Thesis: Nour Jafar

Markets and Modernity: A Case Study of the Post-Colonial Oil Town Shopping Experience at the Ahmadi Shopping Centre

This thesis explores the architectural, historical, and cultural significance of the Ahmadi Shopping Centre, Kuwait’s first formal retail establishment, developed in 1961 during the country’s transition from British protectorate to independence. Situated in the company town of Ahmadi, the Centre marked a shift from traditional souks to modern retail environments and was designed to serve the local workforce in Arab Village. Despite its early importance, the Centre faced neglect and threats of demolition, prompting community-led efforts to preserve it as cultural heritage. However, mismanagement and internal corruption within the heritage authorities led to the destruction of key architectural elements, raising broader concerns about the undervaluation of modernist architecture in Kuwait.