This paper addresses the metamorphoses of the historic city center and the impact of the commercial activities and signage on the streetscape and urban-scape. Most of the historic core of the Arab cities and towns has been transformed as areas for commercial centers. The challenge is that the development of these commercial activities should not be done on the detriment of the preservation of the historic center. Most of our historic centers have been through a process of transformation which might be seen as an evolutionary and natural development, but the rapid and drastic change of the urban development on the name of the contemporaneity and modernity, which are behind the insertion of this negative impact in the urban scape. This paper will focus on three historic city centers: Bastakia in Dubai, El Mereeja in Sharjah and Al Bustan in Ajman. After having been through different proposals developed by the different offices and organisms, the study will examine the followings:  The questions of commercial activities and signage  The mechanic circulation and preservation of historic heritage  The spatial use according to the different charters on heritage and conservation The tools used in this investigation are an urban design and urban scape analyses. The objective is to end up with recommendations on the development of the commercial activities compatible with the preservation of the historic heritage. These recommendations should take into consideration a guideline to achieve a sustainable environment (physically and culturally) and to avoid or at least to reduce the pollution (visual, atmospheric and phonic) in the historic city center. Key words: Urban scape, heritage, historic city center, Commercial activities, culture, identity, preservation.

The impact of the commercial activities on the urban scape of the historic city center with a case study of some cities in the U.A.E. Journal/Conference: 3rd International , architectural Conservation Conference proceeding, Dr. Bouzid Boudiaf, Dr. Mohammad Arar & Mrs. Sahar Mekky, 17-19 December 2012.

This paper addresses the metamorphoses of the historic city center and the impact of the commercial activities and signage on the streetscape and urban-scape. Most of the historic core of the Arab cities and towns has been transformed as areas for commercial centers. The challenge is that the development of these commercial activities should not be done on the detriment of the preservation of the historic center. Most of our historic centers have been through a process of transformation which might be seen as an evolutionary and natural development, but the rapid and drastic change of the urban development on the name of the contemporaneity and modernity, which are behind the insertion of this negative impact in the urban scape. This paper will focus on three historic city centers: Bastakia in Dubai, El Mereeja in Sharjah and Al Bustan in Ajman. After having been through different proposals developed by the different offices and organisms, the study will examine the followings:  The questions of commercial activities and signage  The mechanic circulation and preservation of historic heritage  The spatial use according to the different charters on heritage and conservation The tools used in this investigation are an urban design and urban scape analyses. The objective is to end up with recommendations on the development of the commercial activities compatible with the preservation of the historic heritage. These recommendations should take into consideration a guideline to achieve a sustainable environment (physically and culturally) and to avoid or at least to reduce the pollution (visual, atmospheric and phonic) in the historic city center. Key words: Urban scape, heritage, historic city center, Commercial activities, culture, identity, preservation.