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Mohammed Itair and Ramzi Shadid Proposal

Training Workshop at 3D GIS Research Lab - Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

In respect to this year topic of Berkeley Prize 2019, about “Architecture & Climate Change” in the light of social art of architecture, and as we discussed and argued the trilogy of concepts in our final essay; “The Need for National Architectural Legislation to Achieve Climate Adaptation: Palestine as an Intended Case”, and the importance of framing check list and road map towards ultimate adaptability to climate change at all scales, we looked for participation in a specific project organized by an academic institution, that deals with such overlapping between architecture and urban planning, to analyze and manage data about climate and climate change. From our point of view, such programs and projects are vital. They answer the question of how we should adapt and design for climate change on a large scale of methods. As a result of the analysis and data, suggestions of codes and regulations will derive to adapt with any current or expected situations on different scales, from buildings standards to the regional and national policies.

Despite of the political, social and economic challenges in the Palestinian context, there is an attempt to supply the Palestinian community along with public and private agencies and companies of well-educated architects and planners, with skills in using technology and tools to manage the growth, overcome the problems and build better plans for our urban and rural areas. These attempts usually faced by limited financial and human resources to do advance in such fields, projects or researches.

Geographic Information System software (GIS), is one of the main computer software packages worldwide in analyzing and managing spatial data. We can surely say that GIS is a very important program in visualizing and analyzing our built-up environment in terms of the relation between architecture and climate change, it contains a very large set of techniques and tools that allow us to build detailed models for analysis, simulation or predicting problems, changes and strategies. But, unfortunately, in our university or even our country we don’t have neither the enough time nor labs needed to do such GIS models and researches.

So, departing form that belief in the capability of GIS software, and under the guidance of one of our professor, who is the Director of urban and regional planning unit at An-Najah National University –Dr. Ihab Hijazi-, we contacted the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying in the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and we got the invitation form Prof Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman and Dr. Uznir Ujang to join them in summer break at 3D GIS Research Lab to start a training program that introduce 3D geospatial modelling aspects e.g. 3D city modelling that takes wind flow, energy modelling for buildings and urban heat island into account.

Consequently, such opportunity, would be great! We believe that such program will be very useful and special. Widening our knowledge in GIS software under the supervision of the two professors will give us a chance to overcome that shortage in resources and information, and qualify us to make the change for our community.

The Training program will start on 12 August, and it will last for three weeks as it is described in the following details: 1. Introduction to 3D GIS and city modelling - one week 2. 3D spatial data modelling and database - one week 3. 3D database and visualization of 3D buildings - one week

During that period, we will be supervised by Prof Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman and Dr. Uznir Ujang, with the desired aim of enhancing our use of GIS and to dedicate that use in studying, modeling, and analyzing the interrelationship between architecture, urban design, climate element and conditions, energy consumption and distribution, thermal emissions etc.

The itinerary and the budget of our travel: Ramzi’s Travel: Depart: 10 Aug. at 14:05, Travel on Emirates Airlines from Tunis-Carthage International Airport, Tunisia to reach Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru, Malaysia on 11 Aug. at 18:35, this trip includes 2 stops - Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. The training will start on 12 Aug. and it will last for 3 weeks till 4 Sep. Return: 5 Sep. at 14:30, Travel on Oman Airlines from Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru, Malaysia to reach Amman Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan on 6 Sep. at 2:30, this trip includes 2 stops – Kula Lumpur and Muscat.

Ramzi’s Budget: Depart trip 600$ (TUN-DXB-KUL-JHB) + 950$ for Accommodation (including the meals for the whole period) + 80$ Transportation inside Johor Bahru + 500$ Return trip (JHB-KUL-MCT-AMM) + 100$ Road Trip from Jordan to Palestine (including one night in Amman). Total= 2230$

Mohammed’s Travel: Departure of Palestine on 9 Aug. in a road trip and reach Jordan at the night same day. Depart: 10 Aug. at 4:45, Travel on Oman Airlines from Amman Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan to reach Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru, Malaysia on 11 Aug. at 6:35, this trip includes 2 stops - Muscat and Kuala Lumpur. The training will start on 12 Aug. and it will last for 3 weeks till 4 Sep. Return: 5 Sep. at 14:30, Travel on Oman Airlines from Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru, Malaysia to reach Amman Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan on 6 Sep. at 2:30, this trip includes 2 stops – Kula Lumpur and Muscat. Mohammed’s Budget: Road Trip from Palestine to Jordan 150$ (including boundaries’ taxes and one night in Amman) + 1050$ Air Round trip (AMM-MCT-KUL-JHB-KUL-MCT-AMM) + 950$ for Accommodation (including the meals for the whole period) + 80$ Transportation inside Johor Bahru + 100$ Road Trip from Jordan to Palestine (including one night in Amman). Total= 2330$

Group’s Requested Budget = 4560$ Notes: No fees for visa for Palestinian Passport No boundaries’ taxes when we back from Jordan to Palestine References & Contacts: Prof Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman ( alias@utm.my / +60 13-749 0452 ) Dr. Uznir Ujang (mduznir@utm.my ) Dr. Ihab Hijazi ( Ihabhamzi@googlemail.com / +972 59-233 2457 )