Recognized as one of the world's most influential female Arabs, architect Zena Malek has emerged as the most outspoken critic of how cities are being built in the Arab world.
Architect Zena Malek's "loudly-expressed conviction that developers need to think about 'concepts' in cities is starting to pay dividends."
"...Considering this region has some of the world’s fastest growing economies, now is the time to make the most of new opportunities. But nobody, absolutely nobody, is doing that, she argues."
"...'People all around the Arab world just assume that it is very expensive to do a concept. But then many people just have lazy minds. Some of them try to pretend they are leaders when they are not. When I go and sit in a building in Dubai Marina it feels exactly the same as sitting in a building in Diera. There is no new experience for me. Let us not pretend these are new concepts. All of our Arabic cities just have no identity,' she sighs."
...Another of Malek's projects is the creation of a piece of software, which looks set to revolutionise the mass-production and design of buildings as well as the way architects interact with their clients.
The programme, known as Sakani software, enables different configurations of houses, buildings, restaurants and facilities to be built through mass production methods. This means an entire housing development can be designed with each unit receiving an individual configuration."
Thanks to Arch News Now
FULL STORY: Urban Dreams
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie