Sustainable Cities and Communities

Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

This programme offers an innovative approach to the study of Archaeology and Heritage, that is based on new technologies and experiential learning. It is multidisciplinary, yet, it gives priority to Archaeology and Heritage with particular focus on the challenges faced in Abu Dhabi and the Emirates in general.

The university offers special rates for students and staff at prestigious institutions like the Louvre, Guggenheim, and Qasr Al Hosn, not only enhancing their educational experience but also encouraging cultural engagement. providing a great opportunity for them to explore art and history firsthand.

The conference delved into the rich history of Saqqara, using Imhotep as a central figure to explore architectural innovations, religious beliefs, and ongoing archaeological discoveries, presented by two specialists of Saqqara. Dr. Bruno Deslandes, Architect and Director of the Latvian Archaeological Mission of Saqqara, and Dr. Alain Zivie, Egyptologist and Director of the French Archaeological Mission of the Bubasteion at Saqqara. 

The conference aimed to share the experiences and lessons learned from Montreal's urban development with the context of rapid urban transformations in the United Arab Emirates. This knowledge transfer is crucial for promoting sustainable urban development practices globally.

The event provided access to knowledge and insights into art history, specifically focusing on Islamic and Arab archetypes, modern geometric art, 19th-century art, and the works of significant artists like Van Gogh, Canova, Reynolds, and Lawrence.This contributes to cultural and artistic education,

By showcasing art that blends ancient Islamic and Arab archetypes with modern art, the event contributed to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage within the community.

At the crossroads of disciplines, this scientific conference looked at the various stages in the restoration of the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, from the first measures taken at the time of the fire to the archaeological research carried out subsequently during the works.

The conference explored restoration techniques, digital tools for heritage preservation, and lessons learned from heritage disasters, all of which are crucial for sustainable cities and communities.

The comparison of restoration projects in Paris and the Arabian Peninsula highlights the importance of context-specific approaches to heritage conservation.

The exhibition aimed to highlight various aspects of Japanese culture and art, with a particular focus on textile art, with the kimono as an emblematic example. It focused on preserving and promoting cultural heritage, which is a key aspect of sustainable communities and showcased the importance of traditional crafts and their role in cultural identity, emphasizing the interaction between tradition and modernity.

The event focused on how oasis agri-urban systems, developed over thousands of years, offer solutions for addressing global warming. These systems created sustainable microclimates through a combination of dense housing, intensive agriculture, and the use of local resources. Unlike modern industrial-urban systems, which rely on fossil fuels and generate pollution, oasis metabolisms promote circular economies and sustainability. The event highlighted two key methods for establishing sustainable agri-urban systems: reusing treated wastewater and eco-construction. It emphasised that drawing inspiration from these ancient systems could provide a path forward for adapting cities to climate challenges and reducing global warming. 

The event discussed the future of cities in the context of eco-technological innovation, with a focus on smart and knowledge-based cities. It emphasised that economic imperatives must no longer outweigh ecological concerns in the face of the planet's environmental challenges. The city of the future, especially in the Anthropocene era, must redefine the concepts of intelligent, sustainable, and resilient urban living. Innovation in these cities depends on the interplay of various elements within the innovation ecosystem—much like in nature, where growth and sustainability are shaped by surrounding conditions. The examples of South Korea and Morocco were highlighted as interesting case studies for integrating both ecological and technological dimensions in urban planning, showing the need for cities to balance these aspects for sustainable development.