Tactical Executive Speaks at leading Global Environmental Symposium

Presents Paper on The Future of Urban Planning and Environmental Responsibilities

Sharjah, UAE, April 7/2007/ -- Samer Kamal, Chairman and CEO at Tactical Connections (an international business development and consulting firm that specializes in helping companies expand into the Middle East, Western Europe and North Africa) spoke today at the Sharjah Biennial Symposium on the future of global urban planning and our environmental responsibilities. Mr. Kamal presented a paper that addressed the major developments happening in urban planning today and what this will mean for citizens as they struggle with housing densities, infrastructure developments, waste/recycling policies, multiculturalism and other issues.

The Symposium is a program run in collaboration with RSA Arts & Ecology/Latitudes and the American University of Sharjah (AUS), and forms part of the Sharjah Biennial. The Symposium aims to explore specific aspects of the relationship between culture and ecology – and profiles the extraordinary work taking place in architecture, the visual arts, across new technologies, in design and on screen. Discussions involve artists, academics and students, architects and designers, people living locally and a number of key contributors from other continents.

“It was indeed an honour to be invited to speak at the Symposium,” exclaimed Mr. Kamal. “Not only did we have an opportunity to present our international perspective on urban and environmental planning, but we also gained new insight from the other notable speakers on the panel.”

Among others, Mr. Kamal was joined by Rula Sadik (General Manager, Design and Planning, The Design Group, Nakheel, Dubai) and panel chair George Katodrytis (Architect; Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture and Design, Professor of Architecture, AUS).

Some notable highlights from Mr. Kamal’s presentation include:

  • Cities are becoming less habitable over time and what lies ahead is more overcrowding and waste. The amount of land utilized to feed our consumption patterns as a society has actually outgrown the planet. The UAE consumes resources that represent the equivalent of 12 times the current UAE landmass. In order to make all the products, power all the houses and cars, feed all the people and manage all the waste produced by this society, the UAE would have to be 12 times larger than it is today to be self sustaining.
  • On average, UAE residents consume more energy, imported beverages, and consumer goods than anyone on the planet. We send approximately 1400 tons of waste to landfill per person from our homes and offices. We produce 1 million tons of construction and demolition waste per year in Sharjah alone. In Dubai and other Emirates we have started to consume the ocean to create new islands to sell real estate. Over 10 thousand tires go to landfill everyday!
  • The key recommendations for the future of environmentally-responsible urban planning include:
    • A vast and convenient public transportation network to reduce traffic and fossil fuel burning for energy
    • Community recycling centers to facilitate recycling
    • A large industrial complex to produce goods in the local market to reduce the distance that products travel before consumption
    • Local composting facilities to effectively use organic waste
    • Small landfills to handle the materials we cannot reuse or recycle.

Tactical Connections is the lead consultant to the Municipality of Sharjah for advising on all environmental programs.

About Sharjah Biennial
The Sharjah Biennial was initiated in 1993 and is produced by the Department of Culture and Information of the Emirate of Sharjah. It occupies a key regional position in the production and presentation of art and in fostering experimentation. The Biennial strives to encourage collaboration between artists, art institutions and organisations locally, regionally and internationally, and to promote cross cultural exchange.

About Tactical Connections
Tactical Connections is an international business development and consulting firm that specializes in helping companies expand into the Middle East, Western Europe and North Africa. As your regional partner, we use our in-depth industry and business process expertise, a network of international resources and a proven track record to deliver rapid success. When you're ready to grow – we get you there.

For more information: info@tacticalconnections.com

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