Royal Philips Electronics has named Yemen's Sabrina Faber as the overall winner of its Philips Livable Cities Award, for her idea ‘Rainwater Aggregation in Sana’a’.

The award is a global initiative designed to generate innovative, meaningful and achievable ideas to improve the health and well-being of city-dwellers across the world.

Sabrina’s idea was praised by the supervisory panel for its unique approach to modifying existing structures in Sana’a to capture, filter and store rooftop rainwater. Through her scheme, Sabrina hopes to help solve the water shortages commonly experienced in the city during dry spells, whilst providing clean drinking water. This could potentially result in significant health benefits for the whole population.

Sabrina will receive a €75,000 grant from Philips to enable her to realise her vision.

“What really impressed us with Sabrina’s scheme was the proposed execution of a relatively simple concept that will have such a significant impact on the lives of so many people across the city of Sana’a. We’re looking forward to seeing her idea come to life and improving the health and well-being of the residents of Sana’a,” said Richard Florida, professor, author and chair of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel.

Two additional winners will each receive €25,000 for their practical, implementable ideas.

Manuel Rapoport, from Buenos Aires, Argentina was recognized for his ‘Plaza Movil Street Park’ idea. James Kityo of Kampala, Uganda, will use his grant to develop his Shade Stands project.

Other finalists come from Argentina, Kenya, Nigeria, the UK and the USA, representing a truly global picture of the solutions offered to city-dwellers across the world.

All eight finalists and their ideas for providing unique and original solutions were showcased and celebrated at the award ceremony in Amsterdam.

The winners will work with Philips and program mentors to help realize their ideas in their local communities.-TradeArabia News Service