Fadi Shayya

I am a curious design strategist and urbanist who loves to mix and match, travel and collaborate, and enjoy great coffee. Trained as an architect and urban planner, my passion for design took me on a journey to become an architect of ideas and connections, a strategic thinker, and an avid knowledge seeker.

I have been practicing since 2002 and experimenting with my professional role, the culture of producing the city, the business of design, and behavioral paradigms of social entrepreneurs and activists. This domain of my interest got me hosted at the Polypod Creative Series that “invites local and global luminaries to bring people together to discuss ideas and the creative process.”

As a strategist, I advise Visualizing Impact on process innovation, operations strategy and project management to deliver high impact on-line, print and tech social content and tools. And even though I don’t win many matches, during breaks, I still challenge my colleagues at table tennis.

As an urban planner, I collaborate with fellow planners, designers, social scientists, technologists and engineers to contribute to lasting economic and social development. I was group leader and proposal manager at Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), human settlements officer at UN’s ESCWA, and consultant to the American University of Beirut.

As an advocate of public space, I collaborate with civil society groups and NGOs where we promote a culture of inclusiveness and citizenship empowerment. In 2008, I received the Basil Fuleihan Innovative Good Governance Award for my urban critique of Beirut’s Park, Horsh Al-Sanawbar. Upon that, I edited and published a book on the city’s park and public space titled At the Edge of the City, supported by an Environmental Justice Grant from the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

I am always eager to connect for work, advice and new friendships. On weekends, you’ll probably run into me walking around, exploring new parts of the city. You can find me online by connecting to at about.me/fadishayya.