Scaling up Traditional Architecture and Urbanism:
Challenges and Opportunities


International Convention on Traditional
Architecture and Urbanism at Heenat Salma Farm

Scaling up Traditional Architecture and Urbanism:
Challenges and Opportunities


International Convention on Traditional Architecture and Urbanism
at Heenat Salma Farm

The Convention

conv-1

 The Convention will be a flagship event organised by Caravane Earth Foundation and INTBAU Qatar. It will be a focal point for leading experts, practitioners, and policymakers from around the globe to engage in meaningful discussions, explore new approaches, and develop implementable strategies within the realm of scaling up traditional architecture, urbanism, and craftsmanship.

 Any sustainable built environment is guided by three main factors:

The philosophy that guides the thinking and design process behind the envisaged city. This will enable the form of the built environment to embody the philosophical.

The choice of materials under a traditional system is local and natural, resulting in harmonious symbiosis with the natural surroundings. These materials need not undergo any industrial processes to be used in construction, and therefore offer the highest degree of sustainability and ecological resilience.

The method used for the realization of the buildings is craft and masonry-driven and not industrial. This process saves many steps in the construction process and supports the continuation and survival of the creative knowledge vested in the individual craftsperson. In turn, they embody the cultural DNA of their nation or group of people.

The three factors above are the same as those used in practically every ancient city in the world. They are a testament to the resilience and attractiveness that these cities hold to many millions of people from around the world.

Traditional architecture is ecological architecture and embodies forms that act as “linguistic metaphors” for society through non-verbalised communication that enhances a positive sentiment towards the place that said society calls home.

The Programme

Scaling Up Traditional Architecture and Urbanism:
Challenges and Opportunities 

This multifaceted endeavour of scaling up traditional architecture and urbanism will require an in-depth analysis of the architecture and construction value chain. This analysis will enable us to identify the challenges and potential opportunities to establish strategies and frameworks that will contribute to the scaling up of traditional architecture and urbanism.
 
The topics to be discussed will revolve around:

The Speakers

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

Harriet Wennberg

Programme Curator

The speakers and the programme to be announced soon

to be announced

Qatar Chapter

The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU) is a global organisation dedicated to supporting traditional building practices, architecture, and urban planning. Established in 2001 by HRH The Prince of Wales, INTBAU brings together a network of architects, urbanists, artisans, and scholars who share a commitment to sustaining and revitalizing traditional crafts, architectural heritage, and culturally rooted urban
designs.

Established in 2022 under the Caravane Earth Foundation, INTBAU Qatar works on the preservation and promotion of traditional architecture and urbanism and seeks to present these traditional methods as viable models for contemporary living.

INTBAU Qatar's Winter School: Architecture, Ecology & Tradition

Date: 13th until 25th December​​.
Location: Heenat Salma Farm, Qatar.​​

*Applications will open on the 12th of November .

Course Aims​​:

Students will explore the intersection of traditional architecture and sustainability practices, learning, engaging, and creating visions of master planning on-site. They will collaborate with international tutors and specialists, focusing on critical thinking and practice-based learning in an inspiring location. Wider visits to landmarks in Doha will be organised.​​

How do we think about space? How do we engage with our built environment? How do we overcome the challenges of today? What do we mean by Traditional Architecture?

Plan Your Visit

Heenat Salma Farm
The exact dates will be announced soon

A valid registration ticket must be shown upon entry to the Heenat Salma Farm.

Registration will open shortly.

Heenat Salma Farm is the flagship project of Caravane Earth. It is the centerpiece of our initiative encompassing all elements of our mission.

Heenat Salma is a multidisciplinary project dedicated to holistic methods in agriculture, architecture, and community development. We have successfully transformed a local conventional farm into an organic permaculture centre that grows desert-friendly plants and vegetables, diversifies local food production, and contributes to a renewable, home-grown food supply in Qatar and beyond.

Heenat Salma Farm Farm 280, P.O.Box 90205, Um El Qahab Shahaniya, Doha, Qatar


Subscribe to our newsletter for future updates and invitations to our online and offline events, become a member of INTBAU Qatar and Caravane Earth:

Announcement: ICTAU Postponement

We would like to inform you that the International Convention on Traditional Architecture and Urbanism (ICTAU), originally scheduled for December 2024, has been postponed to the first quarter of 2025.

This decision was made in consultation with our Patron, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani, to align the convention with the Earthna Summit in Doha.

-The exact dates will be announced soon.

Best regards,
The ICTAU Team