*ADEN’S ANCIENT CISTERNS* *Historic Preservation, Water Management & Disaster Avoidance*

*ADEN’S ANCIENT CISTERNS*
*Historic Preservation, Water Management & Disaster Avoidance*

The city of Aden, Yemen is a natural harbor on the Red Sea.  Securing a potable water supply has been an issue throughout the city’s long history.  While they have been modified many times over the centuries, the water tanks in Aden have existed for at least 1500 years.  This feature, known in Arabic as “al-saharaj” is an integral part of the city’s urban fabric and cultural heritage. Although the water from the tanks is not considered potable by modern standards, it is a potentially critical resource in a city with no natural supply of fresh water.  Unfortunately, underdevelopment and chronic water shortages render the tanks the only water source in times of crisis. The water has been used in emergencies despite its poor quality.  The pollution of the water is exacerbated by the deteriorated condition of the tanks and the mismanagement of the watershed area.  Planning issues that adversely affect the historic fabric of the water cisterns have also negatively impacted water collection, public health and safety.  Mismanagement of the water system has encouraged the spread of water borne disease and flooding.  These flood events have destroyed property and resulted in the loss of human life. A condition assessment of the water collection system for the purposes of historic preservation was performed in 2007.  The researcher discovered, however, that problems regarding al-saharaj’s historic integrity could not be separated from broader issues of water management.  The preservation of historic fabric had to be addressed in conjunction with water management issues.

*Obrolan Heritage* #21 | 02 - 2018
*RABU 21 Februari 2018*
Pk.17.30 wib
*di kantor PTI Architects*

speaker:
*EDITH DUNN*
MS in Historic Preservation, Columbia University
PhD in Interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies, University of Minnesota

@PTI Architects
Mayapada Tower 2, Lt-17
Jl Jend Sudirman kav 27
Jakarta 12920 (stasiun TransJkt Karet)

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