International Workshop on Sustainable Cities:

Issues and Challenges of Rapid Urbanization

January 28-29, 2020

Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad
Deadline for Applications: January 04, 2020

Currently half of the world’s population is living in cities and urban areas, and the number is
projected to increase to seventy percent by the middle of the 21st century. With climate
change and natural disasters posing new challenges, there is a growing market for smart,
sustainable, and resilient urban infrastructure planning and development. Information and
communication technology companies are cooperating with city administrations for
improvements in such areas as transportation, clean drinking water, water use, safe cities,
location of social services, energy efficiency, green buildings and waste management.

In realization of the similar challenges faced by the OIC Member States, COMSTECH is
organizing a 2-day workshop, on 28-29 January 2020, on sustainable urbanization. The main
objective of the workshop is to bring together academic and industry experts, company
executives, and developers from OIC Countries to discuss how policies, technology, and best
practices can trigger transformations towards smarter cities. This will help in improving the
well-being of citizens, and ultimately contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Resource persons for the workshop would be experts in various areas of
Urban & Regional Planning, Infrastructure Management, Sustainable Transport and
Environmental Management.

The major workshop themes are planned as follows:

1. Affordable and Sustainable Transport
2. Urban Infrastructure Management
3. Affordable Housing/Green Buildings
4. Supply of Potable Water
5. Waste Management
6. Challenges & Emerging Opportunities
7. Role of Local Governments
8. Environmental Impacts/ Air Quality

Target Audience:
 Scientists, Engineers, Environmentalists and Technology Developers
 Policy Makers and Regulators
 Senior Managers from Municipal Corporations
 Experts from Academia & Industry
 Entrepreneurs, Vendors and NGO’s
 Financial Institutions / Urban Infrastructure Developers
Resource Persons:
Leading national & international experts with experience in technology development, urban
& regional planning, policy frameworks will conduct the workshop.

Invited Organizations:
World Green Building Council
Qatar Green Building Council
Masdar Institute, UAE
Regional Center for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (RCREE), Egypt
IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency, UAE
Regional Environment Center for Central Asia (CARECECO), Kazakhstan
Housing & Building National Research Center, Egypt

Travel & Local Hospitality:

COMSTECH will provide accommodation and meals for selected participants from OIC
member states, and for those residing outside the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Travel grants are not available. Airport pick- and- drop service on arrival and departure will
be provided to all participants upon prior information.

Registration Process:
Step 1: Download application form from http://comstech.org/docs/sustainablecities-2020.docx

Step 2: Read instructions in the application form carefully and submit properly filled form
along with your CV to hanifa@comstech.org . Foreign participants must submit scanned copy
of first three pages of their passport along with the application form.
Step 3: Selected candidates will be notified through email hence, applicants are required to
regularly check their emails.

Workshop Coordinators
Hanifa Beg Syed Muhammad Shaharyar
Programme Manager, COMSTECH Programme Officer, COMSTECH
Tel: +92-51-9220681-3 Fax: +92-51-9205264, +92-51-9220265
Email: hanifa@comstech.org Email: shaharyar@comstech.org

Technical Committee
Dr. S. Khurshid Hasanain (Advisor COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad)
Muhammad Haris Akram (Programme Manager, COMSTECH Secretariat)
Mr. Ahmed Sohail (Consultant World Bank)
Ahmed Ammar Yasser (Corporate Engagement Specialist, Arizona State University)