Speaker session in progress at the 2016 edition of the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit

Sustainable Landscaping Techniques and Developments to be Explored at the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit

TUESDAY MAY 09, 2017

Held under the patronage of Dubai Municipality, the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit will take place on 15 and 16 May 2017 at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa. Organized by global conference producers, Expotrade, the two-day summit is expected to bring together over 400 senior landscape design architects, engineering consultants, urban planners, project developers, government and municipal officials.

The summit will begin with a keynote address from Heath Gledhill, Commercial Director, Landscape Architecture, Aspect Studios Australia on the topic Greening the City – “A place makers perspective”. He commented, “The presentation focuses its attention on the purpose of meaningful collaborations between designers and discusses the opportunities for and importance of “green” within our present-day developments.”

He will be followed by Morne Fourie, Vice President - Design, Dubai Parks & Resorts, whose presentation will emphasize on the art of public space & landscape design – exploring projects & applications in the Middle East.

Mr. Brad Hariharan, Regional Director, Expotrade Middle East, said, “With participation from more than 35 prominent organizations, the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit will showcase some of the most innovative solutions in smart and sustainable landscaping technologies. Widely accepted as the leading landscaping event in the Middle East region, the event will bring together industry experts from within the region and across the globe to engage in a cross functional dialogue on sustainable landscaping in the region with topics focusing on landscape design, sustainable planting schemes, irrigation, urban greenspaces and water conversation.”

The first day of the summit will also witness industry expert Robert Shakespeare, Group Design Director, Cracknell take the stage to share insights on the influence of landscape architects in shaping our cities, while James Kirkpatrick, Global Director of Masterplanning, AECOM will explore the topic of Landscape Manufacturing Value: The Impact of City-scale Landscape Interventions on day two. During his session, he will share insights on the significance and capacity of public realm to increase the social and economic value of cities with pertinent examples from Toronto and New York.

Keynote speaker Heath Gledhill, further added, “The summit provides an excellent opportunity for a collective of professionals to share ideas, techniques and technologies which will advance the practice of design and ultimately result in profound changes to the worlds landscapes and communities. The sharing of these ideas and the opportunity to connect with professionals from varying disciplines is an exciting prospect and I look forward to being involved in the summit.”

More information on the 5th Annual Middle East Smart Landscape Summit is available now at http://www.landscapesummit.com. Follow the Summit on social media with the hashtag #MESLS2017.