Numerous cities are now developing along polycentric lines, with several urban “nodes” focused around tall building clusters that often compete for commerce, attention and investment within the same city. This dispersed approach to urban density perhaps helps alleviate congestion and infrastructure overloading, and offers more varied urban experiences, but is the consequential loss of a single identifiable CBD something to lament?
This panel discussion considers the merits of both the polycentric and monocentric approaches to urban development, with views from both sides of the equation from renowned urbanists representing each global region. International in nature, the panel will give a view on how cities should be developed, amidst a world that is rapidly urbanizing.
Steve Watts, alinea Consulting, chairs a panel discussion at the CTBUH 2018 Middle East Conference, during the Day 2 Opening Plenary session with representatives from major tall building regions: James Parakh, Urban Design Manager, City of Toronto Planning Division (Americas); Koon Hean Cheong, CEO, Housing & Development Board (Asia); Helen Lochhead, Dean, Faculty of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney (Australia); Peter Murray, Chairman, New London Architecture Centre; London Mayor’s Design Advocate, Wordsearch (Europe); and Mohammad Kaiser Azad, Head of Community Management, Emaar Properties (Middle East).
Video courtesy of CTBUH