We are pleased to announce the appointment of Richard McConn and Neil Mitchell as mentors to the regional winners in the ‘Cities for our Future’ competition run by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Out of 1,200 entries initially submitted from across the globe, 12 finalists have been selected in developing their ideas, under the tutelage of industry experts.
Claudio Freitas, from the United States, has proposed an Internet of Things (IoT) Water Control Management system which will give administrators the ability to control the measurement and quality of water through a mobile, web-based system, with real-time information being delivered on water access and quality. He will be mentored by Richard McConn, Director at D.G. Jones & Partners, who has more than 30 years of experience as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and has worked throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
“Cities for our Future is about innovative thinking which provides inventive yet practical solutions to global issues. This competition has succeeded in bringing forward realistic solutions from young people that address these points, and which directly tackle issues of population, scarcity of resources and climate change. My mentor role has shown me that young people do have real solutions. I have had an insight that proves there is a willingness to help others and to give hope and support.” – Richard McConn, Director, D.G. Jones & Partners
Another regional winner out of the 12 finalists, Team Galaxy, have devised a new water infrastructure system – titled ‘Watershared’ – aimed to improve the dangerous levels of water supply and inequality in Amman, Jordan. Also based in the United States, their team consists of Yicheng Xu, Jianwei Li, Yinzhu Shen and Shuting Han. Their idea of ‘Watershared’ identifies four existing urban elements – disordered water tanks, exposed pipes, dilapidated stairs and abandoned houses – to create a new Jordanian water system.
They will be mentored by Neil Mitchell, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 30 years’ experience in engineering, construction and infrastructure sectors, currently he is a Director at DBSConsult.
“The competition is unique, inspiring entrants to provide new ideas and solutions to world issues that are simple, scalable and cost-effective. Through this RICS initiative, many innovative ideas for sustainability have been identified that when put into practice will improve the quality of life for thousands of people. It is exciting and fulfilling to be able to use my many years of experience in the industry to assist the entrants in explaining and detailing their ideas properly.” – Neil Mitchel, Director, DBSConsult
In partnership with the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, RICS is running the Cities for our Future competition, to encourage young people around the world to think about the challenges facing the world’s cities and to draw upon their imagination and innovative ideas to create real, practical solutions that global cities can implement.
The winner of the competition will be announced in November.
-Ends-
About Cities for our Future
Cities for our Future is a competition run by RICS, in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, in which young people around the world have been invited to offer inventive, but practical solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the world’s rapidly expanding cities.
Entrants were asked to submit ideas on three overarching issues facing cities around the world - urbanisation, climate change and resource scarcity.
A key moment of RICS’ 150 anniversary year, the competition received over 1,200 entries which have been narrowed down to a final 12. The shortlisted entries address problems in cities the world over, including Beijing, Amman, Caracas, Glasgow and Delhi.
For more information about Cities for our Future, visit www.citiesforourfuture.com
About RICS
RICS is a global professional body. We promote and enforce the highest professional qualification and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards – bringing confidence to the markets we serve. The work of our professionals creates a safer world: we are proud of our profession’s reputation and we guard it fiercely. RICS will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2018.
RICS in Middle East:
Lynne Davidson
Marketing & Communications Manager
ldavidson@rics.org
Tel: +971 (0) 4 391 3675
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
