After the success of earlier courses in 2011 and 2013, ISOCARP was asked to again provide trainings for the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) as well as for the Al Ain Municipality (AAM).
Introduction to Urbanism
In partnership with ISOCARP the UPC has developed the technical planning course, Urbanism 1. Its purpose is to provide Emirati planners who are responsible for, or will participate in, the shaping and development of the Emirate’s settlements, with a sound grounding in the principles and practices of effective contemporary urbanism. The programme is designed to provide practical knowledge that will be of immediate use to each participant.
This program is for those individuals who have had little or no previous training in Urban Planning and who require a broad and informed introduction as it applies to the Emirate.
Objectives
By the end of the programme students will have developed an understanding of the following:
- General grounding in the principles and practices of effective contemporary urbanism.
- General capacity as to how best a city can be structured, how its built form can optimize liveability or how its overall shape and infrastructure can be most compatible with the natural environment
- Orientation to the urbanistic principles that underpin place-making, inner city rehabilitation, management of sprawl or community building
- Advanced practices of city planning and policymaking, or civic development management.
- Progressive urbanism, sustainable development and humanistic social infrastructure for the Emirate
Modules
The course “Introduction to Urbanism part I” is composed of the following modules:
- Evolution of urban form – from past to present – with analysis of factors stimulating growth of human settlements and shaping the particular forms of urban development
- Contemporary concepts in urban development – including the key contemporary urban development paradigms with a special focus on sustainable development and “attractive city” philosophy
- Shaping regional and local development policies – with a special focus on consequences of uncontrolled urbanization, sprawl and challenging issues for redevelopment of cities and regions
- Planning and Regulatory Methods – including the analysis of the types of contemporary planning documents, their scope and role in shaping the city
- Urban Economics and Land-use integration – allowing the cities to reach a balance between profit-making and provision for complete sustainable communities
- Importance of urban design – with extensive discussion of the key concepts and models of contemporary urban design and their role in securing the high quality urban environment
- Place-making and public spaces development – focused on the art of creating lively and exciting community places
- Implementation strategies – including discussion of possible development models, tools and instruments which are used in the contemporary urban development practice
- Elements of a Successful City in Abu Dhabi’s Plans – including exploration of urban/social/economic and environmental elements that contribute to a successful implementation of Abu Dhabi 2030 plan vision
- Focus on transportation and urban mobility – underlining the importance of the variety of modes of transport and availability to potential users in a city context and discussing the new ways of moving through the city and encouraging people to walk at the same time.
Comments and Reviews
UPC writes:
“Up-and-coming planners at the UPC completed their Introduction to Urbanism training at the ISOCARP (The International Society of City and Regional Planners) workshops in Abu Dhabi in November. At the UPC, we truly believe that training and learning are the foundation stones for the successful realisation of Vision 2030.
One of the key benefits of working with ISOCARP is their access to a number of international experts, who have been brought in to provide attendees with a truly global view of planning techniques from around the world. These training sessions give attendees valuable practical knowledge about the finer aspects of contemporary urbanism that are of immense benefit, regardless of their specific area of work.”
Looking back on the workshop with Dr. Mohammad Qasim: http://www.nahrainuniv.edu.iq/ar/node/2499
Graduation ceremony
Abu Dhabi
On March 9th 2015, ISOCARP has successfully completed the two courses in Abu Dhabi: Urbanism 1 and Urbanism 2, which were aimed at advancing the planning knowledge and practical skills among a group of young Emirati planners. Both courses included theoretical and practical parts and were attended by a diversified group of participants. Each of them, besides completing the theoretical parts, also had to develop a practical assignment associated with re-planning the different parts of the sites that await development in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, the outcomes of the course shall also be used in the professional practice of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.
The graduation ceremony gathered both course participants and ADUPC management representatives. On behalf of ISOCARP the ceremony was attended by Prof. Milica Bajic Brkovic, ISOCARP President, as well as Prof. Piotr Lorens, ISOCARP Vice President responsible for the Young Planning Professionals Program. During the official part of the event the speakers expressed their satisfaction with the successful completion of both courses as well as their hopes for developing further joint projects.
Al Ain Municipality
On April 20th 2015 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, ISOCARP has successfully completed the “Introduction to Urbanism I” course, which was aimed at advancing the planning knowledge and practical skills among the group of Emirati planners. The program included the theoretical and practical parts and was attended by diversified group of over 40 participants. Each of them, besides completing the theoretical parts, also had to develop the practical assignment associated with re-planning the different parts of the sites that await development in Al Ain. Therefore, the outcomes of the course shall also be used in professional practice of Al Ain Municipality – Town Planning Sector.
The graduation ceremony gathered both course participants and Al Ain TPC management representatives. On behalf of ISOCARP the ceremony was attended by Prof. Piotr Lorens, ISOCARP Vice President responsible for the Young Planning Professionals Program as well as Ms Anamika Mishra – one of the course tutors. During official part of the event the speakers expressed their satisfaction with successful completion of both courses as well as hopes for developing further joint projects.
Download the Report.
Course Schedule and lecturers
Training round 1 (19-30 Oct 2014) – Al Ain
Module 1 and 2 – Christian HORN
Modules 3, 4 and 5 – Martina JUVARA
Modules 6 and 7 – Ibrahim MNEIMNE
Modules 9 and 10 – Ali ABDELHAMID
Module 8 – Taru JAIN
Training round 2 (2-13 Nov 2014) – Al Ain
Modules 1,2 and 3 – Ali ABDELHAMID
Modules 4 and 5 – Dorota KAMROWSKA
Modules 6 and 7 – Mohammed AL ANI
Modules 8, 9 and 10 – Martina JUVARA
Training round 3 (23-27 Nov 2014 / 11-15 Jan 2015) – Abu Dhabi
Practical Excerise
Workshop-based “Introduction to Urbanism part II” course – as the follow-up project for the graduates of the already completed course “Introduction to Urbanism”
This program is intended for the group of Young Planning Professionals who have already completed the first round of training – namely “Introduction to Urbanism”, 2013 and/or 2011 editions. Therefore, its scope and content is developed in order to provide the participants with abilities to translate the knowledge gained during the already completed modules into the practical planning skills. Therefore, it is based onthe workshop format (similar to YPP workshop/ training).
The objective is to provide the Young Planning Professionals with understanding of the comprehensive urban planning process in the context of the Abu Dhabi realities. Therefore, the training program will be composed of the two types of teaching activities: workshop sessions (5 days in total) and introductory lectures. The subject of the workshop will be to outline and roughly draft a development strategy for the preselected area.
Course Schedule and lecturers
“Introduction to Urbanism part II” – Abu Dhabi (9-13 November 2014)
Pedro Garcia (5 teaching days); Eva Lazarevic (5 teaching days); Ibrahim Mneime (5 teaching days)
Call for Interest
Call for Expression of Interest Abu Dhabi and Al Ain2014 (the call is closed)