10 and 11 December 2007, 
Rida Said Center, Damascus. 

Under the patronage of the minister of Local Administration and Environment Dr.H. AlAttrache, a conference on the potentials and Challenges on the Urban Development in Syria was conducted in Damascus. The workshop, entitled "Urban Development in Syria- Potentials and Challenges" was conducted in Rida Saeed Conference Room in Damascus University.

The first day consisted of a series of sessions headed by a number of experts from the GTZ, Syrian governmental institutions, and other involved counterparts. Focusing on a number of issues pertaining to urbanization on the global and local levels, the attendances discussed the potentials, challenges, and the response from the local perspective.

The sessions extended for the half of the second day, and then followed by two field visits to Damascus outskirts and the old city of Damascus.