The Department of Geography and Urban Planning in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at United Arab Emirates University organized, on Wednesday 19^th October 2016, the 3rd Urban Planning Symposium to present research papers in partnership with a delegation from the German University of Duisburg-Essen.

Dr. Tareefa Saad Al Sumaiti, Assistant Professor at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, welcomed the delegation from the German University of Duisburg-Essen. The delegation consisted of twelve female students and four faculty members. The symposium stressed the importance of cultural exchange between the different peoples, to get to know world cultures in its various forms to achieve mutual understanding and increase social and cognitive communication in society.

The results of the research papers presented by the professors of the Department of Geography and Urban Planning varied. Dr. Fayez Elessawy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, explained the reality and the future of urban planning in the city of Dubai, and its contribution to sustainable Emirati development in the future. He indicated the main problems and challenges faced by society as a result of the rapid evolution of sustainability.

In turn, Dr. Shahrazad Abu Ghazleh in her research paper talked about the percentage of salts in the groundwater and discussed the highlights of the changes facing the “Maliha” water in Sharjah.

From the German delegation, Dr. Rudolph and his student assistant Miriam presented their research paper entitled “Air Transport and Airports in Germany Compared to the UAE”.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences received the visiting German delegation at the University this week and took them on a campus tour. The visit concluded with a cultural dinner at the University Social Club Al Multaqa, which included a display of falconry UAE heritage, with the aim of supporting cultural dialogue and development for prosperity and mutual understanding between the two peoples.