The event will bring some of the most innovative and inspiring ideas, projects and initiatives that are currently carried on to address global emerging challenges following an approach that makes use of low to high tech solutions to reconcile humans with all living species.

A panel discussing innovations in Cities and Communities as a part of Nature-Based Generations by UAE Modern in partnership with MAS Paints.

The global growth of population - estimated to reach 9.7 billion in 2050 - in search of better living conditions will rise the already existing unbalance between urban and rural settlements: by 2050 7/10 of the world population will live in urban areas, a ratio that will reach the 9/10 by the end of the century. This unprecedented condition, an effect of emerging global issues such as rising of temperatures and sea levels, inequality, famine and political instability, will put cities under new threats and challenges that, if unattended or not planned in advance, could bring them and their communities to collapse. The panel, triggered by short videos offering to the audience a panoramic view on the topic, and potential research directions, will revolve on the active role that architecture, urban design and planning can play in addressing the issue of humans in their transition to becoming a full urban species.

Panelists:

  • Anna Cornaro, Chair of the Department of Architecture, American University of Dubai
  • Rafael Pizarro, Associate Professor of Architecture, American University of Sharjah
  • Ahmad Sadek, Urban and regional strategist, planner, and designer, APAZAO, UAE

Moderated by Massimo Imparato, Curator, UAE Modern

*Free to attend and no registration required.

About Anna Cornaro

Dr. Anna Cornaro is Associate Professor, American University in Dubai and Chair of the Department of Architecture. She is the founder and Partner of COdESIGN Associates, Italy-UAE. She holds a Ph.D. in the Theory of Design and Architectural Composition from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (2006). She is an organizer, promoter and tutor of international workshops (Rome-Tokyo), a speaker in international conferences (Genoa, Rome, Milan, Tokyo, Amman and China and a winner of academic and professional prizes. She has published papers on urban space, exhibit design, and spaces for mental disease, Japanese architecture and written essays and articles for several international magazines.

About Rafael Pizarro

Rafael Pizarro is Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah. After having achieved his PhD in Urban Planning at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA, Rafael has taught urban planning, urban design and architecture for 14 years at the Technical University of Berlin (Germany), at the University of Sydney (Australia) and at Texas Southern University (USA). He teaches and conducts research on physical urban planning and ecological urbanism with special emphasis on green neighborhood design. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and two books. He has been an urban planner for the City of Phoenix (Arizona) and a practicing architect in Bogota, Colombia.

About Ahmed Sadek

Dr Sadek is an urban and regional strategist, planner, and designer. His work experience spans between practices, research, mentorship and academic teaching; and has been involved in developing and implementing innovative planning and governance tools with government institutions, leading international consulting firms, and renowned universities in part of Europe, the Middle East, and the Arab Gulf States. Over his extensive work experience in the UAE, he has conducted studies that have a radical impact on the practice and governance of sustainable residential development in Dubai, Emirati residential land allocation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the culturally contextualized, and award-winning Estidama program for the planning and design of sustainable communities and buildings.


About MAS Paints
MAS Paints is a leading Italian brand of high-quality paints, wood lacquers and decorative paints that encapsulate elegance, style and a splash of creativity with the power to transform walls into works of art. Learn more about MAS Paints.

About UAE Modern
UAE Modern is a Dubai based multi-disciplinary nexus established in 2017, gathering scholars, researchers, practitioners, private and public institutions and the industry to share experiences to exchange knowledge on design innovation for sustainable environments. For the third time consecutively UAE Modern brings to the Dubai Design Week events, workshops and installations for engaging with scholars, practitioners and the community at large on the emerging challenges of our future. Learn more about UAE Modern.