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Rick Broene |
Current position & company?
Academic qualifications? Master in Urban Planning, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Master in Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning |
No. of years in the GCC?
Five years
Major projects involved with?
Anatolian Atoms of Urbanism; Turkey
Dubai Crystal; Dubai, UAE
Model Residential Community; Riyadh, KSA
Fareej Gardens; Al Ain, UAE
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Master Plan; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Madinat Al Mustaqbal; Baghdad, Iraq
Tawam Community Master Plan; Al Ain, UAE
Mafraq Community Master Plan; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dar Abla Desert Resort; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dream Project?
My ideal projects are those which require a highly responsive approach to the local social, cultural, environmental and physical context; which address and reflect market realities; and which have the opportunity to enrich the quality of life for residents, occupants and visitors by creating an engaging, interactive, healthy and memorable public realm.
How do you see the future of the landscape industry in the GCC region?
In my opinion the landscape industry in the GCC region has enormous potential due to a few key trends. First, the GCC continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the world in terms of population and development. Second, there is an ever-increasing awareness and concern for environmental issues in the MENA region, which places multiple landscape issues at the forefront. Finally, landscape urbanism as a theoretical model for approaching city development is growing in prominence. The convergence of these trends present landscape architects with a tremendous opportunity for leadership, particularly in helping create well planned cities and neighbourhoods, preparing integrated and vibrant open space networks, and in promoting key issues of sustainability as suited to the specific characteristics of the region.
Motto in life?
Not exactly a motto, but an aphorism I take to heart: “We shape the world around us, thereafter it shapes us.” Paraphrased from Winston Churchill.
