The conference will outline the problems with urban areas that are not properly integrated, the trends that are now changing the planning context and the solutions that are proven to work.

PROBLEMS

• The global financial crash and on-going financial squeeze from an urban perspective; how scattered land development contributed to the G.F.C.
• The cost of urban sprawl and scattered land use, especially from iconic projects that are not integrated into urban infrastructure.
• The challenge of continued urban growth (as cities become more globalized) with less fuel due to the plateau and expected peak in world oil production and the global expectations around reducing carbon (the age of scarcity).

TRENDS

• The changing investment away from freeways to railways: 82 metros in Chinese cities, 14 in Indian cities and a commitment from Middle Eastern governments to invest over US$100 billion in new rail projects over the coming years.
• The 'peak car use' phenomenon whereby car use is now in decline in most industrial cities (peak occurred in 2004). This is due to the combination of congestion, fuel prices, increasing densities (reversing 100 yrs of decline) and a revival of city centres and urban culture (as against suburban culture).
• The growing adoption of carbon reduction goals by governments across the world and the subsequent shift in investment to renewables-based power as against fossil fuel-based power (now 2:1 after peaking in 2008).

SOLUTIONS

• Transit Oriented Development (TOD) – ensuring that urban development is focused around railway stations, or Development Assisted Transit (DAT) where land development around proposed stations is used to help pay for the rail project. Case studies of TOD and DAT success will be outlined from across the world, including the Middle East.
• Pedestrian Oriented Development (POD) – ensuring that where dense cities exist or are being planned that urban design enables the linkages between buildings and to major transit services, and that this favours the pedestrian. Walkable cities are attracting the knowledge economy, jobs and capital as people need good places to meet and enjoy. Case studies of cities that have reclaimed their pedestrian realm will be featured.
• Green Oriented Development (GOD) - the focused centres of cities need to be integrated not just with public transport and walking but with the growing world of electric vehicles – electric bikes, electric autorickshaws, and electric cars. These need to be provided with recharging facilities in these centres and they are best charged by renewable energy provided in these green centres. Case studies on the integration of renewable, smart grids and electric vehicles provides the third key element of integration across the 21st century city.
• These concepts will be built into the conference over four days of intensive activity. This will be followed by tours and networking opportunities.
• The conference will have local speakers and case studies combined with site visits to key UAE sustainability sites which will be hosted by industry experts. Expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates from around the world, ITIC is the first conference of its kind to bring together such an illustrious line-up of speakers, research fellows and practitioners in a single location.