Mr Giovanni Santo
Speaker
Innovation Technology and Architectural Heritage
📅 8 November 2025 (Saturday)
🕛 1400 - 1500
Mr Giovanni Santo is a Master Mason & Conservator Specialist devoted to the research and mastery of traditional buildings methods and their practical application in the restoration of artistic and cultural heritage. His knowledge is the result of over 25 years of activity acquired from professional experience at national and international level, collaborating with local craftsmen and restoration technicians in practical intervention, following his motto "learn to study to do it in a workmanlike manner". In 2003 Mr Santo became a consultant Conservation and Technical advisor for Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and since 2018 he is part of the Think City team, thoughtful in the research and engagement in the global conversation.
Mr Santo believes that the conservation of tangible heritage must be characterised by the principle of sustainability on the use of materials, which must be adaptable to the heritage building or monument, and at the same time is the right use to achieve low carbon. It is therefore crucial to combine historical knowledge on the methodology of construction techniques with modern construction science, in which urban developments and climate adaptability must be deeply interconnected to create sustainable development goals and at the same time preserve cultural identity through knowledge sharing.
Organisation Description
Think City is an urban impact organisation established in 2009 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. With its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and offices across Penang, Johor Bahru, and other key cities, Think City leads initiatives that revitalise urban spaces, preserve heritage, and build climate-resilient communities.
What began as a catalyst for the revitalisation of George Town, Penang, following its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, has evolved into a nationally and internationally recognised leader in urban regeneration, heritage conservation, and sustainable city-making, collaborating with international organisations to exchange expertise, develop innovative frameworks, and secure funding for sustainable urban solutions.
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