Abu-Ghazaleh to Host a Special Gathering for Members of the CSU in New York

Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chair of the Honorary Council of the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU), will be hosting an important gathering and dinner for the Honorary Council members, Board of Directors, Fellows, and CSU guests on September 20, 2017 in New York.

The CSU is a New York based non-profit organization formed to promote a better understanding of the role of sustainable urbanization and resilient design in the planning of cities.

The dinner will create an excellent opportunity to discuss issues related to what CSU is planning for the future which include various events and conferences such as a UN conference on Gateway Portals in support of the New Urban Agenda adopted by UN member states at the Habitat III Conference in 2016.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said: "The CSU has been an important player in improving the quality of life of many through bringing together academicians, experts and governments concerned with urbanization. This meeting will play a big role in laying out the foundation for a better future." 

Meanwhile and in the coming years, the CSU will organize a series of events that will examine various aspects of sustainable infrastructure.  These events will have a dual purpose: to bring together examples of best practices from around the globe and, encourage policy makers to embrace, emulate or build upon successes elsewhere and build their capacity where needed.

The dinner will also display books which were funded by Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh such as "Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants: Challenges for Sustainable Urbanization" and "The Future of Cities: An Integrated Approach to Urban Challenges".

A letter was sent by CSU President James McCullar to all invitees to attend this important gathering focusing on Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh contribution to the CSU.

It is worth noting that Senator Abu-Ghazaleh has chaired more than 14 UN taskforces and initiatives and was Vice Chair with Their Excellencies Kofi Anan and Ban Ki-moon of the UN Global Compact as well as being a member of several UN programs, most recently being named Special Ambassador to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and a member of the United Nations Social Impact Fund High Level Advisory Board (UNSIF-HLAB).

In addition to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, the CSU Honorary Council consists of: Ana Marie Argilagos- senior advisor to the Ford Foundation's Just Cities initiative, Margaret O’Donoghue Castillo- Chief Architect of New York City, Megan Sterling Chusid- a seasoned professional with over fourteen years of experience in the New York City Architecture/Engineering/Construction/Real Estate industry, Sarbuland Khan- former Executive Coordinator of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development.

Also Robert Geddes- co-founder of Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, GBQC, Architects, Thomas G. Dallessio- President, CEO & Publisher of Next City, Inc., Carmi Bee-designer of Smart Housing, Vincent Boudreau- interim president of The City College of New York, Tom Wright- President of Regional Plan Association, Theresa Williamson- Winner of the 2006 Tech Awards from the Tech Museum of Innovation in Silicon Valley, Erich Winkler- Information Technology Professional and Maxinne Rhea Leighton, Associate AIA.

Meanwhile the CSU is headed by President James McCullar- founding principal of James McCullar Architecture, PC., Vice-president Aliye Celik- Representative to the United Nations at United Cities and Local Governments and Board Members Lance Jay Brown- principal of Lance Jay Brown Architecture and Urban Design in NYC, Fellow of the Institute for Urban Design, and ACSA Distinguished Professor at the Spitzer School of Architecture, CCNY, Prof. Urs Gauchat-Dean of the College of Architecture and Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology,  Dr. Oner Yurtseven-Professor Emeritus of Electricla and Computer Engineering and Dean Emeritus of the School of Engineering and Technology IUPUI and Theodore Liebman- architect, planner and a Principal at Perkins Eastman.