As part of efforts to maintain and raise  the high quality of  papers, Sharjah Urban Planning Symposium will be awarding two prizes in separate categories of best international and GCC  authored papers. This was made possible by the gracious generosity of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Qassemi the Patron of the Symposium. 

An outstanding feature of the 4th  Sharjah Urban Planning Symposium has been the high quality of many papers and presentations covering different aspects of urban growth management. As such while papers from international advisors and the selection committee were purposefully omitted from consideration the committee was faced with a difficult task in choosing between the submitted papers. Nevertheless after much debate committee members have come to a unanimous decision with respect to both prize categories.

Best paper selection committee comprised of: Prof. Hooshang Amir Ahmadi (Rutgers University), Mr. Stephen Brown (RICS Foundation), Dr. Souheil El Masri (Bahrain University), Dr Ramin Keivani (SBU), Prof. Stanley McGreal (University of Ulster), Dr. Angus McIntosh (King Sturge), Dr. Ahmed Ouf (University of Cairo), Dr. Ali Parsa (SBU) and Prof. Barry Redding (SBU).

The organisers are particularly pleased to have the involvement of the RICS  Foundation in the symposium and their contribution towards the prize for the GCC authored paper.

The selection criteria consisted of:

1.   Contribution to knowledge in terms of concepts, theory, empirical findings 
      and policy development
2.   Originality
3.   Quality of debate
4.   Depth of research
5.   Relevance to the themes
6.   Succinctness
7.   Organisation and structure

Best paper for international category has been awarded to an author who combined an understanding of both physical planning, international finance, and urban development which are major factors in urban growth management. 
The award goes to Dr Seow-Eng Ong of the National University of Singapore for his paper entitled “Asset Market and Urban Development: Implications of Financing and Securitization on Real Estate Development”.

Best paper for GCC authored paper has been awarded to an author who discussed an increasingly important issue for Sharjah, UAE and the entire Middle East region relating to the subject of conservation and cultural heritage, a crucially important element of effective urban growth management. 
The award  goes to Dr Djamel Boussaa of UAE University for his paper entitled “Towards an Inter-Emirate Urban Conservation Strategy in the UAE”.