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ABU DHABI: The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM) kicked off its WUF “UniverCity’ Programme at Cityscape exhibition last week. During the exhibition, the DPM invited 11 leading universities in the UAE to attend a session at its stand where professors and students were briefed on the tenth session of the World Urban Forum 10 (WUF10) taking place in Abu Dhabi in 2020. A presentation was given to the students on the importance of youth involvement in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and on the objectives assigned to the SDG Youth Advisory Council created in October 2018
The theme of WUF10 is ‘Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation’. For the first time, culture, creativity and innovation will be at the center of the global conversation about the livability, vitality and sustainability of cities. Creativity and cultural diversity have always been key drivers of urban success. Cities now require public spaces for innovation and collaboration where youth can think and experiment. It is already known that the skills in demand in the next 10-15 years require fluency of ideas, creativity, ability to think systemically, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
The ‘UniverCity’ platform which has been spearheaded by the DPM in partnership with the regional office of UN-Habitat is designed to support dedicated sessions at the WUF10 campus, SDGs and the second session of the Pan-Arab Urban Development Symposium (PAUDS). The initiative has a number of key objectives, most important of those is to establish a two-way collaborative research initiative that taps into the resources, knowledge and expertise of the DPM and its strategic partners and universities across the Arab world. The initiative also aims to build active participation from students and universities in shaping the skills required for urban planners of the future and a process for co-creating a common future for urban planning with a particular focus on SDG 11. What the programme promotes is that we have a lot to gain by sharing experiences and creating meaningful knowledge transfer mechanisms.
H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the DPM said: “Universities occupy a strategic role in shaping the next generation of leaders in the UAE. We want to motivate young people across the UAE to learn about urban development and contribute to the shared goals of the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda. This programme is a crucial component of engaging young people with WUF and furthermore in new ways of thinking about the development of our cities.”
Students and professors from well-known Emirati Universities attended the DPM’s University Day at Cityscape. They were invited at the WUF lounge to complete the SDG 11 backdrop and indicate which target is a priority to them. The main outcome of this exercise was a list of cross-sectoral priorities to improve sustainable management in Arab Cities. Students identified these challenges as areas of shared interest where collaboration and innovation can transform the way Arab Cities will tackle urban sustainable development.
In the lead up to WUF10 the WUF ‘UniverCity’ programme will involve expert planners from the DPM participating in a range of events including university lecture series at universities across the UAE, and exploring the 4 initiatives that the DPM will be developing along with its strategic partners centered around its 4 pillars scheme (city investment platform, cultural indicators, inclusive cities and environmental initiatives) as well as editorials and podcasts that will be hosted on the PAUDS website.
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About World Urban Forum:
Established in 2001, the World Urban Forum is the world’s premier gathering on urban issues. The Forum examines the impact of rapid urbanization and its implications for social, economic and environmental policies in communities, cities and towns. UN-Habitat, the convener of the Forum, is the United Nations focal point for sustainable urban development working for an inclusive and prosperous urban future.
The Forum will bring together some 20,000 delegates from more than 150 countries. It will provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships and engagement and demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating sustainable and context-based practices in developed and developing countries.
Placed under the theme “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation”, WUF10 will be an opportunity for Abu Dhabi to further showcase its achievements in promoting and implementing sustainable urban development as well as playing a significant role in leveraging innovation and cultural. Key topics including human capital, resource management, education and mobility, data and much more, will also be discussed during the five-day conference.
About Abu Dhabi Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities
The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM) was established by Law No. 5 of 2018 and is the entity responsible for supporting the growth and urban development of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The expert authority guides, regulates and monitors urban development activities, improves municipal work to provide comprehensive services and creates higher living standards for residents through the supervision and management of the municipalities and municipal councils.
The DPM ensures the use of best practices in all aspects of its business, and provides advice on urban development and municipal services, in line with the highest international standards. One of the DPM’s top priorities is to fulfil the vision of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, which draws on the vision of our UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Abu Dhabi will host the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) in 2020. This will mark the first time when an Arab country will host the landmark conference. In close collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), the DPM will organize the conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on:
Hamdah Al Shamsi
Director Media Affairs
Phone 024096347
Ruqaya AlSuroor
Assistant Senior Manager – Events
Email: Ruqaya.AlSuroor@dpm.gov.abudhabi
Phone 024096272
Anthony Hughes
Anthony.Hughes@newgatecomms.com
Shaimaa Aly
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