Andros Pantelli,

CASLE Regional

EuropePresident  

 Gerry O’Sullivan,

President CEEC

Joe Kennedy (CEEC Ireland) gave an architect’s experience of what might be happening inrelation to hotels and resorts, illustrated by slides of pod, cubicle and pipe hotels, volumetric

and container prefabrication and the concept of iconic marketing tools, e.g. The Ice Hotel, ESO, Unique, Boutique and Burj al 7*.

Gyorgy Spanyi (CEEC Hungary) dealt with Aqua Theme Parks, particularly those in Hungary which has one of the largest water reserves in the world, with thermal water available in abundance.  Not all schemes have been successful, often due to absence of professional feasilibility studies.  A success story is Aquaworld in Budapest – a giant dome of 5 storeys 72m in diameter, materials procured from China, Turkey and elsewhere, construction period 20 months and final cost exceeded budget by 3% only.

In a wide-ranging paper Professor Neil Ravenscroft (CASLE UK) referred to the fundamental problems associated with a market approach to the allocation of scarce environmental resources, and suggested that the associative economiscs of Rudolf Steiner has much to offer.  Initiatives such as pro-poor tourism are a good example, with the emphasis less on the profit of oner individual or company and more on meeting the needs of all those involved with, or affected by, the economic decisions being taken.

Christos Zenosos (CASLE Cyprus)  explained graphically the Cyprus Integrated Land Information System.  He emphasised the need for a cadastral system that is efficient, integrated and multipurpose, contrasting it with insufficient manual systems - upgrading, accuracy, quality and structure of geographical and legal data were essential.  In Cyprus, the Department of Lands and Surveys, successfully operates a multipurpose cadastre,  enhanced with the introduction of a Computerised Integrated Land Information System (CILIS). In Cyprus, the Department of Lands and Surveys, successfully operates a multipurpose cadastre.

Professor Chitra Weddikkara (Sri Lanka, CASLE regional president Asia) dealt with financing Infrastructure in developing countries.  Financial constraints cause governments to seek private partnerships, and the paper examined critically the economic impact of such alternative mechanisms on funding infrastructure projects.

Front row LtoR:  

Brian Waldy (Secretary-General) and Kate Waldy,

Prof Neil Ravenscroft, Sir Christopher Howes. Dr Clifford Dann, Gerry O’Sullivan (CEEC), Andros Pantelli (CASLE Europe President);

RtoL

Susan Spedding (CASLE admin-secretary), Prof Chitra Weddikkara and  Pat Borrill.

The speaker at the Conference dinner was the Honourable George Iacovou, Presidential Commissioner and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.   Mr Iacovou gave a detailed insight into the negotiations which he is conducting to secure a united Cyprus.  All were impressed by his measured and calm approach to such a demanding task, and in his vote of thanks Andros Pantelli wished him well in his endeavours.