Dr. Abdulrahman Kadi

Profile

I have got my Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Saudi Arabia from 2010 to 2015. During that time, I have designed several projects that included: housing, resorts, commercial, educational, urban planning, public transportation terminals and multi-use buildings. Then I completed my Master's degree in Architecture Studies and Healthy Urbanism at NewSchool of Architecture & Design (NSAD) in the United States, with a research project titled as "Accommodate and Facilitate the Increasing Capacity of Al-Hajj", followed by a design proposal included accommodation, transportation and circulation patterns. 

I am an energetic and passionate architect; I always dedicate myself to any task given to me. I am devoted as a leader. I thrive on using my initiative to tackle problems and put forward effective solutions through strategic planning and critical thinking. I am sociable and eloquent. Having ten years' experience in Al-Hajj Sequence, I am capable to manage field teams and operations. One of my goals is to provide decision-makers with real-time data in order to enhance and enrich the pilgrims' environment and experience. My dream is to help Makkah evolve into one of the leading cities in the world.

I have several professional experiences that contributed to shaping my views of the full impact of Architecture on the strategic level. Working as a Portfolio Manager of the "Strategic Management Advisory Services Project", at the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) and Vision Realization Office (VRO) of Makkah Regional Development Authority (MRDA). Also, I worked as an assistant Executive-Director of the Executive Transportation Team at Dyouf Al Rahman Program (DARP) of Vision 2030, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. As well as an architect, at Dar Al-Rahmah consulting engineers. I have also been a volunteer with different governmental, societal and private sector groups. Moreover, I am a member of the Saudi Council of Engineers in Saudi Arabia. I participated in a study of Crowds' Movement and Services Associated with the "World Cup 2018" in Russia. I received a Diploma of an international program of Redeveloping the City of Culture from Fundacion Compostela Arquitectura at Santiago De Compostela, Spain. As a part of the Erasmus Program, I was involved in the restoration of Valid Atik Complex at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University in Istanbul, Turkey, which was followed by an academic publication of "Valid Atik Complex" (Kadi et al, 2015) by UQU. 

Research interests

The research aims to identify the main touchpoints of the crowd's accessibility in Makkah and the Holy-Sites in order to establish an urban ecosystem. The research is concerned with a specific location and activity, focusing on finding an urban solution in a very complex urban context. One of the most important aspects of the pilgrimage journey is crowd accessibility, in terms of infrastructure and operation.

The pilgrimage is a unique ritual that has high importance for Muslims around the world. Thus, it is necessary to enhance the current quality of the urban environment and services. The research will explore the various ways to urbanize the areas of pilgrimage in Makkah and the Holy Sites in order to ease the crowd's accessibility. The aim is to enhance the holy sites by providing a new built environment that fits the local context as well as connected with its surroundings to ease the crowd management and movement. There are many aspects to incorporate in order to find a solution in such a complex journey. However, there are many constraints and ritual customs to follow in order to design an urban ecosystem that fits the need for operation and development. The new urban ecosystem should revolve around the pilgrims' (gusts) needs and expectations. All that, to achieve the maximum capacity and quality in a well-built environment that hosts millions of pilgrimage around the year.  

The aim of this research is to explore and find options to urbanize and develop the pilgrimage journey as one of the most crowded conditions in the world. This research will tackle the issue of crowd accessibility from several urban aspects, such as infrastructure, crowed movement, public spaces, circulation, services and regulations. Also, their impact on users serves providers and the local GDP. The research will look at a number of examples of theories and existing projects in addition to opportunities to be able to make comparisons and find similarities. Lastly, the research will explore the strategic advantages and solutions of redeveloping some of the main touchpoints in order to enhance the visitor experience.

Therefore, the proposal will explore the main elements and touchpoints of crowd accessibility, and how they affect one another. Although the pilgrimage cannot be stopped, a temporary reduction of pilgrims' numbers can be applied in order to develop the infrastructure. The urban ecosystem should coexist with both development and operation. Hajj and Umrah have different journeys, however, they share Makkah's infrastructure. Hence, any development should accommodate both types of pilgrimages.  

Qualifications

• Masters of Architecture Studies (Healthy Urbanism), New School of Architecture & Design, US, 2017
• Bachelor of Architecture - (Islamic Architecture), Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia,2015