As part of her work as an International Advisor on sustainable urban development to Syria Ministries in 2010 – 2011 (Ministry of Local Administration and Ministry of Presidential Affairs), Dr Roudaina Alkhani was commissioned to overview planning activities for the Damascus Metropolitan area.
Roudaina offered extensive feedback on Damascus Master Plan reports addressing Damascus City and guidance to the local and international teams working on the Damascus Master Plan and the Region of Rif Damascus (Damascus Metropolitan Area excluding Damascus City).
Roudaina emphasised the importance of a strategic approach in approaching the Master Plan, addressing major gaps/challenges and building on strengths to promote a sustainable city and growth in the capital in its surrounding. She advised that major plan aims (and underpinning analysis and evidence) should focus on promoting Damascus as a good place to live in, and as a dynamic city that should grow in harmony with its environment while connecting with its identity. She also emphasised a planning approach that bases on dialogue with key stakeholders.
Roudaina’s focus was placed on ensuring sustainable development and coordinating visions, strategy development, spatial planning and cross-sector development across the two plans, addressing how the capital functions as a whole and the profile of different urbanities, connectivities and complementarity and their governance. Roudaina advised creating a greater synergy between public transportation and urban growth, a holistic resource and waste management (water and waste) and an outlook to renewable energies.
She recommended that this should take place in the framework of a comprehensive strategy for Metropolitan Damascus.
Roudaina had previously commented on an earlier report addressing Rif Damascus, prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as she worked as an international advisor to German International Cooperation GIZ.
Photos from left to right:
Zabadani in Rif Damascus; Maloula in Rif Damascus; Damascus Old City ©Roudaina Allkhani; a neighbourhood in Damascus ©Roudaina Allkhani
Post Featured Image: ©Maps