Introduction:

The human being is the primary factor in cities, being the major vehicle for the mobility of all walks of life, moving on foot from place to place, for centuries. With the economic and social changes brought about by the technological boom, cities are now filled to the extent with the modern means of transportation and communication. Modes of living and housing were also changed. This is recognized in town designing where the vehicles gain more consideration and roads capture wider spaces than walking passages; a matter that constrains the human being mobility and interaction.    

In advanced countries the inadequacy of the humanitarian aspect was recognized in cities, and they have started to reconsider fostering it.   

 Now, it is essential for us to reconsider our town planning and foster the humanitarian aspect, by allocating recreation places, safe walking-passages, playing and cycling fields, parks, and multi-usage open spaces. Also, it is important to organize activities that foster the humanitarian aspect and allow meeting and interaction among all sectors of the community: children, the elders and the handicapped.

Significance:

This symposium is intended to shed light on the inadequacy of the humanitarian aspect in the modern city, and the impact of town planning and designing of residential environments on the issue. It will lay emphasis on the best means for avoiding the negative aspects when planning new cities, re-planning or partial re-planning of the existing ones. The symposium is an opportunity to exchange expertise and experiences as well as comparing among them. It will review the most recent actions taken to enable the city become more humanitarian. 

Objectives:

1- To highlight the importance and advantages of fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities.

2- Review the solutions and alternatives applied, for the improvement of methods of planning and re-planning of cities, to foster the humanitarian aspect.

3- Present the role of municipalities in the prevalence of the humanitarian aspect and review its requirements.

4- Review the role of the private sector and civil society in fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities.

5- Highlight the role of media and education institutions in fostering the humanitarian aspect.

6- Review the local, regional and international experiences in creating safe (and potential) environments for fostering the humanitarian aspect and achieving the concept of “Cities friendly with all”.

Themes:

1-       The concept of the humanitarian city and its requirements.

2-       Laws and regulations of urban planning and designing, required for fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities.

3-      Hygienic, psychological, and social advantages of fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities.

4-       The role of municipalities, other related government departments, and the civil society organizations, in facilitating the humanitarian environment.

5-       Local, regional, and international significant experiences in fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities.  

Organization:   *The municipality of Riyadh region, in cooperation with the    Arab Urban Development Institute.

Methodology:

- Key-note-speakers.

- Scientific researches and papers.

- Discussion panels.

- Experiences of municipalities and other related departments.

- Field visits.

Who should attend:

- Officials from government departments and municipalities.

- Researchers and all those concerned with the issue.

- International organizations and specialized scientific institutions.

-  Private sector institutions interested in the issue.

Exhibition:

A specialized exhibition will be organized and various governmental departments, companies and establishments will present their experiences and means adopted for fostering the humanitarian aspect in cities. 

   Venue:         King Fahad Cultural Centre, Riyadh.

   Date:            5th-7th Jamad Thani 1429H (10-12 May2008).

   Language:   The official language of the symposium is: Arabic language.