March 12th, 2015: Research conducted by Canadian University Dubai (CUD) Assistant Professor, Dr. Hoshiar Nooraddin, in collaboration with fourth year Architecture students at the University, has recently been presented at the 7th International Urban Planning Conference in Ajman.
The research paper, entitled ‘Dubai the City of One Thousand and One Events: A New Trend in Urban Design’ explored how the city has made events a generator of its urban life. It considered various case study locations, including Dubai Festival City, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, to evaluate how events create a focal point, and how they impact upon the design and quality of life of urban neighborhoods.
Speaking about the foundations for the research, Dr. Nooraddin said, “Within three decades, Dubai has created an urban container for events. The City presents a unique case within contemporary urbanism, where events are among the basic pillars for the city’s architecture, its urban design, its functions, and urban life.”
The fourth year Architecture students contributed to the research by visiting the case study sites. Student Mariam Abdalla explained, “We looked at the sites in terms of location and design, captured imagery of the facilities and infrastructure, and assessed the quality of life features that might impact upon, and be impacted by, the events the sites would host.”
The case studies revealed that different design techniques had been used in each of the locations, depending on the nature and audience of the events it would host, illustrating that the urban planning and architecture had been conceived with direct reference to the needs of the event participants.
Dr. Nooraddin concluded, “Each particular case study has been designed to contain different types of events for different types of users in order to make the projects successful. Both physically and virtually, these event spaces are becoming the medium by which the urban consciousness of Dubai’s population is cultivated, and how the meaning of their city and dwelling community is nurtured.”
This is the first time that Architecture students have contributed to the findings of live academic research at CUD. Student Alaa Al Saif commented, “The experience has helped us to think differently about projects and has changed the way we approach practical assignments, because we now have insights into real-world architectural challenges.”
Dr. Nooraddin said, “This applied learning will provide students with a distinct advantage when they look to employment or further education in the field. The experience has already been applied in their studies and the knowledge and techniques they have learnt will set them apart in their future careers.”
The research findings were presented by Dr. Nooraddin and published in the International Urban Planning Conference proceedings, which this year focussed on the theme ‘Planning for Event Cities’.
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