Conference Day One: Monday 23 March 2009

09.00 Chairman’s Welcome And Opening Remarks

Coastlines, controls, climate and culture

09.10 Coastal And Marine Development Principles And Major Issues In The Arabian Gulf

• Critical review of completed and planned developments in the region
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning
• Combining the natural coastal environment with the built environment
• Essential features of legislative and institutional frameworks

H.E. Nayef Omar Al-Kalali
Undersecretary Public Works Affairs
Ministry of Works, Kingdom of Bahrain

09.50 UPC’s Natural And Cultural Heritage Strategy – A Responsible Advanced Urban Planning Vision

• The Coastal Development Guidelines: a project shaped by sensitive coastal and desert ecology concerns
• Meeting the highest standards in building sustainable coastal settlements
• Estidama: ensuring sustainable design, operation and maintenance of coastal buildings and communities
• Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 : a sustainable urban planning development for the next generations

Neil Mallen Planning Manager for the Environment Urban Planning Council Abu Dhabi

Holley Chant Estidama Planning Manager Urban Planning Council Abu Dhabi

Salem Al Quassimi Associate Planner – Estidama, Urban Planning Council Abu Dhabi

11.00 Climate Change And Coastal Management – International Experience

• Interactions between development and infrastructure, people and the environment
• Addressing the potential impacts of climate change
• Strengthening social institutions, improving the resilience of ecosystems and planning for sustainable infrastructure
• Examples and case studies from the UK, Bangladesh and the Gulf

Dr. Paul Ashley
Environment Practice Leader
Mott MacDonald

11.40 Iconic Waterfronts – Culture, Heritage And The Making Of Urban Identity

• Reflecting local designs and values
• Considerations of areas of a special and/or historic significance
• The importance of cultural and urban identity
• Reconciling the needs of a local population with tourists and expatriates

Amer A. Moustafa Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Architecture and Design
American University of Sharjah

12.20 UNESCO’s Activities In The Gulf In Relation To Coastal Developments

• Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites
• Better buildings: enhancing urban ecosystems
• Water, energy and waste management
• Recycling of resources

Dr. Benno Böer
Ecological Sciences Advisor
UNESCO Arab Region, UNESCO

Development and design

14.00 Waterfront And Eco-Friendly Projects – An Investment Perspective

• An overview of the market position
• Distilling demand for waterfront and eco-friendly projects
• Return on investment – who are the winners?
• Corporate social responsibility and its impact on regional real estate investment

Heather Wipperman Amiji
CEO
Investment Boutique

14.40 Best Practice In Coastal Design And Architecture

• Aligning aesthetic and engineering considerations
• Interfacing with the environment as a visual commodity
• Creating iconic and landmark developments
• Knowing requirements from the outset

William Yuen
Design Director
P&T Architects and Engineers

15.50 Effectively Planning To Create Valuable Coastal Real Estate

• Taking the decision to develop on the coast
• Evaluating a concept’s feasibility
• Balancing exclusivity against maximum profitablity
• Preparing for contingencies

Gurjit Singh
Chief Property Development Officer
Sorouh

16.30 Master Planning And Landscaping A Development To Maximise The Impact Of A Coastal Location

• The use of beaches and interfacing with the shoreline
• Combining infrastructure with the landscape
• Marinas and marine traffic management
• Integration of plant materials and irrigation

John Elliott
Senior Vice President
WATG

17.10 End Of Conference Day One

[ Register Now] · [ Next: Conference Day Two: Tuesday 24 March 2009 ]