VCUQ in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Housing hosted day two of the Annual Tasmeem Design Conference.
The day began with a presentation by Yasser Elsheshtawy titled "Informal Urbanism; Dubai Transient Spaces" which discussed the relationship between the built environment and human behaviour. The presentation went into detail about Dubai's forgotten urban spaces, areas such as Satwa and Karahma where immigrant or temporary workers lives are situated.
"Dubai is described as the centre of a new global system; this maysound wonderful and seductive but the country lacks character. In theory Dubai is the model for the new Middle East, however the reality is very different. If malls like those that are in Dubai were built in a place such as Cairo it would cause many problems and create a rift in between the less wealthy and the upper class in the country" explained Elsheshtawy.
Sheila de Bretteville's presentation discussed her research into the neighbourhoods where her projects are sited, which aim to sustain their local populations. Her latest project titled 'The Big Dig' aims to restore an elevated train track in order for the local community to have access to the shore. The project hopes to try and recover the quality of life lost back into the community
DeBretteville explained how conversation is sustainability and that all human beings are equal in conversation, a metaphor enriches and extends an idea. One must ask, listen and call attention to both what is there and what is missing.
"As one goes up the ladder in society they become more alienated. The working poor in the US have a real connection with one another and a real sense of community, which the upper class has completely lost." she noted about the different levels of society in the US.
Nicholas Blechman founder and editor of the award-winning magazine NOZONE and Art Director for The New York Times explained how he wanted the designers of the his magazine to be able to work outside the confinements of other magazines such as Fortune and Newsweek. With the creation of NOZONE he managed to take art direction to another platform and defined himself as an underground publisher whilst keeping himself true to form.
During the presentation he showed a short movie that included many of his covers for the Week Review from the New York Times and also scenes of life at the NYT.
Anita Ahuja president of Conserve presentation 'Community in Need of Design and Design in Need of Community' started with a short documentary which was featured on CNN's Global Issue programme which explained her Re-cyling Program .
The program was designed to tackle urban poverty and the alarming rise in the rate of the number of urban poor within India, a problem which really bothered Ahuja. The designer in her looked for a solution to these problems as well as the problem of plastic waste.
This led to the re-cycling of waste polythene bags and turning them into handbags and other products. The handbag was chosen initially because Ahuja noticed that these days the handbag is an accessory which has been turned in to an economic social status symbol, she wanted the concept of re-cycling to have the same economic status.
This project has created employment for scores of underprivileged people and also become a solution for solving the problem of plastic waste. The range has now been extended to creating footwear, cushions, jewellery, lamps, boxes and books.
"Everything we do can be art, everything can be infused with beauty and creativity, even waste. There is a close relationship between design, innovation, employment and wealth generation" said Ahuja.
Yasmeen Lari Pakistan's first female architect discussed the elements for sustainability in design in her presentation. She explained the importance of incorporating elements of strong local culture in to design fostering a sense of identity, minimizing the climate change i.e. promoting energy efficiency, the improving of biodiversity and giving regard to the needs of the future.
"As the world turns in to a global village, we need to hold on to the past, like precious silverware. Cities are for people not for cars, I am all for banning cars from cities. We need to look into ways of creating cities for people's enjoyment not as a stage setting" said Lari.
