C A L L f o r E X P R E S S I O N O F I N T E R E S T
ISOCARP Intensive Training Program for Young Planning Professionals Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In 2007, the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi published a comprehensive vision of the future of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, entitled Abu Dhabi Plan 2030. In addition to offering far reaching land use proposals, it embodies a framework for the management of Abu Dhabi’s future growth. Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 seeks to regulate the pattern of urban growth in a way that balances economic, social and environmental priorities in a sustainable manner and that emphasizes human scale development within a pedestrian friendly environment enhanced by a multi-tiered public transportation system serving the entire metropolitan area.
The United Arab Emirates provides limited academic education in the field of Urban Planning, therefore many of the UAE Nationals who are employed by the municipalities and their planning divisions come from an Engineering or Architectural background. On this basis, the Emirati planning authorities require a comprehensive training program with a theoretical and international content for their less experienced national employees.
Following up the assessment of the already completed modules, executed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (ADUPC) and with Al Ain Municipality in 2011 as well as in 2013, 2014 and 2015 a preliminary agreement was reached on the scope and type of further training provided by ISOCARP. This agreement includes both the concept for the second part of the course for the graduates of the already completed edition “Introduction to Urbanism” program and the already tried and tested concept for the new edition of the program for the new cohort (s) of Young Planning Professionals. Successful completion of the previously offered modules also generated further interest in trainings provided by ISOCARP within the United Arab Emirates. As a result, ISOCARP is at present in negotiations regarding organizing further trainings for ADUPC, Al Ain Municipality as well as other governmental entities in the region. The trainings are to be organized in the months of September / November 2016 and include short-term assignments in Abu Dhabi and /or Al Ain (up to 3-5 days). Since we do not know yet the final outcome of these negotiations, ISOCARP ExCo decided to issue this CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST to inform the members of the society about this opportunity and allow all interested persons to submit their PRELIMINARY APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YPPs:
The Intensive Training Program for Young Planning Professionals (YPP) aims at providing young Emirati planners who are responsible for, or will participate in, the shaping and development of settlements, with basic concepts of planning. Practical case studies will be included.
AUDIENCE:
Each module will be designed for junior level YPPs (0-2 years of experience) who come from various backgrounds such as architecture, civil engineering, spatial science technology and real estate management.