Accolade won for DCT Abu Dhabi’s bespoke digital platform ADHER (Abu Dhabi Historic Environment Record), which utilises ESRI technologies and Geographic Information Systems

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 23 July 2024: The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi’s (DCT Abu Dhabi) Abu Dhabi Historic Environment Record (ADHER) platform received a Special Achievement Award at the 2024 Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) User Conference in San Diego, California.

A bespoke digital platform developed by the DCT Abu Dhabi Historic Environment department, ADHER is a comprehensive central repository of heritage legacy data, providing reliable, up-to-date information on the location, importance of, and threats to cultural heritage sites across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Linked to other platforms, ADHER enables heritage professionals to make informed decisions at local, regional, and national levels, and preserves digital and non-digital heritage resources that can be used for generations to come.

The award recognised DCT Abu Dhabi’s outstanding work in developing ADHER with ESRI technologies and the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Nominees were carefully evaluated by a panel of judges, with DCT Abu Dhabi being chosen as one among 197, from more than 100,000 ESRI clients worldwide.

This achievement is a testament to DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving the emirate’s heritage as it undergoes rapid urban development, and further demonstrates the organisation’s efforts in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s status as a global centre for culture and creativity.

HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As Abu Dhabi undergoes rapid transformation, preserving its rich cultural heritage becomes increasingly vital. The ADHER platform plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the essential resources and knowledge that we are responsible for passing down to future generations. Our vision has always been defined by Abu Dhabi's heritage, language, and landscape and this award reinforces the critical role cultural resources play in shaping our societal fabric and identity. We remain committed to our mission of preserving Abu Dhabi's rich cultural heritage and sharing it with the world.”

Held between 15 – 19 July, the conference was hosted by ESRI, a global market leader in GIS software, location intelligence, and mapping. The company specialises in geographic science and geospatial analytics since 1969, maintaining a geographic approach to problem solving that is brought to life by modern, enterprise-grade GIS technology.