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The Localized Futures: Conversations is a series of panel discussions presented in collaboration with afikra. Across four sessions on Collective Heritage, Cities & Communities, Education, and The Arts, the series brings together institutional leaders, policy shapers, and cultural pioneers to spotlight the people actively building these futures today. A community is more than just a place on a map; it is a shared space of cultural life, public infrastructure, and collective action. This discussion investigates the rapid evolution of cities and communities in the region, focusing on how design, infrastructure, and grassroots initiatives intersect to create resilient, vibrant, and culturally rich urban environments. The panelists include leaders in urban planning, cultural policy, and social entrepreneurship who will explore essential questions: What makes a city truly livable? How do cultural hubs and public spaces foster genuine community? From large-scale architectural visions to small-scale cultural enterprises, this conversation will reveal how localized efforts are shaping the next wave of sustainable and inclusive urbanism. The evening opens with a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Pradeep Sharma, followed by an audience Q&A and time to connect over refreshments. Accessibility & Participation No prior experience required. Language: English and Arabic |
About the Panelists
Khulood Al Atiyat is Deputy General Manager at MIZA Abu Dhabi, with a background in cultural strategy, community engagement, and arts and heritage initiatives across philanthropic, academic, and cultural institutions.
Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi is the General Manager of Madar_39, a place for creative entrepreneurs and emerging creative talent committed to developing their work as serious practice and enterprise. With a background spanning urban planning, design, heritage, and cultural strategy, she brings a rare cross-disciplinary perspective to her work. As the first Emirati woman to earn a PhD in urban planning, Alamira Reem is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing the UAE’s urban development and cultural landscape, including her acclaimed book Planning Abu Dhabi: An Urban History. Her career includes impactful advisory roles on government city planning and heritage initiatives, and she has served on numerous national committees and panels dedicated to architecture, urbanism, and design. She has been celebrated among the UAE’s most inspiring women for her contributions to the country’s cultural and urban evolution.
- Adina Hempel is an architect and urban researcher, Director of the Zayed Institute for Architecture, Heritage, and Arts, and Associate Professor at Zayed University, with research focused on the evolution of desert culture and architecture, and modern heritage in the Arabian Peninsula.
Moderator: Dr. Pradeep Sharma, Director of the Arts, Culture and Heritage program at the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation