Shahd H. Al-Juwhari
Urban Planning and Design Portfolio
January 2025
About Me
I am a Master’s candidate in City and Regional Planning at Cornell University, graduating in May of 2025. With a strong passion for historic preservation and land use planning, I aim to create sustainable and vibrant communities that honor the past while shaping the future.
My academic background in Architectural Engineering from the University of Jordan provided me with a solid foundation in design and spatial analysis, which I have built upon through my studies and work in planning and preservation. I specialize in crafting innovative solutions that balance cultural heritage with modern development needs, fostering resilient and equitable urban and regional spaces.
01 Writing and Research Highlights, National Register Nomination
Pages 1 - 2
02 ArcGIS Transit Stop Analysis, Boston
Pages 3 - 4
03 Canal City: A Hypothetical Sustainable Development Concept
Pages 5 - 6
04 Analysis and Inventory for Strategic Planning, Salamanca
Pages 7 - 8
05 High-Rise Hotel Architecture Design, Amman
Pages 9 - 10
06 Rehabilitation Center for Abuse Victims Architecture Design, Amman
Pages 11 - 12
07 Freehand Sketches
Pages 13 - 14
Writing and Research Highlights
Project: National Register Nominations for the New Live at Calvary Church, Cleveland Restoration Society
Team: Margaret Lann, Director of Preservation Services and Publications at the Cleveland Restoration Society, and Shahd Al-Juwhari, Preservation Planning Intern.
Overview: As part of my work in historic preservation, I co-authored two National Register Nominations with the African American Civil Rights Movement for Churches in Cleveland: New Life at Calvary Church and Greater Friendship Baptist Church. My primary responsibilities included architectural descriptions, historical research, and interpreting the cultural significance of the property.
Architectural Descriptions: I documented the Romanesque Revival style of the church, focusing on its rough ashlar sandstone construction, asymmetrical façade, and distinctive crenellated towers. I described features such as the three Neo-Romanesque arched stained-glass windows on the north façade, which were framed by thick smooth sandstone for visual prominence. Additionally, I detailed interior elements, including the hammerbeam ceiling supported by intricately carved wooden trusses, and mosaic-tiled light fixtures.
Historic Photo taken between 1940-1950
Interior of the Old Stone Church
Takeaway: Working on the National Register nomination for Calvary Presbyterian Church allowed me to combine architectural documentation, archival research, and stakeholder collaboration to highlight the site’s cultural significance. In addition, conducting site visits and engaging with the community deepened my appreciation for how preservation connects history, architecture, and identity.
Impact: My contributions helped secure the recognition of Calvary Presbyterian Church as a historically significant site under the National Register of Historic Places.
This designation highlights the importance of preserving the church as a testament to its architectural excellence and its role in Cleveland’s history, particularly its leadership in the Civil Rights Movement.
Stained Glass Windows in Sanctuary by La Farge Studios
Tiffany Light Fixtures at the Sanctuary
ArcGIS Transit Stop Analysis, Boston
Course: Introduction to GIS, Cornell University
Instructor: Gina Park, PhD
Team: Shahd Al-Juwhari M.R.P. ‘25, Pritika Venkatraman, M.R.P. ‘25, and Katie Tindol, M.R.P. ‘25
Overview: This research project studied the hypothesis that marginalized neighborhoods in Boston have less access within a half mile of “T” subway stops than do more affluent neighborhoods. We created a set of seven maps, utilizing primarily geoprocessing techniques and network analysis through ArcGIS. The maps indicated that there are significant concentrations of racial minority groups within Boston.
Contribution: I contributed by creating the maps that formed the core of our analysis. This involved using geoprocessing techniques and network analysis in ArcGIS to visualize demographic data, income disparities, and transit accessibility. I also assisted in collecting data from the American Community Survey and Boston’s open data portal.
The analysis revealed that transit stops are predominantly located in affluent neighborhoods, leaving marginalized areas underserved. These neighborhoods, home to higher concentrations of Black and Hispanic populations and lower-income households, had less access to the “T” system.
