Join us at Expo City Dubai for what promises to be a fascinating discussion between award-winning architect, author and scientist Dr Sandra Piesik and celebrated urbanist and cultural commentator Rashid bin Shabib. The conversation will focus on Piesik’s landmark book Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate, which celebrates humanity’s ability to create buildings that, for millennia, have responded ingeniously to environmental and cultural conditions.

Habitat was launched this year at the UN Headquarters during the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs 2023, where it provided inspiration for policy discussions. The book offers critical insights on one of the most important urban development priorities of our time: how to create buildings that serve, rather than strip, our planet. As Expo City Dubai prepares to host COP28, this event is an exciting opportunity for book lovers, architects, urban planners, building enthusiasts and everyone passionate about the environment to be part of an exciting and substantive conversation on climate action, sustainability and how to improve cities and communities around the world.

The event will be preceded by a presentation from Rashid bin Shabib and his brother Ahmed on their ‘Hot Cities’ exhibition, which explores cities in the Arab world and the challenges posed by the region’s harsh climate.

The event culminates with an audience Q&A, and a book signing session. Copies of Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate will be available for purchase at the venue.

This is the second event in the Connecting Minds Book Club series, that will continue to run throughout 2023 and feature a truly global line-up of renowned authors from around the world

About Connecting Minds Book Club

Delivered in collaboration with Emirates Literature Foundation, the Connecting Minds Book Club is a community of book lovers committed to harnessing the power of stories to catalyse awareness and action for our changing climate.

Interested in becoming a Connected Minds Book Club member? Sign up here