(Company Announcement) As part of his visit to South Africa, Dr Chris Luebkeman, Principal of Arup and Director for Global Foresight + Research + Innovation, discussed the future of South African cities at an afternoon workshop held at Arup Johannesburg on 8 September 2014. 

Educated as a geologist, structural engineer and architect, Chris now specialises as a generalist with a view of being “in league with the future.” He was listed as one of the ten future speculators and shapers “Who will change the Way we live,” in Wallpaper Magazine. He has taught at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the University of Oregon, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. H is currently working with some of the world’s leading companies to develop future scenarios to understand better the opportunities created by change in the built environment.

The most recent work of the Foresight + Research + innovation team is Cities Alive publication, a forward thinking analyses of existing research and trends in landscape and city design to show how the creation of a linked ‘city ecosystem’ encompassing parks and open spaces; urban trees, streets, squares; woodland and waterways can help create healthier, safer and more prosperous cities. Some of the more innovative elements, such as urban farms, glow in the dark trees and solar powered pathways are illustrated in an artist impression, to demonstrate how the futuristic components can integrate into the city’s network.

Chris’s speech, “Time for Tomorrow?” is the opening keynote address at the Green Building Council South Africa’s 7th Annual Green Building Convention at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 11 September 2014.

Issued on behalf of:     Arup
Contact:                     Charlotte Middleton
                                  Associate | Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel:                            +27 11 218 7885
Cell:                           +27 82 377 1212
Fax:                           +27 11 218 7601 
Email:                         charlotte.middleton@arup.com       
Website:                     www.arup.com <http://www.arup.com>
Date:                          08 September 2014

Issued by:                  Freelancers Writing Services
Contact:                     Gwen Watkins
E-mail:                       gwen@freelancers.co.za
Website:                     www.freelancers.co.za <http://www.freelancers.co.za>