01 January 2010

OVER 40 speakers, panellists, and more than 400 delegates from 15 countries called for greater transfer of knowledge in sustainability in the construction Industry at The Dubai Forum on ‘Architecture for Sustainable Societies’ held early this month. The experts also urged architects to effectively tackle techno-economic challenges to sustainability.

Panel discussions at the forum focused on architecture and sustainable communities, architecture and natural forces, media perspectives, architecture and rapid urbanisation, architecture and cultural sustainability.
The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and organised by Brand Dubai to foster discussions on sustainable development.
Sustainability cannot be generalised, but should integrate histories, geographies and traditions, including contemporary building aspects, and Dubai is a perfect example for these trends that professionals need to emulate and share at all practical levels, according to Elizabeth O’Donell, O’Donell, associate dean, Irwin S Chanin School of Architecture, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, US.
In her remarks, O’Donell said: “This forum was convened as an opportunity for dialogue among professionals and educators concerned with the built environment to discuss contemporary challenges and assess how we might work together to develop a sustainable architecture with an impact both within and beyond the building skin. For architects to remain relevant in this endeavour, they must be willing to develop and critique their work in a context that is not only physical but economic, climatic, social and cultural as well. In this way, architecture can establish relationships, activate and engage civic space, and support human activities that foster, protect and encourage a sustainable future.”
Mona Al Marri, CEO of Brand Dubai, said: “Burj Khalifa has sent a clear message about the country’s positive energy, optimism and confidence. The first edition of The Dubai Forum, coincided with the opening of the world’s tallest tower and has proved to be an extraordinary podium for information exchange.”

• Dubai ‘perfect example’ of sustainability trends
• Update
• Corrosion control in limelight
• Summit to focus on road planning

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