Keynote Speakers

Girne/Kyrenia: Communicating Across Cultures | Past, Present & Future

Prof. Dr. Suha Özkan, Hon FAIA, Founder and President of the World Architecture Community, was a keynote speaker for the AIA Europe International Conference with concurrent student competition: Girne/Kyrenia - Communicating Across Cultures.  Social-economic and cultural sustainability to promote rural and urban transformation was the theme of the international event. 

Prof. Dr. Özkan discussed the impact of international design competitions for sharing and fostering knowledge globally; specifically, he addressed the projects of the recently juried Science City International Architecture Competition, and the impact of the project on the local community near Cairo, Egypt and beyond.  The competition was realized under the auspices of Biblioteca Alexandrina, regulated by the International Union of Architects (UIA).  The winning project was executed by Weston Williamson + Partners, UK. http://bibalex.org/sciencecity/Winners/Index.aspx

Stressed during his presentation was the importance of open communication between stakeholders to further the understanding of the local social-economic, cultural and environmental conditions. With the goal of achieving long-term effects on local human and natural resources for economic benefit, without sacrificing environmental safety and social well-being.  

Prof. Dr. Özkan also spoke briefly about the mission of The World Architecture Community http://www.worldarchitecture.org and Bodrum Architecture Library which holds a great archive of 10,000 books and 20,000 documents.  Members are welcome to join The World Architecture Community and to donate to the library. Please contact the organization directly.

Keynote Speaker Professor Murat Soygeniş, AIA RIBA PhD, Founding Partner and Principal of S+ ARCHITECTURE, discussed public spaces, memory of the city and the symbolic qualities of urban and architectural spaces in his lecture at the AIA Europe International Conference Girne/Kyrenia: Communicating Across Cultures | Past, Present and Future.

Professor Soygeniş’ presentation examined urban integration, regeneration and renewal, and how they can be used as tools to better the quality of urban life through several samples of architectural projects.

Elaborating on the issue of ‘public space,’ Professor Soygeniş looked at Istanbul's Taksim Square in terms of its spatial, architectural and urban characteristics, and how the immaterial characteristics of space have impact on citizens’ memories, and thus, become powerful symbols with respect to ‘place’ as shown in the Taksim case study. The presentation continued with triggered questions, such as how ‘urban integration’ could be a tool for regeneration of urban districts, how the boundaries of urban districts could be redefined as introduced in the case studies, and how urban renewal could change the urban scene. 

Professor Soygeniş concluded his presentation by going through some of his own architectural work, with emphasis on urban renewal and explained how he finds solutions to urban renewal / regeneration / integration issues. At the end of his presentation, he suggested that ‘Borderlessness and Integration’ be its assigned title; hoping that integration could be used as a tool for improved use of public spaces.

For further information: http://www.splusarchitecture.com