UTC-Hot-Cities_General

Join our UTC Climate Adaptation in Challenging Environments

Urban Thinkers Campus “Climate Adaptation in Challenging Environments in the MENA Region”

UTC Background: ISOCARP Institute together with Middle East Cities Center at the American University in Dubai University and other partners will organize on the 22nd of June 2021 the UTC on Hot Cities in the MENA region. According to the latest IPCC simulations, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) has been identified as a hotspot for future temperature changes due to its arid environmental conditions. Heat extremes are expected to increase significantly in both frequency and intensity across the MENA region. Heatwaves will occur for 80 days of the year by 2050 and 118 days of the year by 2100. Combined with increased sandstorms associated with longer drought periods, predicted temperature rises would make large parts of the region uninhabitable. Extreme heat has been identified as a serious threat to human health, heightening an individuals’ susceptibility to exhaustion, heart attack and mortality.

Hot cities in the MENA region – with the reference to Dubai- are a current trend which will be highlighted and discussed during the UTC. Meanwhile we would like to expand the discussion on what other trends related to the Hot Cities trends are emerging? Among the main trends that we would like to touch upon and discuss possible solutions are: water scarcity, biodiversity loss, sea level rise, loss of coastal defence and storm surges. 

UTC Objective: The main objective of this UTC is to discuss and explore solutions that are being tested to ameliorate the future of urban living conditions. The Campus will explore and discuss solutions on how cities can better respond to changing climate conditions, using Dubai as an example of a city which due to its demanding climate conditions, has from the beginning had to plan in ways, which can offer valuable best practices to urban planners around the world.

The session last 3 hours and will be hosted on Zoom. We aim to make this session as interactive and inclusive as it is possible.

Check out the agenda to learn more!

Call for contributors:  Are you a practitioner who would like to present your case study or ideas on possible solutions to the challenges that hot cities are facing nowadays? Are you an industry partner who have been working with climate adaptive infrastructure solutions/products? Or are you a member of a community who would like to share your experience on implementing climate mitigation measures? Then we would like to listen to your story! Researchers, industry partners, climate adaptation practitioners or community members are invited to submit initiatives, questions and possible strategies to present them for discussion at the UTC.

Application deadline: June 13, 2020

JOB OPPORTUNITY: EU Project Assistant at ISOCARP Institute

JOB OPPORTUNITY: EU Project Assistant at ISOCARP Institute (Den Haag, NL)
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The ISOCARP Institute is the research spin-off of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), based in The Hague/Netherlands. With over five decades of accumulated knowledge and expertise in urban and regional planning, ISOCARP as non-profit organisation with individual and institutional members in 85 countries worldwide, initiated the Institute as a Centre for Urban Excellence – a think tank empowering individuals, organisations and institutions to achieve better human settlements. The Institute’s core function is to conduct research and promote knowledge transfer, offer advice and short-term consultancy services, as well as design and deliver capacity building and continuing education programmes. The Institute is involved in several EU research projects, technical assistance globally, engaged in capacity building projects with international partners, and more.

What we look for

We are looking for a full-time staff member interested in urban issues to assist us on delivering our projects. The project assistant will support and assist us in the management of our multiple projects, both, within the EU and at a more international level.  To apply for this position, you need to have at least 2-3 years of experience in EU projects

The ideal candidate is a motivated, independent and creative individual who is able to balance different tasks and responsibilities effectively and collaborate with the ISOCARP Institute team.

Requirements

You hold a master’s degree in Social Sciences or other discipline and a strong interest in the urban spectrum;  

You have minimum 2 years working experience in EU project administration and support, financial experience is a very strong asset. 

You are autonomous and proactive in building and setting up (new) operational processes from scratch; 

You have documentation skills and data management; 

You are curious, open-minded, and experienced in the communication with high-level institutional partners; 

You have excellent command of the English language, both verbal and written. Other European languages are an asset; 

We are looking for someone who can join us as soon as possible. Therefore, those candidates located in the Netherlands will have priority (we accept candidates from all different nationalities).  

What we offer

We offer an energetic and international working environment in a team of young professionals, with a competitive salary and flexible working conditions. The position will be based in The Hague (NL) but can be commenced in a flexible scheme due to restrictions of the pandemic. 

The deadline for application is Sunday, 13 June 2021. Applications will be reviewed upon arrival. 

International applicants:

We accept applications from non-EU citizens. However, we are looking for someone who can join us as soon as possible. Candidates located in the Netherlands will be given priority (we accept candidates from all different nationalities and backgrounds).