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Forging Relationships Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates in the heart of the Middle East, was the venue for Cityscape 2002 – The 1st International Commercial Architecture, Property Design and Development show accompanied by the 4th International Property Investment and Management Conference (IPIC). Here, the world’s leading architects gathered along with renowned property and investment experts, building designers and architects from the US, Europe, Middle East and Australasia to examine major challenges facing cities and urban development in the Middle East, created by expanding demographics and increasing demand on housing and infrastructure. The first event in the region to combine a conference and exhibition in the same venue, addressed varying paradoxes prevalent to this region, from shifting real estate patterns to humanizing of cities, from mergers and acquisitions to Islamic financing; from globalisation to sustainability and from alienation to preserving cultures in this new millennium. Held at the prestigious Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, the conference played host to international and regional property investment and development experts, along with world-class property architects and designers who presented studies on the current ‘state of the art’ projects being undertaken in the region and globally. Said Mansour Al Othaiman, Director, Emaar Properties, “Together, we hope to share best practice on urban development and new innovative development techniques, while at the same time addressing the various challenges facing real-estate industry in the region…given that real estate industry in the region is on high growth curve, a forum such as Cityscape 2002 is all the more relevant.” Supported by governments, multi-nationals, municipalities, major landowners, international property developers and investors, it provided clients access to both the regional and international public and private property sectors and the ideal sourcing ground for profeesional design and build services Suponsored by Dubai Development & Investment Authority, Emaar, Aqar Developments, Al Oula Developments and Tabreed and Architecture+ (amongst others), the exhibitors included architects; design specialists; consulting engineers; project managers; lighting and landscape architects; integrated building system providers; major contractors and urban planners. The highlight of the event was Cityscape Young Architect Award, hosted by Emaar Properties. Khaled Nahhas won the award for his Blue Fig Cafe Project, based on the philosophy of timeless architecture. With 75% of last year's exhibitors returning this year, Cityscape 2003 is billed to be "bigger and better". To be held in Dubai's latest landmark, the new Grand Hyatt Hotel, October 18 – 20, 2003 with the support of Dubai Development & Investment Authority and other leading developers, the event will become one of the world's leading annual events, attracting international investors to an annual showcase that celebrates the very best in architecture, urban planning and design. The core aim again, of this unique event is to bring design professionals together under one roof, to forge relationships, re-evaluate traditional design procedures and practices as well as construction methodology and techniques, to meet future challenges in a unified approach in one of the world's most dynamic regions in building activity. This year’s event will also be supported by international Architectural institutions such as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) amongst others. Due to the success of Cityscape Dubai, Cityscape will also be launched in London in November, 4 – 6, 2003 immediately following on from the Dubai event. “Cityscape is a movement for innovation and change. The launch of the London event has come about due to the support of RIBA, CABE and Channel 4 television as a result of what has been achieved here within Dubai. It is all about how bringing together such groups can openly benefit the environments people live in. In some cases, a different set of circumstances apply when addressing issues in the UK however, the aim still remains the same. Cityscape London is set to be a pivotal point for the industry and creating an international dialogue between architects, designers and developers between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom,” said Hudson.
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