Islamabad:
The third international conference in Harappa brought together the main academics, urban planners, decision -makers and cultural experts from around the world in the Federal capital.
The theme, “human settlements in transition: from historic roots to future visions in South Asia”, it was launched on Friday at Comsats Islamabad University.
The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
In his speech, Dr. Chaudhry stressed the importance of learning from the urban heritage of South Asia to build inclusive and resilient cities.
He also underlined the role of the conference in the connection of the young student organization of the architecture department to their historic roots, encouraging students to contribute actively to initiatives intended for national progress.
He also expressed his determination to take into account his determination of the recommendations of these learned events for the development of policies and the relevant guiding bodies.
Addressing on occasion, Professor Rector of the University of Comsats Islamabad, Dr. Sajid Qamar, reiterated his commitment to strengthen the role of the university world in the preservation and promotion of built heritage.
Dr. Qamar said that we find ourselves in a critical junction where industrialization, urbanization and rapid technological progress reshape the very fabric of how and where we live.
In this context, revisiting the lessons of the past becomes not only relevant but essential. He said that, while our cities continue today to develop in an unsustainable way, we see several critical questions such as environmental deterioration and inequitable access to public spaces, for which we must move to vision for tomorrow while being founded in the wisdom of the past.
Offering the opening speech, Professor Dr Noman Ahmed, acting vice-chancellor of the University of NED engineering and technology, underlined the urgent need for inclusive, resilient and contextual urban planning to meet the rapidly evolving urban landscapes of South Asia.
