In its constant endeavour to present best learning and career development opportunities for its next generation urban planners, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environment had recently provided Emirati urban planners at UPC, the opportunity to represent Abu Dhabi at the Vancouver Laboratory on Urbanism.
The workshop on urbanism which commenced on June 14th at Vancouver witnessed the presence of twelve Emirati urban planners from UPC who along with practitioners from all over the world participated in the two week programme which was organised as a summer institute by the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia.
The course which was conducted in studio format was aimed at studying the Vancouver planning experience in both substance and approach and compare it with conditions and initiatives in the participants' respective home cities. Lectures and presentations were offered to explain and critique the Vancouver model, and to articulate theories upon which it is founded, whilst also offering contrasting experience from elsewhere.
Applauding the UPC's urban planners on the successful completion of the course, H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) said "The development of a new generation of national urban planners who are able to discern their communities' needs is one of the key priorities for UPC"
"The participation of our planners at the Vancouver laboratory on urbanism is yet another initiative that the UPC has undertaken to strengthen the knowledge foundation of Emirati planners who will ultimately manage and meet the urban environment needs of the next generation Arab Capital", added Al Ahbabi.
Besides this initiative, the UPC has persistently pursued an active Emiratisation programme, which the UPC has been promoting with its regular participation at key career events in Abu Dhabi including Tawdheef and other job fairs.
In order to promote higher education and employment opportunities for suitable Emirati talent, the UPC had also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) to promote higher education that will aim to provide scholarships to select students who are pursuing their studies in the undergraduate programmes at the local Government as well as international universities. The students bestowed with the scholarships will also be employed with the UPC after the completion of their graduate programmes.
UPC's benchmark sustainability programme, Estidama had also recently unveiled a 'Fareej Design Contest' which was open to all universities in Abu Dhabi. The contest engaged university students in architecture, urban planning, engineering and related disciplines to learn and apply the lessons of sustainable design and construction for the design of a sustainable Emirati villa integrated in the local traditional neighbourhood – Al Fareej.
A special engagement programme was also organised last year at the Al Ain Women's College, wherein students were exclusively briefed on the key aspects of Plan Al Ain 2030.
With a group of qualified Emirati planners already working for the UPC along with its participation in key educational programs like the Vancouver Urbanism Workshop, UPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to groom a new generation of young Emirati urban planners, who are able to combine a fundamental understanding of their community's need with international best practices, skills and experience, which is aligned with the UPC's vision of 'Planning Abu Dhabi for the Next Generation'.
