When I first walked through the streets of the old city of Sana’a – in my home country, Yemen – I remember feeling something I couldn’t yet name. The narrow alleys, the carved facades, the sense of life unfolding at every corner. Years later, I have to come to appreciate that was the urban design of the ancient city which was a direct reflection of its people’s needs, aspiration and culture. This is what gives a place character and charm and its people sense of belonging, ownership and protectiveness.
Today, I’m a Senior Urban Designer at Egis, working on some of the UK’s most transformative light rail projects. As part of the Midland Metro Alliance, I lead the urban realm design for tram extensions across Birmingham. My role combines creative vision with technical delivery, stakeholder engagement with planning processes, and always, a focus on people.
Why I believe in Urban Design
Urban design sits between architecture and planning—it’s what brings a city’s streets, squares and public spaces to life. It’s about more than buildings or transport links but how people experience their surroundings, how they move, interact and feel in a place.
A well-designed public space can change how a community connects. A tram stop can become a neighbourhood anchor. A paving choice can significantly impact the character of a street. These details may seem small, but collectively, they shape how we experience cities.
That’s what drives me: the belief that we can – and must—design cities for people, not just for cars.
Making transport part of placemaking
At Egis, we see light rail as a catalyst for urban regeneration. In Birmingham, the tram extensions to Edgbaston and through Digbeth are doing just that – opening up access, creating greener public spaces and transforming areas into vibrant, walkable destinations.
Digbeth is one of my favourite examples. Once dominated by vehicles, it's now becoming a place where people walk, pause and enjoy. Reducing road lanes, improving paving quality and integrating the tram line carefully into the streetscape has already started to change the feel of the area – and the tram hasn’t even begun running yet.
These aren’t just design choices; they’re statements of intent. We’re saying that people matter here.
The human side of big infrastructure
Working on projects of this scale is not without its challenges. There are many layers – technical requirements, commercial constraints, stakeholder needs. My role involves managing urban design teams, coordinating with engineers from various disciplines , tracking programmes and resources and securing approvals from local authorities.
There’s something uniquely rewarding about seeing your design move from concept to construction. Visiting site, choosing paving materials, watching the transformation unfold – it’s a mix of pride, satisfaction and sometimes bitter sweetness. As designers, we get attached to the places we shape.
A career rooted in sustainability
I believe good urban design must also be sustainable. That means integrating green infrastructure, promoting walkability, supporting public transport and thinking about long-term resilience. It means designing not just for now, but with the next generations in mind.
I’m proud to be part of the Green Horizons campaign, because I want young people to see careers like mine as both creatively fulfilling and socially impactful. Urban design lets you collaborate across disciplines – from architecture and engineering to transport planning and environmental design. You solve real problems and leave a legacy in the built environment.
If you’re passionate about cities, curious about how places work and driven by a desire to improve lives – this might just be the path for you.
“We shape our cities, and then they shape us,” said Jan Gehl. His belief that “a good city is like a good party – people stay longer than they planned” captures the essence of great urban design. It’s not just about movement; it’s about creating places where people want to linger, live and connect.
That’s the kind of city I want to be a part of creating. And that’s the journey I’m still on – one tram stop, one public space, one neighbourhood at a time.
