60 sec interviews with...

Testimonials

"Dubai has invested significantly in developing a world-class city that promotes business and commerce across the region. We, at Dubai Exports, have embarked on the mission of taking this expertise from Dubai to other cities aiming to benefit from the city’s experience and learnings. Future Cities Conference provides an ideal starting point for us to promote the city’s capabilities and identify opportunities."
Moin Anwar, Director Exporter Services, Dubai Exports, Government of Dubai
 
"I thank you for inviting me to speak at the Future Cities Conference at Cityscape Global 2011. The panelists, all dynamic leaders, presented a wealth of insight and knowledge. The discussions helped recognize emerging opportunities and developments that impact the regional and global cluster developments. It also offered us an excellent platform to share our learning about the knowledge-cluster model developed by TECOM Investments. I congratulate the team for organizing a well-planned and highly successful event."
Ismail Al Naqi, Managing Director, TECOM Business Parks - Operations
 
"The Future Cities Conference was a valuable opportunity to learn about the trends and developments in the sector and to share best practice as well as an important networking event."
Dr Ashraf Mahate, Head of Export Market Intelligence, Dubai Exports – an agency of the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai; Vice Chair of the Economic Policy Committee with the Dubai Economic Department, UAE
 
"The conference attracted professionals from truly across the spectrum of activities since the Future Cities conference involved every aspect of the city’s well being, growth and development. I thought the audience very well appreciated the presentations and discussions with some ‘take away points’ on the various facets of such activities which make the city what it is. A very lively and energetic conference!"
P. Balasubramanian, Manager Cargo Global Operations Services, Emirates SkyCargo
 
"Attending the Future Cities Conference in 2011 and visiting the city of Dubai gave me a great opportunity to introduce what steps the city of Reykjavík has taken towards increased sustainability. Also, it was very useful for me to familiarize myself with the views and approaches of the other participants, so I brought home with me a lot of new wisdom which will benefit Reykjavík in its mission to become an even greener city."
Karl Sigurdsson, Chairman of the City of Reykjavík's Environment and Transport Council, Iceland
 
"Cityscape's Future Cities and World Architecture Congress conferences were excellent. They were well organised, structured and brought a number of global decision makers together to share their experiences and investment opportunities. I enjoyed the networking breaks and I will definitely participate again."
Waheed Nazir, Director of Planning and Regeneration, Birmingham City Council
 

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60 seconds interviews

The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, Lisa-M. Scaffidi,
City of Perth,
Western Australia

Q. What would you consider the biggest urban challenge municipalities is facing when it comes to urban sustainability and why?

I think the biggest urban challenge in the various global municipalities would be mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. As many cities are becoming more urbanised there is still a strong car reliance apparent. We need to encourage people to focus on greater public transport and less car reliance and to lessen our footprints on the plant in as many ways as we can.

Q. Which sustainable strategies/activities is your organization implementing for the future and why are you doing so?

We are undertaking many from cycling plans through to the implementation of more public transport including light rail routes. We are aiming to focus on transit oriented developments (TODs) and increased densities to again lessen ongoing urban sprawl.

Q. What are you looking to learn from the Future Cities Conference?

Sometimes you don’t know what you will learn until you hear it! The one thing about a world conference is the knowledge sharing.....we can all learn from each others experiences and best practices. Given the different ages and stages of our cities and cultures within them not everything will translate but when you stumble across something that will, wow it is wonderful. The networking and learning is something that never changes from decade to decade.

Ph.D. Habib M. Alshuwaikhat,
Professor of Urban Sustainability, Department of City and Regional Planning – King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals,
KSA

Q. What would you consider the biggest urban challenge municipalities is facing when it comes to urban sustainability and why?

Population growth, demand for housing and efficient resource allocation for the soaring demand for infrastructure are the major urban challenges municipalities are facing in this region. These challenges require the following:

  • Assessing the current practices of master plan evaluation;
  • Examining and selecting appropriate master plan sustainability assessment models, approach and techniques; and
  • Ensuring sustainable cities through the monitoring of sustainable indicators

Q. What are you looking to learn from the Future Cities Conference?

The Future Cities Conference will provide the opportunity for planners and concerned individuals to discuss their urban sustainability challenges with sustainability experts to learn about the emerging tools and techniques of sustainability assessment to ensure sustainable cities in the future.

