What Does Preservation Mean in a City Without History?

The past is in trouble in Abu Dhabi. This rapidly developing desert city in the United Arab Emirates is a poster child of the brand new, ultra-futuristic megacity. Though it's less flashy than neighboring Dubai, Abu Dhabi has more than its share of supertall skyscrapers and sparklingly new developments – from the 74-story Sky Tower to the 40,000-person capacity Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Beneath their shadows are some signs of the Abu Dhabi of the past. Even in a city that typifies newness, old and potentially historically important buildings do indeed exist, including the 1980s-era Terminal One inside Abu Dhabi Airport and the Quonset hut-like Al Bateen Mall. As Abu Dhabi rushes forth toward urban futurism, some wonder what will happen to those vestiges of not-so-distant history as the city continues to evolve. When old isn't that old and new is everything, should the past be preserved?