Housing, People and Environment (HOPE) Symposium

Muscat, Oman. 4/3/2024

Visiting the beautiful city of Muscat and Oman is always special. This time, it was an invitation by Gustavo Linhares de Siqueira, Associate Professor at German University of Technology (GUTech), to present my recent research findings on Abu Dhabi and provide insight on its future response to climatic and environmental pressure. My speech/presentation was entitled: “Abu Dhabi’s Enduring Postmodernism and COP28’s Alarm Clock: The Vitality of Change”, with hues from my recent research work at Abu Dhabi University. 

HOPE turned out to be a unique gathering of authorities, scholars and professionals from the GCC region, that allowed us to exchange vantage points and happily verify a common understanding of the climatic risks, socioeconomic stakes, strategic options and mitigation actions that the Gulf cities should consider given the new climatic condition.

I would like to really thank GUTech for their warm hospitality. It had been a true honor and pleasure to discuss my work with such an amazing lineup of colleagues: the distinguished Billie Giles-Corti (RMIT) with a great keynote opening, Alexandra Gomes (LSE-Cities), Florian Wiedmann (UoN), Jason Carlow (AUS), Asseel Al-Ragam (KU), Wafa Alghatam (UoB), Silvia Mazzetto (PSU), Ruth Mabry, Michal Kristof (CHYBIK+KRISTOF) and others. Furthermore, the GUTech Rector, Prof. Michael Braun and the Muscat Municipality Chairman HE Ahmed Al Humaidi.

Lastly, a special thanks to Joleza Koka and Noorayn Al Busaidi (with her amazing friends) for organizing every little detail of the whole event.

For more on the event, you may visit: https://mena-hope.com/symposium/