Dr. Belaid Rettab,
Senior Director, Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
UAE

Q. What would you consider the biggest urban challenge municipalities is facing when it comes to urban sustainability and why?

The biggest urban challenges municipalities are facing relate to (1) growing population, (2) absorptive capacity of labor markets, (3) urban sustainable environment. A steeply growing population requires a cautious short- and long –term planning to manage a sustainable and balanced production and leisure capacity. Future cities have to compete worldwide to attract foreign direct investment as well as develop and attract talent and combine these resources to add value and create competitive advantage. Future cities are not sustainable when they function as a place where people are piled up with no perspectives for productivity and growth. These generate ghettos, crime and waste of scarce resources.

Q. Which sustainable strategies/activities is your organization implementing for the future and why are you doing so?

Guiding Dubai businesses towards conducting responsible business which is competitive, transparent, clean and sustainable is the responsibility of Dubai Chamber. Dubai Chamber’s strategic objectives are to create a favorable business environment, to support the development of business, and to promote Dubai as an international business hub. Dubai Chamber is doing so to help achieve a global commercial hub leading by excellence ad being the future city number one.

Q. What are you looking to learn from the Future Cities Conference?

I am looking forward to learn from the Future Cities Conference about the state of the art in the field of urban planning, urban strategies, and about urban prospects for generating new potential for modern competitiveness.

Honorable Jon Porter,
Former Congressman, United States House of Representatives, President & CEO,
Porter Group
USA

Q. What would you consider the biggest urban challenge municipalities is facing when it comes to urban sustainability and why?

The biggest challenge, as I see it, is the ability of a municipality to refit an urban environment to become sustainable. These might include funding limitations, lack of necessary experts, or existing infrastructure. For example, in some cases urban structures would not allow you to create a more efficient public transportation system, like an underground metro, that would decrease the number of cars, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and therefore make the municipality more sustainable.

Q. Which sustainable strategies/activities is your organization implementing for the future and why are you doing so?

At PGS, we believe in a healthier and cleaner environment to leave for future generations. On a local level, we occupy offices in Washington DC in a LEEd accredited building where we recycle our trash, use sensor lighting, reduced mercury content in building lamps, use of 90% sustainable cleaning products and materials, and cutting air conditioning on weekends.

On a business level, we promote and represent firms that offer innovative solutions for clean energy. Our clients produce renewable biodiesel fuels, they engineer solar ponds that have a minimal effect on the environment while producing baseload power, and they create waste recycling processes that use fewer resources than other methods.

Q. What are you looking to learn from the Future Cities Conference?

I look forward to be part of this event and share my perspective, but also learn from fellow participants on the latest sustainable techniques, solutions , and best practices from their diverse experiences.

 

Dave Smith,
Chief Executive,
Sunderland City Council,
UK
Q. What would you consider the biggest urban challenge municipalities is facing when it comes to urban sustainability and why?

For me it has to be a question of balance. Sunderland is a good example where a raft of new investment during the 1980’s, on the periphery of the city, has been excellent for the city’s economy - but has left the city centre/ urban core somewhat beleaguered and struggling to attract businesses.  New advances such as high speed internet connectivity, mobile working and integrated transport systems allow cities to be much smarter in how people, offices and housing are co-located and ultimately lead to more sustainable urban development.


Q. Which sustainable strategies/activities is your organization implementing for the future and why are you doing so?

Sunderland’s greatest asset is its people and so for us investing in skills and opportunities means we can “grow” , attract and keep talent in the city.  We’ve worked hard with the private sector to understand what businesses need from  their workforce of today and tomorrow, and as a city authority we work hard to play our role in creating the right conditions to achieve this.

Q. What are you looking to learn from the Future Cities Conference?

I like to think that Sunderland is well on the way to being a modern, cosmopolitan, future focused city.  Our partnership with IBM as the UK’s first Smarter City has really opened our eyes to the whole wealth of innovative and exciting ways that cities around the globe are tackling the urban challenges of today. We already have close partnerships with cities in China, Europe and the USA so for me Future Cities will provide a further perspective from Dubai, the UAE and other places…I am sure I will find it fascinating.

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