The round table discussion is aimed at enlivening the debate about possible policy options and intervention strategies, beginning with the experiences of institutions and organizations that operate on a global scale.
The panel will include members of the UN Task Force, committed to the formulation of strategies that will improve living conditions in the slums, representatives of the World Bank, university professors and researchers, architects and urban planners who collaborate in research networks examining urban problems in developing nations, with extensive experience in the field.
Invited panelists:
Alex Abiko, (Brazil), Professor at the Escola Politécnica of USP, University of São Paulo.His main field of work is housing and urban management particularly housing for low-income people and upgrading of urban settlements. His work involves lecturing, research and consulting activities. In recent years he has been involved in projects with ILO, UNDP, Cities Alliance and Brazilian Ministry of Cities and Science & Technology.
Author of several papers related to favelas upgrading, cities management and sustainability.
Pietro Garau, [moderator] (Italy), Architect and Urban planner, First Faculty of Architecture of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, University Council for
Marc Gossé (Belgium), Architect et Urban planner, with professional experiences in Africa, Asia and South America. Professor at la Cambre University, Bruxelles, where created and directed “Architecture et Développement” research unit, with the support of Belgian Federal Cooperation. Awarded in 1986 by the King Fadh for the preservation of the Cultural Heritage in Istanbul. Associated professor at University of Valladolid (Spain), Puebla (Mexico), Caracas (Venezuela), and at Ecole Nationale d’Architecture de Rabat (Maroc).
Rodney Harber (South Africa), Architect and Urban and Regional Planner in South Africa. In thepast he was at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban as Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Housing and Planning. His work has received medals of distinction, awards of merit and been widely published. He has lectured worldwide. Chairman of The Bureau of Education, Research and Technology (B.E.R.T.) which is an initiative of the Africa Union of Architects. He also represents Africa on the UNESCO Council and is co-opted onto the UIA.
Laura Machado de Mello Bueno, (Brazil) Architect and Planner, involved in social movements for the access to housing and urban services for the poor. Coordinator of the Sao Paulo Municipality Up grading favelas Program from 1989 until 1992. Professor in Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas Architecture and Planning School (FAU PUC Campinas) and in the Planning Master’s Course, responsible for Housing and Environmental Studies. Researcher in PUC Campinas’ CEATEC on water studies, watershed management, and prevent on and control of urban development impacts.
Geoffrey Payne, (UK) Architect. After experience in India, Iran and Turkey, he returned to England and founded the Geoffrey Payne & Associates. His experiences in India, where he conducts research on occupied housing in Delhi and other cities, led to a book on urban settlements in the Third World. Payne and his studio exercise their profession all over the world: an urban design project in Cuba; Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Iraq, Papua New Guinea and many other locations. Mohamed El Sioufi, (Kenya) Head of the Shelter Branch in UN-HABITAT, with 32 years of experience in architecture, housing and urban planning. His experience bridges, professional practice, academia, research, training and technical advise. Since 1995 he as worked for UN-HABITAT in training and capacity building, policy and technical cooperation and the development of global normative norms and guidelines. His experience in human settlement spans a variety specialized fields including capacity building in sustainable urban development including historic cores, housing policy and strategy, slum upgrading, climate change mitigation through sustainable building materials and construction technologies, post disaster rehabilitation, environmental planning and management.Info
