AUDI Holds its 15th Webinar on Embedding Universal Accessibility in Arab Cities

Riyadh, July 28, 2025

As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusive urban planning, the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) today held the 15th session of its “Cities in Action” webinar series, focusing on the theme “Embedding Universal Accessibility in Arab Cities.” The session brought together a diverse group of specialists and professionals working in urban development to discuss practical strategies for making Arab cities more accessible and inclusive for all segments of society.

Dr. Abdullah Daifallah, the webinar moderator and professor of urban planning, opened the session with an overview of the “Cities in Action” series, underscoring its role in fostering discussions among specialists and urban development experts across the Arab region. He highlighted the series’ contribution to showcasing leading urban development projects, sharing best practices, and facilitating the exchange of ideas on effective strategies and success factors in urban planning.

The session featured a keynote presentation by Eng. Elie Ghossoub, Director of Access, Safety, and Inclusion Consulting at DASS. A specialist in inclusive urban design, Ghossoub holds a master’s degree and is a registered member of the UK’s National Register of Accessibility Consultants (NRAC). Drawing on his extensive experience in modernizing building codes and designing accessible environments, he emphasized the importance of embedding universal design principles to better serve people with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

In his presentation, Eng. Elie stressed the critical need to integrate universal accessibility principles into urban planning, pointing out that disability extends beyond visible impairments to include invisible, situational, and age-related disabilities. He shared insights from projects he led in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, where comprehensive design guidelines were developed to promote accessibility across mobility networks, public facilities, open spaces, and intelligent transportation systems.

Ghossoub emphasized that universal access should not be seen as a regulatory obligation, but rather as an opportunity to create more equitable, sustainable urban environments. He stressed that meaningful progress begins with inclusive planning, followed by thoughtful policy development, and culminates in the implementation of urban projects that are accessible to all segments of society.

At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Abdullah Daifallah expressed his appreciation to the attendees for their active engagement and meaningful contributions. He commended Eng. Elie Ghossoub for his valuable insights and his role in shedding light on emerging dimensions of comprehensive urban planning. Dr. Daifallah also underscored the importance of sustaining such discussions through ongoing sessions, which serve to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange among urban development professionals.