NEWS
Based On Linking Innovative Scientific Research with Sustainable Engineering Solutions.. The Conference on Sustainability and Resilience at UoB Calls for the Adoption of a New Model for Cities
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al-Sabbagh and Khadija Khalid)
24 November 2021
The Third International Conference on Resilience and Sustainability, which concluded on Tuesday (16 November 2021), called for the adoption of a new model for cities based on linking innovative scientific research with engineering solutions to ensure the sustainability of resources.
Participants in the two-day conference presented various researches linking architecture, structure, renewable energy, heritage, education, business and health with concepts of sustainability and achieving sustainable development goals.
In her opening statement in the Conference, the President of the University of Bahrain (UoB), Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahki, called on higher education institutions to contribute to limiting the damages of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic, by promoting innovative solutions and scientific research, and finding effective solutions that are compatible with local and global sustainability visions, stressing the importance of integrating science and research with planning policies and design applications.
While in its discussion session at the end of the event, which discussed 130 scientific papers, the Conference stressed the need to measure the effects of climate change on daily life, adopt sustainable building policies, reshape modern methodologies in construction and encourage national initiatives, such as the Sustainability Engineers Initiative.
The event attracted researchers and experts from many countries, including: the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, India, Morocco, Iraq, Pakistan and Indonesia, in addition to supporters, namely: the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as a technical supporter, the Intelligent and Sustainable Urbanization Research Laboratory, the Sustainable Energy Lab, and ITQAN Development Company.
Moreover, the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at BNP Paribas in the Middle East and Africa, Jerome Bonroche, spoke about the role of finance in combating climate change, pointing to the need for financial resources and investments to address climate change, reduce emissions, enhance adaptation to impacts and build resilience. Noting that the benefits from these investments greatly outweigh the initial costs.
It is worth noting that the Conference was held via visual communication technology, which discussed several topics, including: biodiversity and the environment, building systems and processes, building assessment methods and tools, building information modeling systems, climate change, cooperation for sustainability in the Asian region, approaches to creative thinking and sustainability, disasters and conflicts, and sustainable investment.
