Abdallah Najia Contact Details: abdallah.najia@gmail.com Location: UAE | Portfolio: www.abdallahnajia.com
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Urbanism and Urban Planning Projects
Developed comprehensive plans for sustainable urban development projects that involved working with a team in selecting a vision, generating ideas, visualising concepts, coordinating designs, and preparing delivery schemes; project activities included review and modification of existing development proposals, preparation of SWOT analyses, review of existing policy documents, site visits, inspections and surveys, and master plan generation Prepared feasibility studies and consulted on various urban projects, ranging in scale from specialised innovative spaces to city-wide interventions Carried out extensive research and writing on various topics pertaining to urbanism, including sustainable transportation, adapting cities to climate change, mega infrastructure projects as agents of change, and sustainable agriculture as a means of mitigating food security and water scarcity issues in the UAE Curated content for urban-related publication projects, a process that included writing contributory pieces, liaising with and interviewing architects, urbanists, academics, designers and planners, and editing and verifying articles gathered from contributing specialists
Engineering Projects
Coordinated with peers and concerned contracting, consulting, and design firms to ensure project works were completed in a timely and sequential manner, and adhered to strict quality and HSE standards Managed construction-related activities for various projects, starting with the procurement phase and ending with the final handing over of the finished works Prepared necessary project documentation and submittals, including tenders, method statements, inspection and test plans, activity risk assessments, and material submittal packages Implemented a quality assurance system to ensure project works were completed and monitored in accordance with company standards Performed material quantity and cost estimations and prepared BOQ’s for projects of varying scales
EDUCATION UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, London, United Kingdom Sept. 2014 – Sept. 2015 The Bartlett School of Planning MSc Sustainable Urbanism Obtained a fundamental understanding of cities and their built environments, with an emphasis on their social, environmental, economic, and institutional sustainability Adopted a critical thinking approach to urbanism and sustainability through extensive research, academic debates, and preparation of topic-specific papers Improved public-speaking and communication skills through correspondence, coordination, and knowledgesharing with peers, and individual/group presentations to peers, academics, and industry professionals Developed problem-solving and decision-making skills through exposure to real-world scenarios CARLETON UNIVERSITY, Ottawa, ON, Canada School of Engineering and Design BSc Civil Engineering with a Concentration in Management Dean’s Honour List for academic year 2008/2009; graduated with Distinction
Sept. 2005 – Aug. 2009
WORK EXPERIENCE Cultural Engineering at Brownbook Urban Researcher and Consultant | Project Coordinator (fixed term contract) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
July 2016 – Present
Optimum Decoration, Contracting and General Maintenance Project Coordinator Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sept. 2011 – Aug. 2014
Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) Site Engineer Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dec. 2010 – Sept. 2011
Taahud General Contracting Company Site Engineer Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Feb. 2010 – Nov. 2010
PUBLICATIONS
Emirates NBD ‘Emirati Leaders’ Journal (‘Architecture of Disability’ segment)
CERTIFICATION
Bechtel Environmental Management System Training – International Bechtel Co. Basic Plus Medic First Aid (CPR + AED) – MEDIC First Aid International/HIST Safety and Security Institute Basic Fire Warden (NFPA Standards) – HIST Safety and Security Institute
LANGUAGES AND IT SKILLS
Fluent in English and Arabic Design Software: AutoCAD 2011 (certified) Microsoft Office
VOLUNTEER WORK The Weekend to end Breast Cancer, Volunteer Ottawa, ON, Canada Engineers without Borders, Volunteer Ottawa, ON, Canada Central Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, Volunteer Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
June 2009, June 2007 Jan. 2006 – Apr. 2006 Dec. 2003 – May 2004
INTERESTS
Sports/fitness: basketball, running, and squash / fine arts: music, photography, film, and writing / travel