Panel 1: Urbanism
Friday 2 October at 10.00am

   

Moderator:
  Mr. Todd Reisz, Editor, Al Manakh 2

Panelists:
  Mr. Akram Abu Hamdan, Director General, Mawared
  Mr. Angus Gavin, Urban Development Division Head, Solidere
  Mr. Sinan Hassan, Architect, Principal, Sinan Of Syria Architects
      (SOSA) Archiculture
  Mr. Gregory Acker, Senior Manager, Estidama

With the rapid growth of cities in the Arab Middle East, urban planners from the private and the public sector face the challenge of ensuring long-term sustainability. The approach to the urban development of both new and old cities often addresses short-term needs, but the solutions – from integrated communities to preservation and renewal projects – put at risk the urban environment, social and cultural welfare, and economic diversity.

ss How can planners and engineers capitalize on urbanization to improve sustainability?

What have we learned from the foundations of new cities and the redevelopment of the old?

How can the private and public sectors coordinate – on a national and regional level – to build cities that support the knowledge economy?