Dr. Husam AlWaer

Dr. Husam AlWaer (B.Arch (hon), MRTPI, Ph.D, BREEAM AP, AoU, Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design)

Practice | Research | Participatory Placemaking | Training | Sustainable Urban Design

Academic appointments:

Reader in Sustainable Urban Design, University of Dundee (School of Art and Design/DJCAD)

MA Urban Planning Programmes Director, University of Dundee

Professional appointments:

Associate - Proctor and Matthews Architects

Associate - Kevin Murray Associates

Husam is an 'urbanist', with a background in architecture, urban planning and sustainability. He is currently Reader in Sustainable Urban Design at the University of Dundee, having previously researched and taught at Reading and Liverpool universities. He has worked with various UK and International governmental and corporate agencies on research, training and engagement projects. Husam’s work has had a demonstrable impact in both academia and practice. He has a focussed interest in the past and future of sustainable places, towns and cities, and in particular the development of new approaches to sustainable urbanism and the way new methodologies are facilitated and managed. Titles include: Site and Composition: Design strategies in Architecture and Urbanism, Rethinking Masterplanning: Creating Better Places, ’Changing the Focus: Viewing Design-Led Events within Collaborative Planning, and Unhealthy Neighbourhood “Syndrome”: A Useful Label for Analysing and Providing Advice on Urban Design Decision-Making?. Husam is a member of the Urban Design Group Executive Committee, and Honorary Chief Editor of the Urban Design and Planning journal.  Recently, he was invited as an Official Observer & Presenter for COP26, Glasgow.

Husam is an award-winning author with published work on a wide range of subjects from architecture, urbanism, sustainability and healthy neighbourhoods to the specifics of placemaking facilitation and performance evaluation. He brings insight to research, teaching, community stakeholder engagement and professional practice at the intersection between theoretical and contemporary policy and practice.

Husam has a national and international profile through his contribution to government departments and professional institutes. These include: The Scottish Government's Planning Review Evidence; the recent Scottish Government investigation into community participation design processes; the RTPI's Measuring Planning Outcomes; coordinating and facilitating the Cairo International Future City Co-Design Workshop; and curating and facilitating ‘Damascus 2040: A city of 15 minutes neighbourhoods’ workshop.  Recently, he is leading an international team developing a sustainable vision for the old city of Damascus. He has been a Special Advisor to Scottish Government charrette events and the New Ideas Funded Programme.  

Husam has also undertaken leading edge place change training as part of the ‘urban laboratory model’ at the University of Dundee which enables architecture and urban planning students to study a place intensively in a manner that addresses real issues and problems, providing solutions aimed at improving the quality of life for its own communities, businesses and visitors. 

Husam is a Registered Overseas Architect, a Corporate Member of the RTPI, an Academician with Academy of Urbanism (AoU), a Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design (UDG), and a BREEAM AP Communities assessor.