Organizing the first students of Architecture Photography Exhibition, Bahrain

One of my Profound Experiences at University of Bahrain

As a professor of Architecture at University of Bahrain (2004-2009), I had the opportunity to engage my students in an interesting experience to understand the relation between people and places, new architecture and old heritage. The work of the students was submitted in the format of digital photos. Outstanding results came out of this exercise. The exhibition was held in Jamsheer house, the Bahraini center for architectural events. 

I was honored by having a wonderful group of creative students who made the event the talk of the city.

“Talking Pictures – Bahraini Architecture in the Eye of Future Architects"

University of Bahrain Liaison Person and Exhibition Curator:

Dr. Ali Alraouf

University of Bahrain

Email: alialraouf@yahoo.com

Book chapter in Tomorrow Today,Education for sustainable development

Alraouf, Ali A. 2010. “ Education for sustainable development in higher education: the experience of Gulf Universities” Book chapter in Tomorrow Today, UNESCO (London: Tudor Rose). ISBN: 0-9536140-85.UNESCO publication “Tomorrow Today”

To mark the middle of the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), in close cooperation with the publishing house Tudor Rose, UNESCO have prepared and published a book “Tomorrow Today”, containing outstanding ESD related experiences and good practices from various institutions and organisations around the world who share their vision and approach to taking action today in order to bring about a more sustainable tomorrow. Institute of Sustainable Education form Daugavpils University was one of the few education and research related institutions in the Baltic area which were granted the honour of presenting their experience in this notable book.

A special focus of the book is education as a means for achieving a better future for everyone. The Institute of Sustainable Education contributed its experience in reorienting teacher education to address sustainability, as well as establishing and maintaining close international partnership in researching and implementing the aims of the UN Decade through BBCC network, annual JTEFS/BBCC conference “Sustainable Development. Culture. Education” and scientific journals – Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability and Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Development. The book “Tomorrow Today” was officially presented during UNO General Assembly on November 4, 2010 by Director-General of UNESCO Ms Irina Bokova.

State of the Arab Cities Report 2012

UN-HABITAT launched its first-ever State of Arab Cities Report. 

My contribution focused on Qatar and Bahrain. I delivered extended reports which dealt with Manama, Muharraq and Doha. Additionally, I served as an Editorial Board Member.
http://i2ud.org/portfolio/state-of-arab-cities/

Research Presentation at Cambridge University

Prof. Al A. Alraouf will deliver an extensive research presentation on Gulf cities’ urbanism and energy challenges at the Gulf Research Centre at the University of Cambridge UK in July.

Prof. Alraouf’s paper “Contemporary Gulf Cities' Urbanism: The Dilemma of Unsustainable Developments and Energy Conservation” discusses how, with the transformation from relatively low-tech, desert dwelling, pearling-based settlements to complex oil and gas financed economies with dynamic urban landscapes, Gulf communities are failing to heed fully the demands of the sustainability agenda. There is an urgent need for the implementation of sustainable strategies in the design and development of cities in the region, the paper states, noting that much can be learned from traditional Gulf and Middle Eastern architecture, community planning and cultural sensibilities. Through a marrying of the lessons of the past with the technological solutions of the future, a context-based urban landscape may emerge with a socially-driven character of its own, that champions sustainability over and above what is purely modern and new.

http://www.qu.edu.qa/newsletters/campustoday/article.php?id=4075

2nd international symposium on Sustainable Development.

2nd international symposium on Sustainable Development.

Qatar University

November 3 -5, 2009

http://www.qu.edu.qa/SocSciNadwa/09/index.php

Qatar University's Architectural Exhibition 2012

“Al- Mouharraq- Architectural Heritage of A Bahraini City”

 

Alraouf, Ali A. “Al- Mouharraq- Architectural Heritage of A Bahraini City”. Full Arabic Translation and Editing. Original text by John Yarwood and English editing by Sohail El-Masri.. Published by Ministry of Information and Culture. Kingdom of Bahrain. 2005. ISBN No: 99901-37-19-6.

