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'Increase in population needed to create well-developed cities'

AJMAN - An increase in the population is needed to help create well-developed cities around the world, particularly in the Middle East and Gulf countries, said an expert at a symposium on Urban Development in UAE and German cities, at Ajman University of Science and Technology(AUST) yesterday.

The seminar organised by AUST in co-ordination with Ajman Municipality was attended by His Highness, Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, Dr Siegfried Balleis, Mayor of Arlangen City in Germany, a number of experts and prominent figures, government officials as well as AUST staff and students.

Speaking at the opening session of the symposium, Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Mansoori, Professor of Architecture Engineering at AUST said, “More population means more development and hence more stability. Development of rural areas is the duty of every human being. It is always man who creates the best habitat and creates social links to live comfortably and safely.”

He pointed out that the UAE is a great example of a nation that started from scratch to build itself with the help of the strong will of its leadership and people, and the visionary attitude of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Dr Al Mansouri said that the UAE has rapidly developed into a modern country with all its ancient cities transformed over a short period of time from the old style to the most sophisticated cities in Europe and Asia. The great investment in developing the UAE cities have made the difference, because no development is made without investing heavily in upgrading the infrastructure, he added.

“I firmly believe that the perfect distribution of oil and gas revenues in developing and improving cities is the main reason why we see beautiful and clean cities in the UAE," he said, adding that the demolition of the old cities had had its advantages as well, however, some such cities are historically important for the nation.

Dr Al Mansouri said, “What we see today in the UAE is on par with its counterparts in the western cities. Designs and architecture of the buildings have been imitated from the modern world.”

Dr Ballais said that the UAE and Germany enjoy a strong relationship, therefore this relation should be utilised to the maximum to develop the two countries. He expressed his admiration and appreciation of what he has seen in the UAE.

An exhibition - displaying photographs and publications on the rapid development of Ajman - was organised by the municipality on the sideline of the programme.