Introduction:

The technological boom during the past two decades called for great changes that affected all walks of life at almost all urban areas worldwide, and the Arab towns and cities are not an exception. This technological boom led to the emergence of diverse urban centers in economy, administration, residential areas and in services; an effect which contributed deeply to the changes in the features of some cities and challenges caused by the speedy development in the information and communication technology (ICT).  Such developments led to continuous leaps in the modes and the relationship between technology and development.

Today the Arab cities deal with the technological advancements in various aspects, as it became one of the urban contemporary necessities.

In light of these transformations which led to great changes in the concepts of administration, service delivery and economy, emerged the importance of utilizing modern technologies for municipal activities, capacity building, better services and method improvement, aiming to keep pace with technological facts and to work for the orientation of the development process.

Significance and Objectives:

This symposium will shed light on the importance of modern technology and its role in sustainable comprehensive development in the Arab cities, bearing in mind the challenges of globalization they face, while maintaining their characteristics. It is necessary to exchange local and global expertise and experiences in the fields of technology utilization, to achieve both aspects of development in economy and human resources.

This symposium will review the latest technological developments and applications, and how to utilize that for the benefit of the Arab cities, how to enhance, improve and administer the municipal services and public utilities, aiming to facilitate easy access.

The symposium aims to:

• Highlight the role of technology in fostering the comprehensive sustainable development process in the Arab cities and its role in better performance and improvement of local departments.

• Review alternative suitable technology for the improvement and provision of municipal services in Arab cities.

• Highlight the necessity of training, qualifying and improvement of man power to respond to the requirements of technology and development and review the available approaches in this field.

• Exchange expertise and review Arab and international experiences.

Themes:

Theme One:  Technology and City Development.

Technology means utilizing scientific knowledge for improving the aspects of human beings daily life.  Technology has diversified the forms and norms of human life in urban areas as new cities have emerged depending greatly on technology and as features of great cities have changed due to the abundance of tools and means of modern technologies.  More concern is now given to the invention of various new models to provide services to the citizens, a matter that attracted academics, related establishments and others involved in the field.

This theme shall emphasis the benefits of using modern technologies in local administration activities.  The topics of this theme will cover:

Ø      Converting from a traditional system in administration and responds to citizens needs, to a digital organization – challenges and constraints.

Ø      The role of technology in supporting and facilitating the process of decision making and policy setting, at cities and municipalities.

Ø      Adapting modern technology to local cultures and Arab society traditions and habits.

Theme Two:   Training and qualifying manpower to keep pace with technological advancements and development requirements

Government and training departments work hard to transfer and apply successful international training models to help their work forces in administering and implementing comprehensive development projects, a matter that necessitates new and improved methods in the field of training:

Ø      Approaches and techniques of modern training and the training programs required.

Ø      Training requirements for local administration sectors and advantages of training for  production efficiency.

Ø      Negative impacts of modern technology on traditional manpower.

Ø      Capacity building for better partnership and for fostering development.

Theme Three: Technology and Planning Strategies for Regional and Urban Development.

Regional and urban planning deals with economic, social and cultural facts in the medium and long run, and it requires new approaches and techniques that respond to the prevailing requirements and natural and social variables and also to the increasing role of the private sector in the field of planning, designing  and implementing projects.

Ø      Information Technology and its role in setting and planning development strategies and projects.

Ø      The role of private sector in implementing projects by using modern technologies.

Ø      Electronic know-how of performing and managing services and utilities.

Ø      Involving the citizen in decision-making.

Ø      Pros and cons of modern methods in provision of municipal services and facilities.

Theme Four:   Local and Global Experiences.

Ø      Review of cities experiences in using modern technology in local administration and development projects.

Ø      How experiences are reflected on manpower performance.

Ø      Lessons learnt.

Participants:

Competent and interested persons in applications of modern technologies in manpower development and services in cities and municipalities, academics, researchers, universities and institutions related to technology and development.

Organizers:

1.       The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) (Arab Towns Organization)

2.       Community Council of Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.

Structure:

-        Keynote Speakers

-        Specialized studies and researches by universities and related agencies, government departments and organizations.

-        Experiences: cities, municipalities, Central agencies, private sector and regional and international organizations.

-        Panel Discussions.

Symposium Language:

-        Arabic Language. ( Papers in English language will be translated into Arabic)

Date and Venue:

-        City of Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, during the period 04^th  -07^th  July 2007.

Registration:

Participants are kindly requested to complete the attached Registration Form and dispatch to the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) together with the appropriate registration fees either by a cheque on one of the Saudi Banks or transfer the amount to A/c.#(2120505089901), Riyad Bank, Takhassossi Branch, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Please fax the copy of transfer document.

* Fees to reach AUDI by 1^st April 2007. Failure to join the symposium does not give the right for returning back the fees.

- ATO member cities and municipalities                         S.R. 1125 (US$ 300)

- Other participants                                                       S.R. 1500 (US$ 400)

Fees cover: attending all sessions and events, symposium materials: (the book, CD, bag and participation certificate).

Late registration will be allowed on additional US$ 100 or equivalent.

Speakers who are selected to present research papers will be exempted from registration fees, paid return economy air ticket, accommodation and local transportation; during the symposium period.

Speakers selected to present experiences will be exempted from registration fees. Accommodation and local transportation during the symposium period will be covered by the organizers.

Symposium Opening:

Late registration and documents hand over will start from 6.00 p.m to 8 p.m the day prior to the commencing date of symposium; and will be continued on 8.00 a.m to 9 a.m next day, when the symposium will start.

Important dates:

Saturday 26^th August 2006 :           Announcement and request for abstracts

Saturday 30^th September 2006       :           Last day for abstract submission

21^st October 2006                          :           Notification of abstract acceptance

5^th January 2007                             :           Last day to deliver full paper

25^th February 2007                              Notification of papers acceptance and amendments required, if any.

10^th March 2007                            :           Last day to receive final amended papers

1^st April 2007                                 :           Notification of Paper acceptance

15^th May 2007                               :           Symposium book compiling and printing

04-07^th July 2007                           :           Symposium date.

Exhibition:

-        A specialized exhibition will be organized.  Those interested may contact either: The Community Council of Marrakech City, or the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI).

Visas:

Participants who need entry visa to Kingdom of Morocco are kindly requested to contact symposium coordinator in Marrakech, at the following address:

Mr. Ahmed Najam Al Subai

Mobile:  00 212 68 73 10 83

            Fax      :  00 212 24 38 6980

                        :  00 212 24 38 3988

AUDI Coordinator: Mr. Wadat  Allah Abdullah.

Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)

P.O. Box. 6892,

Riyadh 11452,

Saudi Arabia.

Telephone :  + 966 1 480  2555 Extn. 120

Fax           :  + 966  1 480 2666

e-mail:              info@araburban.org