The Third Harappa International Conference brought together leading scholars, urban planners, policymakers and cultural experts from around the world in the federal capital.
Themed, "Human Settlements in Transition: From Historic Roots to Future Visions in South Asia," it was kicked off on Friday at COMSATS University Islamabad.
The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
In his address, Dr Chaudhry highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from South Asia's urban heritage to build inclusive and resilient cities.
He also emphasised the role of the conference in connecting the young student body of the Department of Architecture with their historical roots, encouraging students to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at national progress.
He further expressed his resolve to take recommendations from such scholarly events into consideration for policymaking and relevant governing bodies.
Addressing the occasion, COMSATS University Islamabad Rector Professor Dr Sajid Qamar, reiterated his commitment to enhancing academia's role in preserving and promoting built heritage.
Dr Qamar said that we find ourselves at a critical junction where rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and technological advancement are reshaping the very fabric of how and where we live.
In this context, revisiting the lessons of the past becomes not just relevant but essential. He said that as our cities today continue to expand in unsustainable ways, we are seeing several critical issues like Environmental degradation and inequitable access to public spaces, for which we must shift towards visioning for tomorrow while being grounded in the wisdom of the past.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Dr Noman Ahmed, Acting Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, stressed the urgent need for inclusive, resilient, and context-sensitive planning to address South Asia's rapidly evolving urban landscapes.
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