As 2013 folds out, we will start a new ”Round Up” series to remember the great projects we have on herskhazeen. We thought it would be great to recognize and promote Urban Master Plans and Urban Projects as they hold a great role of planning in creating livable communities. The main image belongs to Massar Rose Garden in Syria, a winner proposal that was initiated in 2005 by the “Syria Trust Development“ as a national educational and cultural program for children and adolescents, which was designed by the Danish architect Henning Larsen and is currently under construction “stopped due to the current situation in Syria.
Collective Towers by Adrian Lahoud was one of the most read articles on herskhazeen in the Urban tag. Lahoud’s proposal explores the problem of recent advent of technology and globalism, which is being replaced with generic forms of high-density development, with a tower that has a reduced footprint that minimally disrupts the fabric of the existing city.
A great example of embodying sustainability with urban planning, Bab Al Bahrain Urban Oasis by Influx_Studio which explores the value of the cultural and natural landscape inheritance as a design opportunity to address climate issues in public space, while catalyzing the urban potential of the site in the emerging new city urbanity.
The Aga Khan nominated project for 2013 cycle, Reconstruction of Nahr El-Bared Refugee Camp in Tripoli, Lebanon was a collaborative project between United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA), Nahr el-Bared Reconstruction Commission for Civil Action and Studies (NBRC) and most importantly the community of Nahr El-Bared.
Another great project form Nativity Square in Bethlehem, Palestine by Yousef Anastas – AAU ANASTAS; A Stone Pavilion which adapts traditional techniques to the imperatives of resistance within the framework of the Palestinian public space. HKZ featured The Stonesourcing space earlier as a concept. AAU ANASTAS raised funds to support the realization of the project. On Monday, September 9th 2013 – AAU ANASTAS along with the people of Bethlehem celebrated The Stonesourcing space inauguration at 7.00 pm at the nativity square.
The most recent Urban Master Plan in the Middle East is the Sustainable Master Plan for Dubai’s Winning World Expo 2020 Bid. Dubai has been chosen as the site of the 2020 World Expo. HOK led the design team that developed the master plan for the Expo, which is expected to draw more than 25 million visitors.With its mixture of education, innovation and entertainment, the plan reflects the wonderful qualities of Dubai and the form and spirit of a World Expo. The site is on the southwestern edge of Dubai in Jebel Ali, near Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port.
More Urban Projects click here
For other HKZ2013 Highlights click here