Following a series of co-design workshops with the community of Al Manakh and the development of a spatial program with the residents, this workshop discussed key aspects of the intervention through a multidisciplinary lens to ensure a socially and ecologically sustainable development of the project.

The workshop invited a group of experts from a range of disciplines including sustainable landscaping, organic farming, water management, and sustainable urban development:

• Ali El-Keblawy, Professor of Plant of Ecology at University of Sharjah

• Yazen Al Kodmani, Operations Manager at Emirates Bio Farm

• Dima Al Srouri, Founder and Director of Biospheric City Lab

• Rose Armour, Head of AUS Sustainability at American University of Sharjah

• Mayyada Bardan, Manager of Research & Studies Department at Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority

• Dima Maroun, Partner at Thriving Solutions

• Hind Al Huwaidi, Director of Education Bee’ah School of Environment (BSOE)

The topics covered in the panel broadly addressed the themes of sustainable landscaping in urban environments, community engagement and educational programming which better advised the holistic realisation of a versatile and accessible outdoor community space for the neighbourhood.