"Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism" Announce a program "Terra Conference 2026" With the eye

ABU DHABI, 21 JANUARY / WAM / The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced the program for the 14th Terra World Conference on Earthen Architecture, which will be held in the city of Al Ain during the period from 13 to 16 April 2026.

The program will contribute to celebrating and promoting the earthen architectural heritage and enhancing capabilities in this field, based on its main title “Managing change in the earthen cultural landscapes”, in addition to its main sub-axes that include “Transferring knowledge and awareness of earthen heritage and architecture”, “Protecting the earthen architectural cultural landscapes”, “Innovations in the earthen architecture and earthen cultural landscapes”, and “Resilience in the face of vulnerability factors in the earthen cultural landscapes”.

The conference and its program are organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the International Scientific Committee for Earthen Architectural Heritage (ICOMOS-ISCEAH), and are supported by a distinguished network of key international partners, including: the International Center for Earthen Architecture (CRAterre), the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH), the Royal Institute of British Architects GCC Chapter (RIBA GCC), and PROTERRA. And the SoHath – 00 Hands Foundation for Building Artisans, and the international scientific committees of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which include: the International Scientific Committee for the Analysis and Restoration of Heritage Architectural Structures (ICOMOS-ISCARSAH), the International Scientific Committee for Cultural Landscapes (ICOMOS-ISCCL), Al Ain Municipality, and the United Arab Emirates University UAEU.

The introductory program prior to the conference will provide the opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of territorial heritage through a series of specialized, immersive, full-day workshops.

The program will begin with a joint creative community project in one of Al Ain’s historic dirt sites, where the public will be invited to work directly with expert local craftsmen and participate in collectively building the identity of the place.

In the five-day “Earth Architecture Around the World” workshop, a new form of rich interactive experiences unfolds, as 15 skilled craftsmen from three continents showcase their building techniques and share their expertise in this field, in rich exchanges that show how global knowledge supports local craftsmanship.

The “Shaping Earth Digitally: Building a Climate-Responsible Future” workshop will be held at the end of January, where architects, designers, technologists and community members will be invited to experiment with software modeling and robotic fabrication alongside traditional methods. Participants will go through exercises that start from digital concepts to physical prototypes, thus contributing to the design of a climate-responsive earth pavilion.

During the period from April 10 to 12, attendees will participate in a group of workshops that open different horizons for understanding territorial heritage. They can explore the relationship between cultural landscapes and global recognition through the World Heritage and Cultural Landscapes workshop organized by the International Scientific Committee for Cultural Landscapes (ISSCL), or join cultural artisans in the Different Landscapes, Different Ideas workshop organized by the International Scientific Committee for the Analysis and Restoration of Architectural Heritage Structures (ISCEAH) to engage in a day-long dialogue to endorse the findings and recommendations included in the declaration. 14th Terra Congress.

A separate session, the Earthen Urban Settlements Preservation Workshop, organized by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), addresses the complexities related to the preservation of earthen heritage in rapidly developing cities, while the Earthen Heritage Disaster Preparedness Workshop, organized by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH), takes participants to the Qattara Oasis for a practical experience in risk assessment and emergency planning.

From April 13 to 16, the conference will run through a series of keynotes, synchronized sessions and tours, designed to explore various aspects of contemporary knowledge in the field of earthen construction.

Following the synchronous sessions, a set of short activities will be presented in support of the main programme, providing participants with additional opportunities to learn and exchange experiences and knowledge.

Highlights include the launch and presentation of the Strategic Guidance Report by ISCEAH & GCI, which outlines shared priorities for scientific research, conservation, and global cooperation.

Based on this, a dedicated committee on structural building codes and standards organized by ISCARSAH will explore how unified guidelines can support professionals and stakeholders in different regions, and promote a common understanding of earth standards and structural rigidity strategies.

A specialized session on preserving decorative surfaces in earthen architecture, organized by GCI, will also provide more technical insights, focusing on the challenges emerging in preserving delicate finishes and decorations.

Additional perspectives will be provided through a short lecture on the outcomes of the training course on Cultural Heritage Post-Crisis Recovery – ALIPH & ICCROM, which will review lessons learned in the field in the areas of risk mitigation, stabilization, and community-led recovery.

A general seminar presented by the International Center for Earthen Architecture will also discuss the importance of contemporary earthen architecture, and ways to bring traditional materials together with modern design practices. An ICOMOS–ISCEAH Expert Meeting will also be held during the conference days.

There will be two main events that will constitute highlights during the conference days: the TURAB Prize award ceremony, and the announcement of the Terra Landscape-Architectural Award, both of which celebrate innovation and excellence in landscape architecture at the regional and global levels.

During the conference days, participants will have the opportunity to explore the city of Al Ain through a series of specialized interactive tours, which take off on several parallel paths that highlight the city’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Following the conclusion of its work, they will also have the opportunity to join field tours in Abu Dhabi and other emirates, which will provide them with a broader scope to explore the rich soil heritage of the UAE, its cultural landscapes, and conservation initiatives in various locations.

The 14th Terra World Conference on Earthen Architectural Heritage (TERRA 2026) is a global gathering that focuses on all aspects of earthen architecture, including archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, new architecture, as well as ancient and modern earthen construction techniques, and aims to stimulate research and innovation while encouraging the preservation and celebration of earthen architecture.

Choosing the city of Al Ain to host the conference represents a prominent achievement for the UAE, as the first Arab country to host this global conference, and makes it influential in the field of earthen architecture regionally and internationally.

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