Abstract:

The issue of historic cores ‘livability’ may be tackled from socio-spatial and networking viewpoint. The process of regeneration is not only physical rehabilitation but also human and social restoration. Essentially, the problem of any sustainable development, including regeneration and revitalization of decaying historic cores, relates to social cohesion and economic prosperity in relation to the strata of the society mapped into space. The built (artificial) and natural environments, which are simply integrated contexts, catalysts, settings, containers and physical forms for humans and their social system (society), are secondary problems to that of socio-spatial issues of any sustainable development. Yet, every revitalization programs start with restoring the physical condition not the the real people and their knowledge of the place. Jeddah's Heart socio-spatial network has become a case study in social movement with spatial awareness.

Short Profile:

Dr. Ziad Aazam brings some 23 years of multi-disciplinary design, planning and management skills and experience to his role with AECOM Arabia.

Dr. Aazam specializes in the leadership of and technical input to complex and multidisciplinary urban development projects. He understands the multi-dimensional challenge in overseeing the urban development activities in cities, in undertaking the role of planning the development process and in activities of design at various scales ranging from individual buildings to urban context. He understands the needed requirements and skills to overcome such a challenge as a team member and in relation to stakeholders.

His latest professional experience was with Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), a municipal development company, in a range of project management activities with international consultants, spanning a range of deliverables including structural planning, city spatial framework, affordable housing guidelines, real estate market information system, real estate registry systems implementation and urban development strategy. Such activities involved tasks such as consultants’ proposals evaluation, requests for proposal, contracts’ scope of work preparation, team-work building and leadership in knowledge share.

In addition, his PhD research into the impact on society and culture by the spatial nature of urban components at various scales of the built environment, city, context and building provides another dimension into the understanding of cities and built form. His professional experience in architectural design and project management in both design office and construction field and his constant global outlook with regards to work experience, academic and education has placed him in various worlds of networking and connectivity.