Khaled M. Abdelgawad, CEO of Schaduf, played a pivotal role at the 9th Middle East Smart Landscape Summit 2021, delivering a key presentation on how innovative urban farming is shaping resilient and sustainable cities across the region.
Held over two days on the 31st of March and 1st of April at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, the Summit brought together top landscape architects, urban planners, and government officials to explore technologies and strategies for building “happy, healthy and well-connected cities.”
Micro-Farming as a Catalyst for Change
As a featured speaker on the first day, Mr. Abdelgawad addressed delegates on the intersection of agriculture and urban planning with his presentation: “Exploring the world of micro-farming and its effects on socio-environmental development.”
His address positioned micro-farming—Schaduf’s founding expertise in rooftop and vertical hydroponics—not merely as an architectural feature, but as a powerful tool for achieving multiple development goals in the arid Middle Eastern climate:
- Environmental Impact: Showcasing how green structures combat the severe lack of green space, improve air quality, and provide insulation in dense urban environments.
- Social Empowerment: Highlighting Schaduf’s original model of using urban agriculture to generate income for low-income households, thereby contributing to food security and community stability.
- Sustainable Urban Design: Integrating these unique green solutions with major landscape architecture and urban development projects across the GCC, a key theme of the Summit.
Mr. Abdelgawad’s presentation was a highlight of the morning session, setting the stage for subsequent discussions on sustainable landscaping practices and public space development.
Driving Dialogue on Sustainable Cities
The CEO’s insights reinforced Schaduf’s commitment to providing “inspired green solutions that elevate the quality of life through social and environmental change,” aligning perfectly with the Summit’s goal of advancing regional green infrastructure.
Following his session, delegates participated in a panel discussion featuring experts from Al Ain Municipality and Abu Dhabi City Municipality, further exploring the challenges and rewards of adopting sustainable approaches in urban retrofitting and design.
Schaduf’s participation underscored its position as a regional leader in combining cutting-edge agricultural technology with a deep commitment to sustainable and socially responsible urban development.