PUBLIC MARKS with tags conference & architecture

On November 5, Urban Age will inaugurate an intensive two-day conference on the future of cities in Istanbul, an expanding metropolis and one of the worlds first global cities. 100 innovators of urban change from 15 countries, half a dozen mayors, renowned scholars and authors side-by-side with architects and developers leading major urban regeneration projects around the globe will offer presentations about urban transformations in 25 cities. The conference will engage an invited audience of over 300 urban policymakers, academics, designers, planners and developers to explore the vast and complex challenge of contemporary city making and the interconnected issues of the impact of the global economic condition on world cities, the effect of climate change on urban sustainability and the role of urban design in creating socially cohesive environments.

The increasing urbanization of many parts of the world coupled with other global issues such as environmental pollution, energy consumption, and resources shortage are resulting in major urban crises in many parts of the world. In an effort to explore and map the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Al-Fateh University and the Center for the Study of Architecture in the Arab Region (CSAAR) have joined together to organize an international conference on sustainable architecture and urban development.

Infrastructure provides the basic needs for society, and sustainable infrastructure systems are essential for the survival, health and well-being of a society. For developing countries, the civil and environmental engineer are at the epicenter in seeking means to enhance human life through modernization of infrastructure as evidenced by provision of shelter, water, and transport, amongst others.

The current rate of urbanization and industrialization has caused a rise in environmental issues, involving environmental mismanagement which has been associated with unforeseen global catastrophes. The problems are further aggravated with environmental degradation such as soil erosion, depletion of water resources, etc.

In order to meet these multifaceted challenges, proper planning, implementation and verification exercises are required, via an integrated, multidisciplinary and holistic approach. The global momentum for sustainable development must now lead to practical applications of the engineering and science of sustainability.