In the shimmering heat of the Gulf region, a new kind of city is taking shape. One where ancient architectural wisdom meets cutting-edge technology—and where people live well with extreme heat. In this final episode of The Philanthropist’s Conversation , our host Paula lands in Abu Dhabi to ask a powerful question: What does urban life look like, in a world where temperatures frequently reach 40*C? Joined by senior government advisor Hamdan Al Suwaidi, Paula tours Abu Dhabi’s historic landmarks like Qasr Al Hosn or the Grand Mosque to learn about the city’s centuries-old relationship with heat. They also spotlight the United Arab Emirates’ most innovative design initiatives, with a visit of the ultra-modern Masdar City – a large-scale urban project that put the UAE on the map when it comes to sustainability. Along the way, you’ll hear an exclusive interview with Gerard Evenden, a senior partner at Foster + Partners who helped designed Masdar. And we’ll explore the UAE’s sustainability agenda, which is moving away from oil wealth, and towards ecological stewardship. So what can an experimental desert city teach the world about adaptation? And what conclusions should we draw from this series, to turn individual projects into engines for systemic change? Find out today on The Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat. Highlights: Welcome to Abu Dhabi (00:59) Meeting Hamdan Al Suwaidi in the Mandarin Oriental Lounge (03:05) An Historic Approach to Heat in Central Abu Dhabi (07:29) Islamic Futurism at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (16:02) Masdar City: A Case Study in Heat Resilient Design, with Gerard Evenden (26:33) Introducing Ivan Peter and Pegasus’s Ambitious Vision (37:31) Insights & Legacy: A Walking Tour of Masdar City (39:16) Reflecting on Abu Dhabi’s Approach to Extreme Heat (51:28) Conclusions on Urban Heat and Applications for the Future (58:32) A Glimpse into Season 2: Spotlight on Food Resilience (01:04:48) Links : Episode Resources Gerard Evenden LinkedIn
