious event, further establishing the country’s influence in the field of earthen architecture globally and regionally.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Under-Secretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that the UAE's hosting of the Terra World Congress is a significant milestone, highlighting the country’s growing leadership in heritage preservation and earthen architecture. He emphasized that the event will provide an important platform for collaboration on best practices for conserving earthen architectural heritage and promoting sustainable construction methods. The congress will bring together global researchers and professionals in the field, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for innovation and excellence in earthen architecture.
The overarching theme for Terra 2026, proposed by DCT Abu Dhabi, is ‘Managing Change in Earthen Cultural Landscapes’. The event will address sub-themes including ‘Transmitting Earthen Heritage and Architecture’, ‘Safeguarding Earthen Cultural Landscapes’, ‘Innovations in Earthen Architecture’, and ‘Resilience to Vulnerabilities of Earthen Cultural Landscapes’. These topics will focus on preserving knowledge and skills, sharing conservation approaches, exploring new techniques, and addressing threats to earthen cultural landscapes.
Leading up to the congress, DCT Abu Dhabi will collaborate with local and international organizations to host various initiatives that promote and enhance the field of earthen architecture. The call for paper submissions is now open via the link: https://terraalain2026.ae.