Projects

Project Title: Influence of Urban Planning and Design on Microclimate and Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Sharjah: The Need to Develop Existing Urban Planning Regulations 

Organisation: Sharjah University (UAE)

Year: 2025 - now

Location: the Heart of Sharjah

Position: Researcher

Achievement:

On-Going

Project Title: Cultural Identity and Branding: an Integrated Approach to Enhance the Heritage Value

Organisation: Roma Tre University – Architecture Department  & Economy Department

with Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (AICS) [Italian Agency for Development Cooperation] Fund (Partnership for Knowledge 4. “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism”)

in Cooperation with Comune di Bagnoregio

Year: 2019 - 2022

Location: Bagnoregio (Orvieto City) & Rome

Position: Researcher/Project Associate

Achievement:

Contributing to the future heritage industry, I could contribute to the heritage preservation-based definition of the “Cultural Identity” concept valorising the values of cultural diversity in the same demographic area, thus the authorities might generate socio-economic opportunities, especially for the youth generation, enhancing the level of stewardship or in another word “the sense of the place”. Thus, they become motivated to generate an innovative business concerning their culture and heritage. I aimed basically to develop a people-centred heritage branding approach that interlinks the tangible and intangible heritage forms as well as to emancipate the level of community involvement. Thus, the research generates a group of tools which provides the updated socioeconomic requirements of the local communities and at the same time, mitigates socially the rapid modification and deterioration in their cultural knowledge. Overall, the project targets the qualitative methods of urban development and the urban identity preservation policies sustaining the cultural identity of “local/indigenous” communities as a representative of the cultural heritage and the main generator of the future heritage.

Project Title: EU Horizon 2020 Be.CulTour project - “Beyond Cultural Tourism: Heritage Innovation Networks as Drivers of Europeanisation towards a Human-Centered and Circular Tourism Economy” (2020-2023)

Organisation: Sustainable Heritage Research Forum (SuHRF) [a department of Art History (Conservation Division), Uppsala University

Year: 2021 (with Remote Communication till 2023)

Location: Forsvik – Swedish Industrial Heritage Destination (Karlsborg Municipality, Västra Götaland Region)

Position: Visiting PhD Researcher & Heritage Management Professional

Achievement: I mainly focus on community-centred cultural tourism in Forsvik by reviewing the outcomes of the Västra Götaland Regional Development Policy, CHRISTA [1] and CLIC [2] projects which support strategically the cultural tourism process. I could operationalize, jointly with a collaboration of Dr. Christer Gustafsson [3], a model of a strategic dynamic partnership among mainly three partners: people or the host community, the public sector, and the private sector (a People-Public-Private Partnership). This model recognizes the modern and contemporary interactions of the community throughout a group of sustainable bottom-up-centred/circular economy-based projects or in other words, a circular/participatory business model (a corporate entity). 

[1] European Regional Development Fund – Interreg Project CHRISTA “Culture and Heritage for Responsible, Innovative and Sustainable Tourism Actions” (2016 – 2020)

[2] European Research and Innovation Program – Horizon 2020 Project (CLIC) “Circular Models Leveraging Investments in Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse” (2018 - 2020)

[3] Professor of the Economics of Heritage Conservation, Department of Art History, Conservation Division, Uppsala University.

Project Title: Authenticity and Socio-economic Integrity of a Living Heritage

Organisation: German University of Technology in Oman (GUTech), Faculty of Business & Economics, Department of Logistics, Tourism, and Service Management [Affiliated to RWTH Aachen University]

Year: 2018 - 2019

Location: Mutrah Old Market (Muscat, Oman)

Position: Research Assistant / Project Coordinator

Achievement:

Culture and heritage are a means of conserving the inherited past, enabling it to inform the present and develop a future vision through the transmitted cultural heritage expressions including the tangible and intangible cultural aspects and the community. Mutrah Old Market, as a cultural heritage space, is a focal point of Omani living heritage. The chapter reviews the cultural significance guaranteeing it a main vehicle of acting sustainable development. As a research method, the chapter presents the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) using qualitative methods such as direct observation and the interview(s). The chapter clarifies the current situation of Mutrah's old market as a case study seeking to preserve the authentic value and ensure the integrity factor.

Project Title: Pyramids of Giza Strategic Management - Master Plan (2019 – 2022)

Organisation: Torasna for Heritage Development and Management S.A.E.

Year: 2018

Location: Giza Pyramids (Egypt) - UNESCO EG WHS "Memphis and its Necropolis"

Position: Project Associate

Achievement - Sector “Visitor Management and Interpretation”

(1) Jointly with the team members, to draw the main features and pillars of the master plan; (2) responsible for the section on visitor management and interpretation, and tourism management, to focus on engaging the positive cultural values of the surrounding demographic area, not only to display the archaeological heritage attributes.

