Annual Report 2010 | 2011 - Columbia Global Centers

Major Upcoming Events
Urban Planning Workshop – The Center is organizing an urban planning workshop to be held in March
2012, titled, “The Middle East’s New Urban Landscape: Inclusive Urban Planning or Democratic Deficit?” The
proposed workshop, spearheaded by Dr. Luna Khirfan, Visiting Fellow at CUMERC, will bring together
an interdisciplinary panel of scholars to present their findings on public participation in Middle East urban
planning. The workshop will focus on building and contributing to theoretical concepts in urban planning
and political science on the issues of democratic and inclusive urban planning in the Middle East; proposing
new methodological approaches to the study of Middle Eastern cities drawn from urban planning, urban
geography, political science and Middle Eastern studies; and providing innovative empirical studies of Beirut,
Cairo, and Amman.
Participants will also each author a book chapter that will culminate in a publication, the value of which is
multifold—particularly given the absence of research that connects notions of best practices in participatory
planning and their application in Middle Eastern contexts. The proposed book is also meant to offer an original
in-depth comparative analysis of a number of urban development cities in the Middle East.
Economic Development Conference – The Center plans on holding a conference in 2012 on economic
development and reform priorities for Jordan and the Middle East, which will address the country’s most pressing
economic challenges, as well as integration with the region. The conference will be designed scientifically to
connect international experts with local and regional specialists and practitioners to discuss economic reforms
and develop tangible, action-oriented and time-specific recommendations that stem from cooperation between
the governmental, non-governmental, academic, and private sectors. The recommendations will focus on
political development, youth engagement, and economic, health, and social policy reforms.
World Science Festival – The Center is planning to host events in association with the World Science
Festival in 2012, which will highlight the connections between modern science and historic advancements
in Islamic science, and is expected to attract participants from across the Middle East. It is envisioned that
a series of events—including experiments, workshops, and a street festival—will complement the program,
and that students will play a leading role in highlighting Islamic achievements throughout history and in
modern science.
Alumni Symposium – The Center will host a second Middle East Alumni Symposium in the fall of 2012
in collaboration with the Columbia Alumni Association. The two-day event will include panel discussions,
networking events, dinners hosted by alumni, and various trips and excursions in Jordan. The symposium
is still in its early planning phases, but will feature renowned speakers from Columbia University and the
region. It is envisioned that the panel discussions will focus on themes such as the economy, water and energy,
public policy, and arts and architecture. The event will help further strengthen the University’s connections
to alumni throughout the region.
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