1000 industry-related professionals to attend

Dubai,  19 November 2007: Dubai Municipality has announced its official sponsorship for GLADAC 2008, the first Gulf Landscape Architecture and Design Awards Conference, which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre during 20-22 January 2008. 

The conference will bring together presidents, vice presidents & senior executives from world-renowned organisations as well as an audience of up to 1000 industry-related professionals and delegates hailing from all corners of the globe. 

This was announced in a press conference on Monday at Dar An-Nadwa in Al Bastakiya Heritage District which was addressed by Eng. Rashad Bukhash, Director of General Projects Department at Dubai Municipality, and Dr. D. Menzies, President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), which is organising the event in a Gulf city for the first time.

Bukhash said the conference comes at a significant time when Dubai Municipality is spearheading a mammoth effort to green Dubai with at least 30 public parks that are currently under construction, design or study. This is in line with the Strategic Plan for Dubai Municipality (2007-2011) which seeks to increase the per capita share of greenery to 23.4 square meter and raise the total area of cultivated land to 3.15 per cent of the total urban land by 2011.

"Dubai already has a total of five major public parks that have a combined area of over 10 million square meters of green space. Apart from this, there are some 16 neighbourhood parks across the city, which offer nearly one million square meters of greenery," he said.

Some 13 neighbourhood parks, Bukhash added, are currently under construction in various areas of the emirate which would have a combined area of nearly 600,000 square meters. They would cover areas like Al Barsha, Al Mizhar, Al Garhood, Port Saeed, Nad Al Hamar, Hor Al Anz, Al Qusais, Al Safouh, Al Nahda and Al Muhaisina.

Apart from this, he noted, some eight neighbourhood parks are currently in the designing stage which will have a total area of more than 500,000 square meters. The construction of these parks, in areas like Satwa, Mirdif, Al Barsha, Al Mamzar, Al Mizhar, Al Towar and Nad Al Sheba, will begin very soon, he said.  

"We are also taking into consideration the growing needs of people for more recreational space. In this regard, some nine neighbourhood parks are under study in areas like Al Warqa, Al Muhaisina, Nad Al Hamar, Al Mizhar and Al Khwaneej. These parks will offer a combined area of over 430,000 square meters," Bukhash said.  

He noted that the conference would offer all participants, including those from Dubai Municipality, a great opportunity to learn and exchange expert knowledge in the field of landscape architecture and design as well as to highlight the importance of spatial design and landscape planning in the city.

"We, at Dubai Municipality, are pleased to associate ourselves with IFLA in organising this prestigious event for the first time in the region," said Bukhash.      

Dr. Menzies said GLADAC 2008 will recognize the landscape architecture industry's immense growth and development within Dubai, the UAE and the GCC region.       

"This event marks an historic first for the Middle East region. IFLA, in partnership with Dubai Municipality, is proud to bring some 35 eminent speakers in the field of landscape architecture including senior officials of the UN, IFLA, UN-Habitat, Union of International Architects, the UNESCO, the Council for Education in Landscape Architecture, Crisis Group International, ISOCARP, as well as presidents of international landscape architect associations from America, Europe, UK, South Africa, Far East, India and Australia. Apart from them, parliament dignitaries from Malawi, South Africa, and Kenya, professors from faculties of landscape architecture of major global universities including King Saud University of Saudi Arabia. Also taking part are renowned landscape architects from the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia, the Americas and Africa.

She said the conference would be focusing on a general theme "Civilisation: Modern Role of Landscape Architecture."

"As global environmental and development issues are impacting the face of landscape we need professionals and professional bodies to make sure that the stewardship of the Earth is maintained for the better.  The relationship between IFLA and the local associations can drive educational, environmental, heritage, cultural and conservation issues in all landscape matters and we welcome the opportunity of helping in this region," she said. 

Dr. Menzies added that the UAE and GCC are currently going through a development boom and have unique environmental issues that need to be addressed in a careful and rigorous manner.  Landscape architects should be and will be at the forefront of addressing these issues. 

-Ends-

Thajudeen V. Aliar
Journalist
Public Relations & Organisations Dept.
Dubai Municipality.
P O Box: 67, Dubai, U.A.E.
Tel: +971 4 206 46 09
Mob: +971 50 588 12 78
Fax: +971 4 2232188

© Press Release 2007