How architects deal with recession

An architect plannerfrom Edge Hill University has been invited to Kuwait to share his expertise with staff and students on culture, sustainability and the built environment.

Dr Tasleem Shakur, a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and founderEditor of Global Built Environment Review has been asked to help celebrate the 10^th anniversary of this world renowned journal by taking part in special events at the College of Architecture, Kuwait University, from 24^th to 30^th September.

As part of his visiting professorship, Dr Shakur will launch a design studio project, deliver lectures and presentations and co-ordinate a two-day international workshop entitled Culture, Sustainability and the Built Environment: Revisiting Heritage and Vernacular in Economic Decline.

He explained: "Global warming and climate change are widespread and need adequate responses from architects and educators. With the current economic recession impacting on the built environment we really need to critically review future design processes to ensure that tradition and heritage are balanced against the more modern architecture.

"I will be addressing some of these complex issues in my key note address and I will also discuss the progress of the Global Built Environment Review, which is a piece of literatuere that is internationally respected and is constantly evolving. In this celebratory workshop I will highlight the successes of the journal over the last 10 years and it will also be a great opportunity for contributors and students to discuss contemporary issues of culture, heritage and the built environment."

They will look at a number of topics, including contemporary identity in the built environment, sustaining the built environment during the economic downturn and urban regeneration of heritage.

Dr Shakur said: "I'm really looking forward to my visit because it will not only raise the profile of Edge Hill University internationally but will allow me to explore new collaborative partnerships and projects and to share best practice. More importantly, what I learn will have a direct input to my teaching at the University, which will benefit our students."

The journal can be downloaded free of charge (with accessibility to all archived issues)by visiting the University's hostwebsite www.edgehill.ac.uk/gber.