The KHALIFA INNOVATION AWARD URBAN OASIS

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The KHALIFA INNOVATION AWARD URBAN OASIS

The Evolution from FAFS's Animal house into ESDU's Engagement Center

The Urban Oasis, initially serving as AUB's animal house, is now ESDU's newest engagement center.
It was renovated by ESDU into an engagement center through the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.

A Sustainable Concept !

Launched in July 2021 by the Environment & Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU), the Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management department (LDEM), the Khalifa Innovation Award Urban Oasis Competition saw participation from fifteen groups comprising students and alumni from landscape architecture, architecture, and agriculture disciplines. Elements from the top three designs were integrated into the final master plan, which was implemented with the support of the Physical Plant and the ESDU team, marking a significant milestone in the development of our Urban Oasis project.

ESDU aimed to reduce on-site waste across all the pillars listed below:

Transformation Over Time

Smart Oasis: Empowering Sustainability with AI

The Urban Oasis is evolving into a Smart Hub. Powered by artificial intelligence, this transformation will foster sustainability and innovation. As a leading educational institution, ESDU aims to combat climate change and empower students and faculty members to become environmental stewards. The AI-driven Smart Hub will offer interactive experiences and data-driven insights to engage the AUB community in sustainable practices.

Read full concept note (PDF Link)

The Smart Urban Oasis includes four main pillars:

AI-Driven Resource Optimization: This pillar will use AI to enhance the efficiency of water, energy, and waste management within the Urban Oasis. Smart sensors will provide real-time data to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and lower environmental impact, setting a sustainability benchmark for similar spaces.
Sustainability Education and Community Engagement: Interactive AI-powered platforms will engage users in learning about sustainable practices, offering personalized recommendations. This hands-on approach will foster a culture of sustainability awareness among students, faculty, and visitors, encouraging eco-friendly behaviors both on and beyond the AUB campus.
Data-Driven Innovation: Data on resource usage, environmental factors, and user behavior will be collected and analyzed to continuously refine sustainability practices. This data-centric approach will not only improve system efficiency but also provide insights for replicating the Smart Oasis model in other spaces.
Scalability and Future Growth: Building on its initial success, the project will aim to expand across AUB and beyond. The adaptable, AI-powered model will be customizable for various communities and sectors, enabling broader sustainable development applications, from smart campuses to urban planning.

Discover the Urban Oasis!

Step into a peaceful green space in the heart of the city. Visit the Urban Oasis to relax, connect with nature, and experience sustainable urban settings.

Book your visit here
Find the location here
Explore a 360° view here

We look forward to welcoming you!