This section assesses the robusticity, market appeal, and the organizational attributes of the site in question qualitatively. It is concerned with the interpretation, presentation, and valorisation of the site. It states the guidelines for design, content development and the communication mediums that will be used to transmit the heritage site knowledge to the visitors. It outlines how the site should be presented to the public to valorise it and increase its market appeal.

It discusses the latest market needs and trends, especially the concept of the visitor experience before, during and after the visit. Presents examples from the most recent developments in improving visitors' experience at heritage sites from across the world. It defines the demand generators that will be used in the marketing strategy and the critical success factors for its realization. Supported by visual references and infographics such as renders showing the view from the three different panoramas that give the viewer a good feel of the area, and the different elements and activities taking place there. These renders can come in a combination of wide and medium shots to show things like the full view of the Pyramids, and the activities taking place there such as the stereotypical photography moments (holding the pyramid, kissing the sphinx, or riding the camel), and the facilities around such as toilets, bazaars, information & first aid point, camels photo zone, shades, cafe or refreshment point.

In addition, it includes renders showing the recreation area to the southern of the pyramids zone showing the bus stop, the entry gates to the recreation area, a panorama and photo zone, animal stops and riding areas, cafes, toilets, information and first aid point, bazaars, shades and other urban furniture. It is important to show this area as being alive and vibrant entertainment spot at the site. It is important to note that most of the animal activities will move to this place, so it should be given the importance it deserves being a place where the local community living off the area will be earning from. It will be promoted to the local market as an attraction for noncultural visitors to come and have a good time. Other supporting visuals will include renders showing the special events area currently located halfway between the Pyramids and the recreation zone. It should show the diverse functions this area could have for special events, corporate functions and sports tournaments. The renders should also show a back area for services and support functions.

Then, Interpretation and Presentation shows how to improve the destination quality at the product level. Defines what would be the likely choices for interpretation and communication mediums that could be used to transmit the site information. Gives a feel of how the site presentation would be upgraded concerning UNESCO’s guidelines, and how more value will be created in and out of the site. Specifies the main guidelines that should be adopted in the development briefs that should follow in the implementation stage. This section will be supported by renders showing the look and feel, in wide shots, of the proposed adaptive reuse and/or restoration of buildings such as a)the engineering department building (next to panorama two) which can become a food and retail spot catering for a local audience, b) Cairo University building which can be turned into a co-working space for scholars, post-grads, and missions, c) the current management building next to the Mena House entrance, which can be turned into a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the Pyramids. In addition to these, it will show an upgraded look of the tired Khufu boat museum. It will also be supported by renders showing the look & feel of the visitor's approach to the main heritage attractions. Some of the elements that can be shown here include pathways, directional signages, interpretive panels, refreshment points, urban furniture and shades. In addition, renders of some random independent elements will be distributed around the site in different locations, away from the panoramas, to satisfy some visible visitors and staff needs such as shades for the local police and cleaners, places to sit for the elderly coming out of the demanding entry/exit from the pyramids coupled with mobile refreshment points, ramps for special needs, and assembly points for groups and guided tours. Other supporting visuals will include sketches showing typologies of way-finding signages, interpretive panels and furniture.

Project Title: Siwa Architecture Community Centre: Towards an Inclusive and Heritage-conscious Urban Transition

Organisation: Œcumene Studio for Integrated Urban Development and Sustainable Architecture

Year: 2017

Location: Siwa Oasis (Egypt)

Position: Heritage Researcher / Project Associate

Achievement: Cooperating with some national stakeholders in Egypt, I contributed to raising awareness of the local community about Siwan-built vernacular architecture and the cultural significance of traditional architectural heritage. Through this brief, you can recognise how I culturally enhance the partnership and communication perspective:

Siwa is a world-known oasis for its unique and rare cultural and vernacular architectural heritage. It is one of the magnificent Egyptian tourism attractions. Considering SDG 11, the project’s overall goal is to preserve and safeguard the Siwan architectural heritage; as well as to define a new vision for its urban fabric through a holistic and integrated approach. SIWI project is a community-based initiative that looks forward to bringing the local community, and local NGOs e.g. Abnaa Siwa, Siwa Community Development and Environment Conservation (SCDEC), together with the City Council, governmental and academic bodies, researchers, and experts striving to work on raising awareness, conserving or safeguarding of the oasis’s Architectural heritage. Moreover, SIWI aims to design and build an architecture community centre in the heart of Siwa Oasis (partially an extension of an old Siwan house) that will work as the main centre for SIWI and a technical, research, and architectural hub for Siwans as well as for any visitor intending to study Siwa oasis.