Breakout Session | The Medina of Sousse: Islamic urban design, sustainability and cosmology

This session will explore the Seven Principles of Islamic Urbanism—building sacred, cohesive, and sustainable cities—through the lens of the Medina of Sousse. Participants will be introduced to how these principles manifest spatially, and then invited to engage in a hands-on design exercise. Using interactive materials, attendees will work collectively to reimagine future Islamic cities that integrate heritage-rooted principles with visionary approaches to urban futures.

Who will lead this session?

INTBAU General Member Soraya Hosni is an anthropologist and sustainability expert from Tunisia. She is the founder of The New Medina, a heritage preservation initiative. Alongside her work in cultural heritage, she is the founder of Clever Harvest, a venture digitising farming commodities to support sustainable agriculture. Soraya brings a unique perspective that bridges tradition, environmental stewardship, and community-centred urbanism.

Further information: www.thenewmedina.com