Climate-Resilient Urban Development
Sheher Saaz’s Weekly Newsletter / Edition: 5 / December 24, 2024 World Bank Initiates $1 Billion Program for Climate-Resilient Urban Development The World Bank has launched a $1 billion program to help cities in the Global South enhance resilience against climate-induced disasters. The initiative, known as the Urban Climate Resilience Initiative, focuses on sustainable infrastructure, […]
Transforming Road Safety: How Saudi Arabia is Setting New Global Standards
In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to public safety and sustainable infrastructure development, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leading force in revolutionizing road safety standards. The recent Road Safety and Sustainability Conference and Exhibition in Riyadh has highlighted the Kingdom’s extraordinary progress in this crucial domain, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward […]
Revolutionizing Urban Planning: The Top 10 AI Tools You Need to Know
Imagine cities where congestion is a thing of the past, housing is optimized for every resident, and environmental resilience is embedded in every corner. This isn’t the distant future—it’s happening now, thanks to AI. Urban planning, once defined by labor-intensive processes and guesswork, is undergoing a radical transformation. AI-powered tools are turning complex datasets into […]
COP29: A Turning Point for Climate Action
Sheher Saaz’s Weekly Newsletter / Edition: 4 / December 17, 2024 Global Perspectives COP29: A Turning Point for Climate Action The COP29 Azerbaijan Summit in Reykjavik has marked a significant milestone in climate diplomacy. Key decisions included a Global Carbon Tax Framework, ensuring a steady flow of funds to climate-impacted nations, and the ambitious plan […]
Notre Dame Cathedral: A Triumph of Resilience and Restoration
Sheher Saaz’s Weekly Newsletter / Edition: 3 / December 10, 2024 The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has reopened its doors after a painstaking five-year restoration following the devastating fire of April 2019. The project combined ancient craftsmanship with modern engineering, restoring its iconic spire and using fire-resistant oak and lead materials for its roof. […]
COP16 Riyadh: A Milestone for Land Restoration
COP16 Riyadh: A Milestone for Land Restoration Sheher Saaz’s Weekly Newsletter / Edition: 2 / December 5, 2024 The 16th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-13, 2024. This critical summit is focused on tackling desertification, land degradation, and drought resilience, key issues […]
Cities in Transition: From Resilience to Revolution in Urban Planning
Sheher Saaz’s Weekly Newsletter / Edition: 1 / November 25, 2024 The World Cities Report 2024, published by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) , calls cities both problem and solution in the climate crisis. The report emphasizes that while urban areas produce over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they also offer trans-formative opportunities […]
Green Bonds, Global Impact: Saudi PIF’s Bold $5.2 Billion Investment in a Sustainable Future
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken a transformative step toward sustainability by allocating $5.2 billion for green bonds and sukuk. This move is a bold statement of intent to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the global green financing revolution. The issuance of these green bonds supports Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious […]
Women Mobility in Public Transport: Barriers & Solutions
Cities are growing at an unprecedented rate, with around 55% of the world population living in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to 68% by 2050 (United Nations, 2018). Every week, over one million people migrate to urban areas, increasing the demand for existing transportation systems (Shin-Pei Tsay, 2013). This rapid urbanization challenges sustainable […]
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems in Urban Planning
Urban planners face numerous challenges regarding the development and growth of cities as they aim to provide residents with essential infrastructure and services. To address these challenges effectively, remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are being deployed for improved precision and streamlined planning procedures. With RS tools like satellite imagery or aerial photography […]