HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attends 'Landscaping of UAE Cities' event along with experts in fields of environment and architecture
Dubai, UAE, February 20, 2013:The challenges of creating a green landscape and ensuring the UAE's cities are environmentally sustainable were debated by key decision makers in the worlds of environment and architecture at the Canadian University Dubai.
With the region's construction industry on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways to take on these challenges.
The event was organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who attended and participated in the event. The Canadian University Dubai and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture Dubai were co-hosts. Speaking at the opening, Dr Karim Cheli, President of the Canadian University Dubai, said: "It is an honour to have His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum participate in this.
"A sustainable and green landscape is an important component in every city's architecture and urbanization, mainly because of the contribution to a healthy living environment. This event allowed us to discuss the issues involved, and encourage further research and action."
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA stressed: "'The water scarcity is a core development issue in UAE. Right now, 11% of the total water use in the country is dedicated to landscaping and this rate is on the rise, as the urban population is growing.
Managing landscapes especially in arid and hyper-arid environments such as UAE is a real challenge, and requires innovative approaches, such as using the right plants which are drought, heat and salt tolerant; using the right irrigation technologies, and safe use of treated waste water. Within this context, native plants have great role to play in UAE cities landscaping" Various researchers from the Canadian University Dubai and the ICBA presented papers and spoke on their areas of expertise. Architecture students from the Canadian University Dubai also had the opportunity to present their work on this issue. His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum also presented a series of awards to students.
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