Talks on sustainable Cebu set

A series of talks titled “The Sustainable City Dialogues 2012” will be held in Cebu on Feb. 7-9.

Dr. Abdoumaliq Simone and architect Senen Antonio will be the resource speakers.

Dr. Simone will discuss “Living viable lives in large cities” on Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at the USC-CAFA Theater and “One humanity, one city” at 2 p.m. at the St. Theresa’s College Auditorium. On Feb. 9, a press conference and book launching will be held at 11 a.m. at the CAP Art Center on Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, followed by a discussion on “Creating future cities: People and place-making by Dr. Simone and Architect Antonio at 1:30 p.m. at the same venue.The activity is organized by Movement for a Livable Cebu, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Omnilogy Inc. in collaboration with United Architects of the Philippines, St. Theresa’s College, MISSION and Projek Samadhi. It is presented by University of San Carlos, College of Architecture and Fine Arts (USC-CAFA) and the Metro Cebu Development and Coordination Board.

Dr. Simone is an urbanist and professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

He is known for his thought-provoking treatises on the role of the urban majority in creating a “city yet to come,” highlighting the need for a better understanding and appreciation of the broad social, economic and historical conditions of so-called “failed cities.”

Architect Antonio, on the other hand, has almost 20 years of experience in planning and urban design, urban development and renewal, architectural design and graphic design.

He works as a partner with Duany/Plater-Zyberk and Company, a company known for their advocacy of promoting pedestrian-oriented, mixed use and compact urban growth.

Archt. Joseph Michael “Yumi” Espina, lead organizer and dean of USC-CAFA, said the Sustainable Cities Dialogues 2012 is an opportunity for architects and urban planners, property developers, policy makers, business leaders, school and government officials and the general public to know the issues and problems facing Metro Cebu and the solutions and approaches that can be done to ensure Metro Cebu’s sustainable progress.

Admission is free.