Grant Associates contributes to book for UN’s World Urban Forum
Andrew Grant, founder and director of Grant Associates, has contributed to a book for the tenth session of the United Nations’ World Urban Forum (WUF10), taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) .
Entitled ‘Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation’, the book aims to provide a commentary for the prestigious event, bringing together essays authored by speakers and leading luminaries at WUF10.
Published by Routledge, the 226-page work addresses six distinct pillars of sustainability, covering social, economic, environmental, spatial, cultural and technological sustainability.
In his essay ‘Landscape Cities’, Andrew argues that cities should be defined by their living landscapes and nature, as well as their buildings, providing ‘life support systems’ for people and wildlife. Such ‘Landscape Cities’ offer a positive response to the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate emergency and biodiversity loss.
The book launch took place at WUF10, which started on 8 February and runs until 13 February, drawing people from across the globe to come together to share their expertise on creating sustainable urban developments.
Commissioned by the UAE’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the collection of essays is edited by award-winning architect, academic and television presenter, Professor Jason Pomeroy.
The work features essays by Abu Dhabi’s Cabinet Member and Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, along with contributions from other eminent academics, policy makers and practitioners drawn from various fields of expertise.
“By 2040 more than 70% of the global population will live in cities. At the same time, we are faced with the twin crisis of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. Set against this context, it is vital that our future cities are defined less by their buildings and more by their human life support systems, and especially their living landscapes and nature. These ‘Landscape Cities’ would help reconnect our culture, economy and wellbeing with global biodiversity and the health of the planet.”
Image: Madrid Castellana Norte