The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) held its 2024 International Conference from September 23rd to 27th in London and Paris. The conference theme, "New or Renew? Addressing the Density Dilemma," tackled a crucial question at the heart of urban development.

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PALAFOX is honored to have Architect Felino "Jun" Palafox, Jr., the first Filipino to hold the titles of CTBUH Fellow, Country Representative, and Regional Leader, serve as a juror for the prestigious Best Tall Building Asia Awards.

Celebrating Excellence: The CTBUH Awards Program

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A highlight of this conference is the annual CTBUH Awards Program. This prestigious program recognizes projects and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of tall buildings and sustainable urban environments. With over 20 categories and subcategories, including Best Tall Building, Urban Habitat, Innovation, Structure, and Construction, the awards celebrate innovation and excellence across the industry.   

Core Conference: Addressing the Density Dilemma

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The core conference featured peer-reviewed presentations and panel discussions on the theme of "New or Renew." It fosters critical discussions on the future of urban density, carbon emissions reduction, and the potential of new and renewed buildings to revolutionize how we live.

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This conference spans a wide range of topics and regions, focusing on themes such as:

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• Buildings (case studies, repositioning strategies, adaptive reuse, etc.)
• Cities (urban habitat, city planning, policy, new districts, city advocacy, social sustainability, density challenges, etc.)
• Contemporary Issues (engineering, materials, technical, operations, etc.)
• Climate & Carbon (life cycle analysis, embodied energy, carbon emissions, evaluation systems, mass timber, etc.)
• Future (innovation, future cities, speculative projects, social implications, research advances, etc.)

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The "New or Renew" Dilemma

The central theme of the conference addresses a fundamental challenge in the construction industry and urban planning: the choice between building new or renewing existing structures and cities. It's a complex issue with environmental, economic, and social implications.

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The CTBUH aims to identify strategies that transcend the old versus new debate, focusing instead on transformation and growth that revitalize urban life. The conference explored the potential of a new generation of tall buildings and innovative density approaches to offer flexibility, energy savings, and reduced environmental impact.

Palafox’s Participation

This global dialogue on "New or Renew" resonates deeply within the Philippines as well. Our historic cities, once vibrant hubs, now grapple with the challenges of aging infrastructure, density pressures, and the urgent need for sustainable revitalization.

PALAFOX’s presence at CTBUH 2024 underscored our commitment to finding innovative solutions for these challenges, both locally and globally. As we envision a sustainable Philippines by 2050, we actively engage in discussions that shape the future of our cities. Architect Palafox's participation as a juror demonstrates our dedication to contributing to the global conversation on urban development.

Awareness of the CTBUH and its valuable resources remains limited within the Philippine architectural community.  Despite its long-standing presence and Architect Palafox's 25-year membership, many Filipino architects, engineers, developers, contractors, financial institutions, and government agencies are still unfamiliar with the organization. This presents a significant opportunity for the Philippines to further engage with the CTBUH and benefit from its expertise in sustainable urban development, particularly as our cities grapple with the "New or Renew" dilemma. Increased participation in CTBUH initiatives can empower Filipino professionals with knowledge, best practices, and global connections to drive innovation and create more sustainable, resilient urban environments. Visit their website to learn more about their organization.

This conference provided an invaluable platform to share our knowledge and experiences, learn from international best practices, and forge connections with thought leaders from around the world. These interactions strengthen our resolve to create a better, more sustainable future for the Philippines and contribute to the global movement toward responsible urban development.

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To join our movement for Philippines 2050, visit this page.

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