Adapting to Climate Change in the Middle East: Opportunities within Soft, Compact, and Livable Cities and Neighborhoods

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Qualifications:

M.Arch (hon), FRTPI, Ph.D, BREEAM AP, AoU, Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design (UDG), PlacemakingX expert, ICOMOS Syria

Academic appointments:

Chair of Urban Design, University of Dundee, School of Art and Design (Architecture & Urban Planning)
Professional appointments:
Associate - Kevin Murray Associates
Associate - Proctor and Matthews Architects

Husam is an 'urbanist', with a background in architecture, urban planning and sustainability. He is currently Chair of Urban Design at the University of Dundee, having previously researched and taught at Reading and Liverpool universities. He has worked with various UK and International governmental and corporate agencies on research, training and engagement projects. Husam’s work has had a demonstrable impact in both academia and practice. He has a focussed interest in the past and future of sustainable places, towns and cities (including the 20 minute Neighbourhoods), and in particular the development of new approaches to sustainable urbanism and the way new methodologies are facilitated and managed. Husam is an award-winning author with published work on a wide range of subjects from architecture, urbanism, sustainability, and healthy neighbourhoods to the specifics of placemaking facilitation and performance evaluation. He brings insight to research, teaching, community stakeholder engagement and professional practice at the intersection between theoretical and contemporary policy and practice. Titles include: Site and Composition: Design strategies in Architecture and Urbanism; Rethinking Masterplanning: Creating Better Places; Unpacking the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods: disentangling “desired outcomes” from the “means” available for achieving them; Changing the Focus: Viewing Design-Led Events within Collaborative Planning; Unhealthy Neighbourhood “Syndrome: A Useful Label for Analysing and Providing Advice on Urban Design Decision-Making?; and ‘Urban design as a specialised, evidence-based, coordinated educational and professional endeavour’. His achievements have positioned him as a leading authority in the field and the first international scholar to win four prestigious awards by the Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE)—the Reed Mallik award and George Stephenson Medal—within the last eight years (2016, 2018 and 2023, 2024), bringing distinction, international exposure, and recognition not only to himself but also to Architecture and Urban Planning disciplines. Husam is a member of the Urban Design Group Executive Committee, and Honorary Chief Editor of the Urban Design and Planning journal. He was invited as an Official Observer and Presenter at COP26 in Glasgow, and more recently invited to speak at the World Urban Forum in Cairo in 2024.

Predictive Urbanism and Smart Growth: A Multi-Scenario Framework for Sustainable Development in Modern Egypt

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More Details about Prof. Mohamed M. Youssef

Professor of Urban Planning and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Mataria – Capital University, and Advisor to the University President, as well as Secretary of the Architecture and Urban Planning Committee for the promotion of professors and associate professors. She has over 20 years of experience combining academic and consultancy work, and has contributed to the preparation of strategic plans for cities and national projects in cooperation with governmental entities and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Her interests focus on strategic planning, urban management, and sustainability, with particular attention to the transition toward digital and green cities.

Humanizing architecture and urban planning in the age of technology: a predictive approach contributing to reshaping the future.

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With the increasing technological advancement that has affected architecture and urbanism in various ways and approaches—contributing, in one way or another, to reshaping architectural and urban products away from the factors that ensure spatial stability for people in different environments—it has become necessary to explore tools and concepts that can be employed to ensure a positive contribution to reshaping the future.

Accordingly, this paper aims to propose the potential role of human-centered principles and their variables in regulating and calibrating the digital transformation of the architectural and urban structure, with its various components (human, resources, and place), in a way that ensures the creation of a digital compass capable of redirecting the future and controlling the pace of its acceleration to achieve balance among all elements of the system over time.

Balancing Intelligence and Identity: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of AI in Contemporary Architecture and Urban Design

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This presentation explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in contemporary architecture and urban design, focusing on balancing technological innovation with the preservation of architectural and cultural identity. AI, like emerging renewable energies in their early stages, initially faced resistance due to risks, yet over time became a vital tool for addressing challenges, especially in developing countries. Similarly, AI offers significant opportunities in design and planning when applied thoughtfully.

The presentation discusses AI’s impact on architectural education and preparing students for future job markets, linking to conference themes such as Architectural Education and Scientific Research, Technology and Digital Transformation, and Governance in Architecture and Urbanism. It highlights the practical experience at Tanta University’s Environmental Architecture and Building Technology program, from the first cohort to graduation projects, as a case study showing how AI can enhance learning and design while respecting local identity and heritage, addressing the Heritage and Identity theme.

Furthermore, it examines AI’s role in delivering smart solutions, supporting environmental design and climate adaptation, and promoting sustainability and resource efficiency, aligning with themes of Smart Solutions, Sustainability, Digital Transformations, and Sustainable Urban Development. The presentation also acknowledges challenges, including potential loss of local identity, over-reliance on algorithms, and ethical concerns, emphasizing the need for education that combines technical skills with critical and creative thinking.

Overall, the presentation offers a balanced perspective on using AI as a tool for innovation without compromising identity, turning challenges into opportunities for resilient, inclusive, and context-sensitive cities.

Grand Egyptian Museum: Emblem for Eternity

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Currently, Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Ain Shams University and chairman of the Scientific Committee for Por Promoting Faculty Members. Graduated from Ain Shams University, received a Master Degree in Urban Design from Kansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Michigan, USA. Served as chairman of the architecture department from 2006 till 2017. He was appointed as faculty members in both West Virginia and United Arab Emirates. He supervised and examined more than 100 Master and Ph.D. degrees in Architecture and Urbanism, and published over 120 research papers in scientific journals and conferences. Founding Member and Board of Trustees in the European Universities in Egypt, EUE, and was Awarded Ain Shams University Appreciation Award in 2023.

Previously, Served as the General Coordinator for the Grand Egyptian Museum GEM Project from 2001 till 2010. Founding President of CONCEPT+ Architectural Consultancy, Founding Partner and CEO of 5+UDC firm: designed and executed +200 projects in architecture, urban design, planning, interior design, and project management and received LEED Gold Certificate from USGBC. Also, member of the consortium for developing the Masterplan of the New Administrative Capital and many other national projects in the New Capital Served as chairman of competitions jury in Egypt, USA, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UK, Emirates, South Africa and Germany.