Cityscape to map out blueprint for Mid East cities

Cityscape 2002 - to be held in association with the 4th International Property Investment & Management Conference (IPIC) - will bring together leading property investment and development experts and top architects, from the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia, to examine the challenges facing the region's urban planners.

Critical issues to be addressed during the confex, to be held at the Emirates Towers hotel, from December 14 -17, include the latest trends in the design and construction of commercial and residential buildings as well as investment issues, urban regeneration and public-private partnerships.

IPIC speakers will include Saeed Al Muntafiq, Director General, Dubai Development and Investment Authority; Lee Tabler, CEO, Dubai Festival City; Dr Suha Ozkan, Secretary General, Aga Khan Award for Architecture; Prof Roderick Lawrence, Centre for Human Ecology & Environmental Studies, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Bernard Spoerry, Principal, Spoerry Architecture, France; Andre Tammes, President, International Association of Lighting Designers and Mohammed Al Asad, Director, Centre for the Study of the Built Environment, Jordan.

Cityscape 2002 will be opened by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Board, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA). In conjunction with IPIC it will focus on the importance of creating the right environment for the long-term goals of attracting international property development to the region and delivering sustainable solutions for decades to come.

"IPIC and Cityscape 2002 will further enhance and support the vision for residential and commercial property growth in the Middle East. They will meet the needs of the region's commerce, tourism and industry sectors, as well its people, by kick starting inspired development solutions for decades to come," said Christopher Hudson, Project Manager, for organisers IIR Exhibitions.

"There are many exhibitions that focus on 'building fit out' but there has never been a regional event that combines a conference and exhibition, in the same venue, that focuses attention on the design and facilitation of buildings for the future."

Officially supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, Cityscape 2002 will feature the inaugural Cityscape Young Architect Award, to be presented at a VIP reception, hosted by EMAAR Properties - the exhibition and conference's Platinum Sponsor - at the Montgomerie Golf Club on December 15.

"It is intended the award will become a prestigious annual event and a platform for promoting young architects, living or practising within Islamic cities, who have made a positive contribution to their immediate context or locality," said Hudson.