(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (DAUP) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) has opened its Rooftop Permaculture Garden and launched an exhibition, 'The Swiss Touch in Landscape Architecture'.
The event, a collaboration between the department, the Swiss embassy and Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), was sponsored by Al Sulaiteen Industrial Complex and Nakheel Landscapes.
It aims to engage participants on the pioneering knowledge on green roofs developed at ZHAW and implemented in international projects such as the London Olympic Games venues and the Basel Urban Rooftop farm and translate experiences and lessons learned to develop similar elevated landscapes in Qatar and other Gulf cities and dry lands.
QU Vice-President and CAO, Dr Mazen Hasna, Swiss Ambassador Martin Aeschbacher, CENG Dean Dr Rashid Al Ammari and Dr Yasser Maghoub, Head, Department of Faculty and Students, DAUP.
The garden and the expo are part of a series of events under the theme 'Landscape as Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Food Security: Perspectives from Switzerland and Qatar' which included lectures and workshops on 'Green roofs in Switzerland and the UK and their application in Qatar'.
The expo until April 9 features installations of hydroponic growing systems and native plants.
Dr Al Ammari said the college's partnership with the embassy and ZHAW represents QU's commitment to establish and advance collaboration with international institutions that will be of benefit to partners, the institution, students, faculty, and the wider community.
Aeschbacher said: "Qatar and Switzerland face new challenges and try to apply new technologies that suggest a more sustainable development. "I am proud that these lectures on landscape, sustainability, urban gardening and green roofs and the exhibition are taking place at the college."
SAIC Chairman Abdullah Salem Al Sulaiteen said: "Our presence as a sponsor will allow us to participate more in related research studies and data from specialists working in this field in our region".
Nakheel Landscapes Manager Henri Pavageau expressed his company's interest in participating in the event to learn more about the interaction between landscaping and biodiversity. "We are also pleased to share our experience in the testing and production of native plants in Qatar", he said.
DAUP Associate Professor and Curator of the exhibition Dr Anna Grichting said: "It is important for our students to be part of this event that advances discussion on green urban planning and implementation.
The green roofs concept is timely for Qatar as it continues its commitment to environment-friendly living as outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030 and the development strategies".
The event also included research projects by QU students featuring landscapes that are socially, agriculturally and environmentally productive.
It also featured an edible boulevard outside the building which was started last year as part of a UREP-funded project on Food Urbanism and Productive Landscape in Qatar, conducted by Dr Grichting.
Students discussed their projects and implementation of green roofs using appropriate species in Qatar. A competition will be launched to evaluate the best green roof designs under several categories. A rooftop event, 'Skyrise Landscapes, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Switzerland to Qatar' was held in conjunction with DAUP Student Association featured remarks by Qatar Friends of the Environment President Dr Saif Al Hajari and presentations by Dr Grichting and others.
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