Expertise

Strategic Planning helps target what matters through cross-sector programmes and spatial strategies. It involves prioritising objectives and development programmes on the short, middle and long terms according to a carefully identified Vision for growth and a clearly set up implementation framework. Such framework aligns prioritises with resources in space to create a synergic impact on multiple scale, in the short and long term to benefit communities.

Strategic Planning is a powerful tool that can help cities and local areas prioritise a realistic, ambitious Vision based on evidence by opposing potential, and opportunities against challenges and risks/threats and establishing an implementation strategy in the long and short term in dialogue with stakeholders, while linking objectives and resources. Strategic Planning can be used to address development at different scales, and for cross-sector and cross-boundary collaboration. It is a powerful tool for localising the SDGs.

The new UK Planning System emphasises the important role of Strategic Planning in leading the sustainable growth of local areas. It stipulated the establishment of Spatial Development Strategies (SDS) to lead city development. We can help local authorities! 

How do we help? 

1. We work collaboratively with local authorities, communities and stakeholders, to draw up a Strategic Vision for the growth of their locality relying on evidence-based analysis and dialogue around local area’s strengths / opportunities and challenges / risks and prognosis for population growth. 

2. We back the Vision-making process by data collected strategically as a ground for weighing strengths against challenges, enabling synthesis and prioritising goals and resources.

3. We set up a strategic framework integrating sustainability and defining the steps towards implementing your Vision, iincluding objectives, action and projects, resources and Collaborations.

Whether you only want to sharpen your Development Vision, or move forward to develop a Strategy – We are here to help! 

Here you can see some examples from previous work:

Sustainable Development Workshops for MENA Region’s Officials

Copenhagen Sustainable City Strategy

Damascus Metropolitan Area Planning-2010-2011

We work collaboratively with local authorities, communities and stakeholders at various scales to create powerful Conceptual Master Plans / Spatial Framework Plans and Urban Design Guidelines, concretising your city strategy and laying the foundation for sustainable, flexible and adaptable places.

Through these Conceptual Master Plans, we aim to promote a clear urbanity concept reflected through mixed land uses, connected urban structure, blue-green infrastructure and sustainable mobility infrastructure. We aim to create connected integrated places where its short between living, shopping, leisure and services, with sustainable ecologies, and high quality public realm, and to adopt innovative approaches in energy provision, waste management and circularity,

We also believe that Conceptual Master Plans and Urban Design Guidelines should address place identity carefully, creating a foundation for a new part of your town that lives in continuity with its past and future. 

How we do it: 

Whether we work on a regeneration site or a new urban area, we will start by discussing your programme and priorities, We will create an expert team to develop the Conceptual Masterplan / Spatial Framework Plan in dialogue with you, other involved stakeholders and the communities, involving workshops to foster consensus. We will keep you informed through clear time plan and communication.

Here you can see examples from previous work:

Reviving Post-War Housing – The Neighbourhood for Generations, Denmark

Waterfronts represent significant sptatial and economic potential, and cultural and social assets for cities despite environmental and climate risk and conflicting usages/interests. Many coastal cities play an important role as gateways for exchange at multiple levels. An aware planning is important to ensure that coastal cities continue to play an important role and boost spatial, social, economic and ecological value and place quality.

Our strategic approach can help cities embrace their potential at multiple scales, promote place quality and identity, address challenges and mitigate risks while ensuring ecological health and public access. 

Our consultancy is built on 25 years of experience in port cities strategies.. This expertise is supported by extensive PhD research on the subject by Dr Roudaina Alkhani, leading to her appointment as Member of the Scientific Committee of the Worldwide Network of Port Cities (AIVP) and designation as an expert within its network.

How we do this: 

We work collaboratively with local authorities and ports to identify what role these waterfronts can currently and in the future play. We help them concretise this role in a Vision building on potential and opportunities, integrating sustainability and resilience aims, and encouraging innovative practices and collaboration.

We will together clarify an implementation road map, including our proposal for a Strategic Planning Framework.

We base our proposal an an evidence-based approach. We will lead a strategic analysis of current status based on data collection, surveys and interviews. We also anticipate to  hold a workshop(s) with senior officials, councillors, planners, urban designers, heritage and ecology specialists, communities, environmental and economy innovators and other stakeholders to overlay ideas and prioritise directions and aims.

