Localized Futures: Cities & Communities

421’s season of talks and panel discussions developed in collaboration with afikra, Localized Futures, explores the future of key cultural and civic sectors through a regional lens – challenging the dominant global narrative by looking at the complexities, innovations, and solutions inherent to the MENA region. Across four sessions on Collective Heritage, Cities & Communities, Education, and The Arts, the series brings together institutional leaders, policy shapers, and cultural pioneers to spotlight the people actively building these futures today.

This session investigates the rapid evolution of cities and communities in the region, focusing on how design, infrastructure, and grassroots initiatives intersect to create resilient, vibrant, and culturally rich urban environments. The panelists (who come from urban planning, cultural policy, and social entrepreneurship) will explore some key questions: What makes a city truly livable? How do cultural hubs and public spaces foster genuine community? What might future of urban environments look like?

The panel:

Khulood Al Atiyat deputy GM, MIZA Abu Dhabi
Alamira Reem Al Hashimi GM, Madar39
Adina Hempel director of ZU’s Zayed Institute for Architecture, Heritage, and Arts

Moderator: Pradeep Sharma director of the Arts, Culture and Heritage program at the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation

The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and refreshments.