24 August 2003
The changing urban landscape of the Gulf countries and the need to conserve traditional architectural heritage and create new uses for historical buildings is the theme of the ‘First International Conference on Heritage, Globalisation and the Built Environment’ slated from November 29 to December 1.
Organised by the Bahrain Society of Engineers in collaboration with the University of Bahrain, the event will be held at the Gulf International Convention Centre.
This is the first conference to address key issues of urbanisation and its impact on local culture, the Conference Chairman Masoud Al Hermi, said. In conjunction with the technical sessions, an exhibition will be held where companies, consultancy and research organisations will promote their activities, services and products relating to the conference theme.
“The recent liberalisation of trade, politics and the boost in technology has not only affected how people live, think and interact but also how they use their urban spaces, especially in traditional areas and in the land and infrastructure development,” Al Hermi said.
“The conference is relevant in Bahrain where recent real estate laws have made the ownership and development of land more accessible for nationals and expatriates. We see the development of high-rise buildings, industrial and free trade zones, tourist and shopping facilities and there is a fear among thinking urban developers that this rush may lead to many important social, cultural and environmental indicators being overlooked,” he said.
Al Hermi said that the conference theme was important in the context of Muslim cities where mounting pressures and challenges of globalisation are threatening the survival of architectural heritage that has been the product of centuries of evolving civilisations.
The speakers will focus on the renewal of heritage values and the revival of local identities in the built environment. The topics will include ‘Re-humanising the Built Environment: the role of heritage and tradition’; ‘Children and Women in a Global World: the struggle for space’; ‘Conservation of traditional Areas’; ‘Historical Buildings: Restoration and Re-use’ and ‘Managing Land: Density, Zoning and By-laws’ and the promotion of heritage in a global era through media, schools, communities and tourism. Readers can obtain more information on the call for papers from the Bahrain Society of Engineers on 727100 or on e-mail < bseng@batelco.com.bh >
The changing urban landscape of the Gulf countries and the need to conserve traditional architectural heritage and create new uses for historical buildings is the theme of the ‘First International Conference on Heritage, Globalisation and the Built Environment’ slated from November 29 to December 1.
Organised by the Bahrain Society of Engineers in collaboration with the University of Bahrain, the event will be held at the Gulf International Convention Centre.
This is the first conference to address key issues of urbanisation and its impact on local culture, the Conference Chairman Masoud Al Hermi, said. In conjunction with the technical sessions, an exhibition will be held where companies, consultancy and research organisations will promote their activities, services and products relating to the conference theme.
“The recent liberalisation of trade, politics and the boost in technology has not only affected how people live, think and interact but also how they use their urban spaces, especially in traditional areas and in the land and infrastructure development,” Al Hermi said.
“The conference is relevant in Bahrain where recent real estate laws have made the ownership and development of land more accessible for nationals and expatriates. We see the development of high-rise buildings, industrial and free trade zones, tourist and shopping facilities and there is a fear among thinking urban developers that this rush may lead to many important social, cultural and environmental indicators being overlooked,” he said.
Al Hermi said that the conference theme was important in the context of Muslim cities where mounting pressures and challenges of globalisation are threatening the survival of architectural heritage that has been the product of centuries of evolving civilisations.
The speakers will focus on the renewal of heritage values and the revival of local identities in the built environment. The topics will include ‘Re-humanising the Built Environment: the role of heritage and tradition’; ‘Children and Women in a Global World: the struggle for space’; ‘Conservation of traditional Areas’; ‘Historical Buildings: Restoration and Re-use’ and ‘Managing Land: Density, Zoning and By-laws’ and the promotion of heritage in a global era through media, schools, communities and tourism. Readers can obtain more information on the call for papers from the Bahrain Society of Engineers on 727100 or on e-mail < bseng@batelco.com.bh >
© Bahrain Tribune 2003