The book focuses on the architectural heritage of Muharraq, an important historic town in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is based on Dr. John Yarwood's detailed study of the town, which was carried out during his work in Bahrain from 1983 to 1985. Publishing Dr Yarwood's work is not only a recognition of the authenticity and comprehensiveness of his work that remains till today the most original and complete piece of research about the traditional architecture and urbanism of Muharraq. It is also an acknowledgement of the continuing validity of the issues and lessons discussed even at that time, especially the destructive impacts of rapid urbanisation on the traditional areas in Bahrain and the need for a comprehensive conservation strategy. The book is structured into three main parts: the first part, organised into four chapters, aims to provide background information regarding Urban Structure and House Layouts; Building Elements and Crafts; Building Construction and Materials; and Development of Architectural Styles. The second part, arranged into three chapters, provides a Detailed Analysis of Twelve Buildings; Descriptive Accounts of Selected Features from Thirty Two Buildings; and Analysis of Structure and Buildings in Al Suq. The third part, with one chapter, concludes the book by discussing the Traditional Architecture of Al Muharraq between Past, Present and Future. The book ends with a comprehensive Glossary and a Bibliography. Dedicated to Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Wife of H.M The King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and foreword by Sh. Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Asst. Undersecretary for Culture and National Heritage Affairs, this book also boasts of 6 exceptional pages of paintings by famous Bahraini artist Abdul Wahhab Al Kooheji.

My Book Chapter on the Father of Deconstruction J.D. (in Arabic)

My Book Chapter on the Father of Deconstruction J.D. (in Arabic)

Alraouf, Ali A. chapter author titled “The Triology of Derrida, Deconstruction and Architecture” in “Jack Derrida, Retrospect” Al Banki (ed.) Published by Ministry of Culture and Information, Kingdom of Bahrain. 2009. PP: 104-117. ISBN 978-99958-0-072-7.

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/05/06/article523116.html

http://adab.akhbarway.com/news.asp?c=2&id=30493

VCU Qatar Public Lecture

http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/events/pearls-harrods-and-fifa-de-constructing-future-utopia-the-narrative-of-doha-qatar/

Urban Design and Planning Graduation Projects at Qatar University 2012

Dear Professors, Colleagues and Friends,

It gives me a great pleasure to invite all of you to the coming "Exhibition, Presentation and Open Discussion" of the graduation projects  in Urban Design and Planning at Qatar University. Kindly find attached the event flyer. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any inquiries. I will be really honored by your valuable presence.

Warm Regards,

Ali

Emerging Middle Eastern knowledge cities: the unfolding story

Alraouf, Ali A., chapter author titled “Knowledge Based Urban Development: Planning and Application in the Information Era”. Tan Yigitcaular & V. Koray (eds.) Ali A. Alraouf, Chapter Author. IGI Global Publishing, USA www.igi-global.com 2008. Pp:240-259. ISBN No: 13:978-1-59904-720-1.

Abstract

Examination of the knowledge cities’ contemporary status reveals tangible developments and collective efforts for declaring and building such cities around the globe. On the contrary, Middle Eastern cities are building technologically isolated entities with the hope that they are promoting the knowledge city concept. An analysis of projects like Egypt’s Smart Village, Dubai’s Internet City and Knowledge Village, and Qatar’s Educational City and Science and Technology Oasis is insightful in the evaluation of emerging Middle Eastern Knowledge Cities. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the knowledge city concept in depth to relate it to the ongoing processes of creating knowledge-based economy developments in major Middle Eastern cities, particularly in Arab Gulf Cities. It discusses the principles of a knowledge city, and portrays its distinguishing characteristics and processes. In addition, the chapter introduces the concept of ‘urban creativity engines’ in the context of Middle East, and present examples of various types of creativity engines. Although this concept and its related terminologies are relatively new, the chapter proves that there are many historical examples of ‘knowledge cities’ and ‘creativity engines’ both regionally and internationally. A focus on the traditional built environment of the Middle Eastern cities is included to support the main argument of the chapter.

http://www.igi-global.com/chapter/knowledge-based-urban-development/25495

what-walkable-city-should-look

http://m.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/05/what-walkable-city-should-look

Hassan Fathy's Exhibition

Manama, Bahrain

Alraouf, Ali A. 2012. Manama, Bahrain. Book chapter in “Architecture and Globalization in The Persian Gulf Region. (Eds. Murray Fraser And Nasser Golzari). London: Ashgate.

City, Architecture and Color: Towards a Humanistic Dialogue

Alraouf, Ali A. 2012. City, Architecture and Color: Towards a Humanistic Dialogue (in Arabic). AEC plus Magazine for Architecture and Construction. Vol. 1, issue 7. PP: 15-19. N.Y., USA.  http://www.aecplusm.com/download/201205/cac/cac.htm