Here you can see some examples from previous work:

Promoting Sustainable European Coastal Areas

Waterfront Regeneration and Urban Revitalisation in Industrial Port Cities

Chairing a Key Panel at Inspiring Blue Futures, AIVP, 17th World Conference on Ports and Cities

Leadership at Crossovers – the 15th World Conference Cities and Ports, Rotterdam

Places and communities are exposed to various forms of natural and man-made stressors that impact their urban growth, environmental qualities, economies, social capital, built environment and spaces.

From addressing informal settlements, to urban recovery from conflicts and wars, we work with public and private stakeholders and communities to develop innovative and effective cross-sector, multi-scalar strategies helping to ‘rebuild liveability’ and ‘build back better’.

How to do it: 

With our expertise in strategy-making, we help enhance regional potential and liveability through combined bottom-up and top-down srtategies to boost national territories, linking national visions, resources and local needs.

We work collaboratively with public and private actors, civil society and higher education to identify challenges, risk facing resilience, identified following UN Frameworks, opportunities for urban recovery and building back better. 

We base on evidence gathered through data collected on social, environmental, and economic contexts, surveys of the state of the built environment and community practices, interviews with various stakeholders, research of ongoing initiatives, and planning frameworks.

We develop strategies in collaboration with our partners. Together, we identify the most impactful projects that can enhance their areas, such as improving connectivity, services, and plans to restore functioning neighbourhoods and liveable communities with housing, upskilled population, and active local economy.

Here you can see some examples from previous work:

Reviving Post-War Housing into Sustainable Neighbourhoods in Denmark for Generationsns

Resilient City Scoping Strategy for Amman, Jordan

Sustainable Cities Lab for Saudi Women Architects and Planners

An Integrated Strategy for the Regeneration of Informal Settlement Areas in Syria

This is based on a solid background in leading urban research and practice at multiple scales. Dr Roudaina Alkhani’s research at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen made a significant contribution to theory development and practice in urban regeneration, city restructuring, place quality, sustainability and governance. She implemented her research at the City of Copenhagen and continued to develop it through her practice in different contexts and her recent role as a Senior Lecturer in Higher Education, focusing on sustainable urbanism and climate resilience. Roudaina will bring strength in interdisciplinary, cross-sector approaches and in linking research and practice perspectives.

We use our integrated academic and practice approach to carry out various types of research and market analysis to back-up your decisions. We also contribute to policy papers.

Examples can include:

• Mapping recent trends in the housing market and housing needs.
• Analysis of suburban housing and walkability. .
• Cultural and identity mapping.
• Impact analysis and assessment of projects’ sustainability: e.g. inclusiveness and climate resilience, and analysis of planning and building schemes’ impact on sustainability and mobility. . 
• Assembly of case study examples on innovative practices, e.g. regarding energy use, and community engagement.
• We also develop analytical and assessment frameworks, incorporating visualisation allowing you to ajust your policies, make informed decisions and monitor progress..  

Our thematic research activity is based on the following qualities:

1. Integrated academic and practice approach.
2. Qualitative Research addressing societal, human and environmental values  beyond numbers and data.
3. Interdisciplinary and System Thinking. We believe in the complexity and interrelation of urban systems.
4. Multi-Scalar because challenges like tackling Climate Change and Housing gaps, and resources are related to different levels of decision and governance – urban, regional and national.  
5. Evidence-based informed by surveys and data collection on the ground, policy reports, academic research, and learning from best practice.
6. Design-Thinking focusing on real-user challenges, integrating diversity of view points, testing ideas with divers collaborators to reduce risks and promote creativity. 

Here you can see related posts showing previous work:

Research: How can a more aware involvement of the private sector in city development close climate gaps?

The Planning System in Syria – World Planning Manual, ISOCARP 2016.

We build on our extensive experience in Higher Education and our activity in capacity building and practice, working at different levels of government, to develop high quality programmes to support the most urgent societal challenges and align with market demands in line with Higher Education and Professional Organisations’ Standards, including RTPI and RIBA. 

Integrated programmes: Our programmes, curated collaboratively with your university, integrate theory and practical knowledge and will be designed to be delivered to promote interdiscilinary reflection and engage with local authorities, the industry and communities. 

Policy-aware: 

Adaptability and Responsiveness: 

Here you can see some examples of our work:

Waterfront Redevelopment and Planning. Workshop for IDBE Master’s Students, University of Cambridge

Meeting Sustainability Aims in Complex Work Environments. Workshop for Master’s Students in Architecture at the Royal College of Arts