Under the banner of “World Cities Day”, a collaborative initiative that was a defining youth-led contribution to Urban October between Global Shapers Manama Hub, Global Shapers Budaiya Hub, Bahrain Science Center for the SDGs, and UN Habitat.
The World Cities Day Event was hosted by Sustainability Consultant Afra Cader, who brought a global perspective to the event. It commenced with a discussion panel, initiated by the Global Shapers Manama Hub, titled “The Intersection between Architecture and Well-being” and was followed by an interactive session by the Global Shapers Budaiya Hub, titled “Find Us at the Park Understanding the power of Collaboration.”
The panel was organised and moderated by MA Sustainable Urban Design Graduate Zainab Khalil – who is currently a General Engineer at the Ministry of Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs. The panel brought about a delightfully insightful discussion about the effect of architecture on physical, social, and mental well-being, drawing upon the expertise of 3 speakers, Dr. Hawra Al Sheikh, Eman Nooruddin, and Samah Hussein.
Dr. Hawra Al Sheikh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Interior Design at the University of Bahrain. Psychotherapist Eman Nooruddin is the founder & Owner of Insights Therapy – an organisation of licensed psychotherapists and psychologists dedicated to mental health and wellness. Architect and Designer Samah Hussain is the founder of White Architecture and Design Practice.
Together the 3 speakers graced the panel with their knowledge about:
- How architectural elements influence psychological and emotional states
- Designing for social interaction and community building
- Integrating nature and biophilic design for improved well-being
- Balancing aesthetics, functionality, and health in architectural projects
- Future trends in wellbeing-focused architecture
Following the engaging panel discussion, the World Cities Day Event shifted into an interactive session focused on re-imagining open spaces for public use. The session, spearheaded by the Global Shapers Budaiya Hub, highlighted their project in collaboration with UN Habitat Find Us at the Park. The discussion brought together four esteemed speakers: Mohamed Dadabhai, UN Habitat Representative; Nasser Ahmed, Urban Planner and Budaiya Shaper; Maryam Abdali, Mechanical Engineer and Design Engineer at BFG International; and Afra Cader, Sustainability Consultant. Together, they spoke on how the project came to life, showcasing its evolution, milestones, as well as its success and challenges.
Key themes explored during the session included:
- Data Collection: The panel emphasized the significance of gathering both qualitative and quantitative data to better understand thermal comfort levels and existing park conditions. This evidence-based approach is critical for informing sustainable urban planning decisions.
- Community Engagement: Speakers discussed strategies for fostering a sense of co-creation among collaborators, ensuring that local communities feel connected to their parks.
- Interactive Project Evolution: The session demonstrated how collaboration between experts and the community can drive innovation and shape the next phase of a project.
Through these discussions, the Find Us at the Park project served as an example of how civic engagement and data-driven methodologies can intersect to create impactful urban solutions.
By intertwining the innovative efforts of the Manama and Budaiya Hubs, the World Cities Day Event underscored the potential of youth-led initiatives in addressing pressing urban challenges. The session left participants inspired to envision and advocate for greener, more inclusive public spaces that prioritize well-being and sustainability.
To conclude the World Cities Day celebration, the event partnered with UN Habitat’s Buthoor Campaign, distributing trees to participants as part of a broader afforestation initiative. Attendees were educated on various tree species, emphasizing their importance, and were able to practically take a step forward to build green spaces within their own homes following the event.
