R to L David Smith, founder Affordable Housing Institutes, USA, Ahmedt Misbah, Mayor of Boyoglu, Republic of Turkey, Jaime Lerner, three time Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil and Lee Yi Shayan, Senior Minister of State of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Nation Development, Singapore. — SG photo by Roger Harrison Roberta Fedele Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia's fast-growing population and rapid urbanization rate convinced the organizers of the 2013 Jeddah Economic Forum of the necessity to devote this year's program to an analysis of the crucial challenges to which decision-makers and investors are exposed in developing competitive, attractive and sustainable housing projects within newly built or existing cities, the forum was told on Sunday. Not merely based on the concept of delivering dwellings in sufficient quantity, the housing model explored at the forum takes into account the larger role of city planning and the relevance of the public and private sectors' engagement in giving birth to locations that should not only represent commercial or industrial hubs but entertaining, eco-friendly and people-oriented localities, organizers said. The main speakers of the forum's second session, former Governor of the Brazilian state of Parana Jaime Lerner, Mayor of Beyoglu (Turkey) Ahmet Misbah Demircan and Singapore Senior Minister of State at the Ministries of Trade & Industry and National Development Lee Yi Shyan, evaluated some aspects of this complex matter, bringing examples from their personal experience to identify what they believe are the key factors to make a city capable of attracting people and global capital. A fundamental prerequisite to succeed in building competitive and attractive cities is, in Lerner's opinion, the ability to consider the city as a living creature, favor cultural diversity, keep a focus on sustainability, have a clear strategy in developing an urban plan and rapidly involve and commit people to it. He said: “Whenever a city experiences housing difficulties, the root of the problem and the solution to it should be searched in the structure of the city itself. “Cities are living systems that can be compared to turtles whose shells resemble urban designs. “If we cut the turtle's shell, the animal will die. In the same way, towns that segregate people by age, income, ethnicity or religion are destined to die.” A renowned architect and urban planner who has been mayor of Curitiba three times between the 1970s and 1990s, Lerner considers mobility, sustainability and people's coexistence part of an inseparable structure. The urban system of his city of 2 million people, Curitiba, is based on an efficient subway system, imitated by 121 cities, and the understanding that the future belongs to smart buses, taxi, bicycles and subways. Aware that 75 percent of carbon emissions are caused by cities, Lerner designed and displayed around the world prototypes of small electric cars that could substitute normal cars on routine itineraries. Lerner has three pieces of advice for people willing to promote a sustainability concept: “Use less your car and find an alternative for daily itineraries, separate your garbage and live close to your workplace or bring work closer to home. Sustainability is an equation between what we save and what we waste.” Firmly convinced of the key role played by social diversity to make a city attractive, Lerner particularly insisted on the importance of discouraging the formation of separated communities: “In my town, I've always encouraged the diverse neighborhood. People don't have to work only. They have to live together and the more they mix the higher will be their quality of life and chances to be happy and satisfied.” Lerner concluded his intervention stressing a fundamental issue: “Cities are made of people and if people are skeptical regarding an urban plan, the project will not succeed. Involving citizens through concrete demonstrations is essential to make them cultivate and sustain a shared vision.” As mayor of one of the largest and most economically successful districts of Istanbul, Demircan shared Learner's opinion regarding the importance of doing good planning, involve citizens and set precise goals to attract investors. Stressing the multicultural dimension that is part of Istanbul's charm, he said: “To have good living standards and be competitive in a globalized world, it's necessary to establish precise goals. “In 2004 we decided to set our goals focusing on the immense historical heritage of our district. “We invested billion of dollars and rehabilitated 5,000 buildings creating 35,000 job opportunities. “Istanbul is a successful example of the importance that diversity plays in shaping a vibrant city where people want to live in. “Different religions, cultures and ethnicities are perfectly integrated in our city and a variegated architecture reflects our diversity. “Diverse buildings mirroring other countries' cultures make people feel at home also when they are abroad.” Singapore is another successful multiracial society in which churches, mosques and temples are close to each other, encouraging people to interact within a precious common space. A proper urban planning, governmental efforts and good social policies are, according to Shyan, the secrets behind this small state's high quality of life. He said: “The government played a major role in creating eco-towns capable of hosting 82 percent of our population in public houses. “Since the 60s we face the constant challenge of maintaining a competitive economy, an eco-friendly living environment and enough spaces for recreation and leisure. “Our multicultural dimension allows even more energy to flow through our cities. Just like Turkey, we are traders used since centuries to welcoming foreigners in our land and making diversity our added value.”
