Biography:

Dr. Samira Omar Asem is a Principal Research Scientist at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). She holds a PhD from University of California, Berkeley in Wild land Resource Science. Since 1973, when she joined KISR, she has been promoting R&D in the area of management of natural resources and restoration of environmental damages as well as taking a leading role in management of mega projects and complex programs. With four decades career experience she has been successful in implementing 26 contractual research projects that lead to establishment of protected areas, conservation and monitoring of biodiversity and rehabilitation of degraded arid lands.
She has published 27 books, 32 refereed papers and contributed to 82 conference proceedings. She participated in 123 Conferences, Symposia and Workshops. She was an invited and guest speaker in local, regional and international conferences, symposia and workshops. Dr. Omar holds the following positions: *IUCN Regional Councilor for West Asia Region,
*an Elected Member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) for Asia Region,
*Vice President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

Abstract:

Sustainable Development and Master Planning of Boubyan Island in Kuwait. Boubyan Island is located in the northwestern region of the Arabian Gulf covering about 863 km2. The maximum altitude of the Boubyan Island is about 5m with drainage channels and intertidal mudflats, creating moist soils and weltland for much of the year. The Island is barren uninhabited with both terrestrial and marine habitas that attract many migratory birds and provide nursery grounds for commericially important fish. A road bridge, built in 1983 joins Boubyan Island to mainland of Kuwait. Boubyan Island has enormous potential for conservation of Kuwait�s natural biodivesity, public education opportunities and the promotion of ecotourism. Several proposals and plans in the past addressed a variety of uses of Boubyan Island including holiday villages, leisuure activities, a national nature resource, coastal recreation development, an aluminum plant, a fishing port, a national park, aquaculture and agriculture. An urban infrastructure was planned for an environmentaly responsive new town of 500,000 residents (the Subbiyah New Town Project). To integrate the long-term planning of the island with previous and current influences, in 2004 the Government of Kuwait represented by the Ministry of Public Works conducted a project for Environmental Assessment and Preperation of a Master Plan of Boubyan Island.
The Master Plan was developed in association with local and international consultants: (HOK and GC in collaboration with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)). The Master plan was developed considering key site analysis elements, such as physical surroundings, land character, man-made activities and influences, viewsheds and sensitive ecological zones and relating them to the specific needs of the planning perspective and process. With GIS thematic maps, scientific databases and environmental assessment some development options were considred, such as Boubyan port, Boubyan urban expantion, port transportation corridor, free trade zone, lake, green belt, campground, family resort, research center, and nature reserves. The Master Plan was reviewed and approved by many responsible authorities and actual implimentation took place of key developments, such as Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, port transportation corridor, Mubarak Al Kabeer Resort and other facilities were developed. The resort covers about 40% of the total area and was classified in 2015 as Ramsar Reserve by UNESCO. Conserving the unique ecology and biodiversity now poses major challenges to the new port authorities and to the Government of Kuwait, which will have to content with the influx of many people, risks of invasive species and loss of habitats.