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20 March 2019 Bahrain Culture Authority, in Collaboration with the Italian Embassy, Presented a Round Table Discussion with Arch. Andrea De Simone
Bahrain Culture Authority, in Collaboration with the Italian Embassy, Presented a Round Table Discussion with Arch. Andrea De Simone

 

Bahrain National Theater- Flexi Theater auditorium-  hosted , a round table discussion on “ Made With Italy”- Human -oriented-design for Cities, by Italian Architect Andrea De Simone and moderated by Bahraini architect Ali Ismail Karimi. The event was attended by  Mr. Guglielmo Picchi, Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, H.E Mr. Domenico Bellato, Italian Ambassador to Bahrain, as well a number of architecture and design specialists.  

Before the start of the discussion forum, the Italian ambassador held a speech in which he highlighted the importance of the Italian Design Day 2019, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and  held on 20  Mars  as part of a series of 100 events across the globe. The Italian ambassador also expressed his thanks to  Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities for organizing this valuable  cultural meeting with famous architect Andrea De Simone, chosen as one of  Ambassadors of Italian Design in the World. 
 
Arch. Andrea De Simone then started his lecture by giving his perception of  designing the City of Future, touching upon climate change, demographic growth, use and re-use of ground and raw materials, zero waste and wellness of the citizens. He added that the artist has been engaging you and making life beautiful since man was making art on cave walls, exploring how participatory design, art, and technology can improve cities, without erasing its past, taking into consideration its present and future.  When citizens and city officials support art and innovation in urban, Andrea De Simone argued we can progress and have beautiful designed historical cities, such as Manama and Muharraq, showcasing some pictures of both cities.

Arch. Andrea De Simone also stressed the importance of public spaces, arguing that  that urbanists have long held the view that the physical and social dynamics of public space play a central role in the formation of publics and public culture. A city's streets, parks, squares, and other shared spaces have been seen as symbols of collective well-being and possibility, expressions of achievement and aspiration by urban leaders and visionaries, sites of public encounter and formation of civic culture, and significant spaces of political deliberation and agonistic struggle. De Simone made a comparison between Italian cities and Arab cities, how to be deal with their challenges, screening a video that shows the changes and transformations of cities, taking the city of “Alessandria” in Italy as an example.

Italian architect ended his lecture by pointing out to the challenges facing our cities today and how they can be overcome through sustainable development, giving the example of the city of Venice, that is making great efforts to eradicate environmental hurdles to preserve its historical and architectural identity. Arch. Andrea De Simone suggested the implementation of technology role in recycling organic waste, solar power as a substitute for other  sources of energy for a better cities of future that help achieve sustainable development.