Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
I help government authorities turn ambitious development mandates into master plans that are approved and delivery-ready. For 20+ years I have worked on the client side, the consultant side and the multilateral side of urban planning across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait, with the World Bank, UN-Habitat, PwC and national ministries. Today, as Owner's Representative for the Taif Development Authority, I make sure what consultants deliver matches what the client actually needs. What I've delivered: ▸ Owner's Representative on the Taif Comprehensive Local & Regulatory Master Plan, overseeing an international consortium of ~35 experts and reviewing deliverables against the RFP and TDA mandates. ▸ Operational phase of the Taif Design Studio (~20 staff): design review, Saudi Architecture Code compliance and stakeholder workshops. ▸ Lead Urban Planning Expert on Egypt's National Strategy for Transforming New Cities into Smart Cities (World Bank), including the national strategy workshop (~55 participants). The strategy was published in 2024. ▸ UN-Habitat Strategic Urban Planning Programme for 70 Egyptian cities: embedded SDG 11 targets into the programme RFP and managed 20 cities and their 20 consultants in Phase 2. I work best where planning, governance and delivery meet: translating policy into zoning, consultant scopes into accountable outputs, and senior stakeholder priorities into decisions. Core Competencies: Urban Planning | Master Planning | Strategic Planning | Smart Cities | Owner's Representation | Urban Governance | Land Use & Zoning | Development Control Regulations | Design Review | Consultant Management | Technical Proposal Evaluation | Stakeholder Management | GIS & Spatial Analysis | Urban Regeneration | Saudi Vision 2030
• Act as Owner's Representative managing a portfolio of strategic urban projects and ensuring alignment with Taif Development Authority (TDA) mandates and reference guides. • Oversee an international consortium of approximately 35 experts delivering the Taif Comprehensive Local & Regulatory Master Plan, reviewing deliverables against the RFP across complex urban design and development phases. • Manage the operational phase of the Taif Design Studio (~20 staff), including design review processes, compliance with the Saudi Architecture Code, and community engagement workshops. • Lead high-level coordination among design consultants, TDA leadership, and national entities to facilitate project approvals. • Oversee the development of strategic governance frameworks and urban planning policies for TDA, aligned with national transformation mandates.
• Evaluated consultants' technical proposals for the Taif Comprehensive Master Plan (Horizon 2040) and supported consultant mobilization. • Reviewed the consultant's Phase 1 baseline assessment and, with client approval, secured replacement of the consultant's transport and traffic team. • Managed the technical review and approval of the Taif Design Studio operating model proposed by the consultant, together with its technical reference guides. • Managed the design development lifecycle of the new TDA headquarters. • Advised senior government officials and institutional clients on alignment with regional economic objectives and Saudi Vision 2030. • Provided urban planning expertise for the Taif Development Strategy, aligning technical outputs with regional economic goals.
• Served as lead urban planning expert on the National Strategy for Transforming New Cities into Smart Cities in Egypt (published 2024). • Managed the expert team supporting the World Bank mission, overseeing technical coordination and deliverables. • Acted as primary liaison with the Ministry of Housing and New City Authorities, aligning national and local priorities. • Organised and facilitated the national smart cities strategy workshop (May 2023, ~55 participants). • Provided technical input on strategic frameworks and smart city indicators and guided the incorporation of practical planning tools to support implementation.
• Provided strategic guidance and presented findings and results to the Chairman. • Developed and executed business strategies and plans, monitoring performance against short- and long-term objectives. • Provided hands-on planning and supervision for urban and community development projects managed by the firm. • Directed the review and enhancement of spatial plans, urban layouts, and development proposals for private clients.
• Coordinated with project teams on the design and delivery of strategic and detailed urban development plans. • Oversaw national and international project portfolios, including follow-up on technical execution and plan alignment. • Monitored progress of spatial plans and international projects undertaken by the Ministry. • Collaborated with civil society and key stakeholders to advance sustainable urban development.