Takeaway:
This project underscored how historic practices, such as redlining, continue to impact transit equity. It highlighted the areas of opportunity to address inequities in transportation access through the region.
Census Tracts Marginalized Population (In terms of Race and Income)
Transit Stops within a half-mile walkshed, Boston Census Tracts
Canal City: A Hypothetical Sustainable Development Concept
Course: Introduction to Planning Graphics, Cornell University
Instructor: Zac Boggs and Isabel Fernández, visiting lecturers
Overview: Canal city is a 22 acre hypothetical site designed as a culmination of a semester’s exploration of graphic communication theory, the study of sustainable/resilient development projects and how they are visually communicated to the general public.
Takeaway: The project demonstrates proficiency in industry-standard programs, including AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These tools were utilized for site modeling, spatial analysis, and creating visuals, showcasing the ability to effectively communicate sustainable development concepts.
LAND USE FRAMEWORK CIRCULATION
04 Analysis and Inventory for Strategic Planning, Salamanca
Course: Land Use & Environmental Planning, Cornell University
Instructor: George Frantz, Associate Professor of the Practice
Overview: This project was a collaborative effort with the Seneca Nation and the City of Salamanca to develop a comprehensive strategic plan addressing economic and infrastructure disparities contributing to social inequalities. The study addressed key issues such as population trends, housing, zoning, fiscal health, and development dynamics, with a special emphasis on the city’s unique relationship with the Seneca Nation.
Contribution: Analysis of development trends, using an evaluation of changes in the built environment over 20 years, identifying new developments, demolitions, and redevelopments and creating maps on ArcGIS to demonstrate the analysis. The findings provided critical insights into zoning efficiency, redevelopment needs, and long-term planning strategies for sustainable urban growth.
An investigation of development trends in Salamanca was analyzed by through the New York State GIS data website, development trends were identifiable by comparing different maps through the time slider feature to 2002 and 2022, in order to see how the built environment in the city changed.
This was followed by mapping and overlaying the findings on a zoning map of Salamanca.
Salamanca, 2002
Salamanca, 2022
Takeaway: This project utilized ArcGIS and data visualization skills, to analyze development trends. I developed a stronger ability to evaluate urban growth patterns, extract actionable insights, and align findings with broader planning goals. Working in a large team improved my collaboration and communication skills, while the project deepened my understanding of the interplay between development trends, zoning policies, and cultural contexts like Salamanca’s relationship with the Seneca Nation.
Maps created for development trends
High-Rise Hotel Architecture Design
Course: Design Studio, University of Jordan
Team:
Shahd Al-Juwhari, Ruba Sabbagh, B.Sc. Architectural Engineering
Overview: This architecture design project explores the integration of greenery as a central axis running from south to north, creating a sense of movement and continuity that shapes the overall concept. This dynamic flow generates a separation, forming two distinct towers with a lush green core at their center. The design emphasizes sustainability and harmony between built structures and natural elements, with greenery serving as the focal point of the architecture. The project was developed using Revit, Lumion, InfraWorks, and AutoCAD to achieve a comprehensive and visually impactful presentation.
The double-skin facade consists of three components:
An exterior wall, a ventilated cavity, and an interior wall. The exterior wall provides protection against the weather. The interior wall of the DSF system is a thermal-insulating single or double pane glass.
1. Site Responses
The site provided restrictions, through its challenging shape and limited area. The goal was to maximize the built area
3. Responses
Additional site forces from medical zone defined the main entrance and recession
Structural System Design Morphology
2. Site Forces
The site force was defined by a pathway connecting the east to the west
4. Horizontal Connection
Horizontal terraces were added connecting the two towers with greenery
The structural system used is a combined frame system which consists of a shear wall frame with a 70 cm thickness, and a rigid frame with a grid spacing of 5.25m*8m
Rehabilitation Center for Abuse Victims Architecture Design
Course: Design Studio, University of Jordan
Overview: This architecture design project, located in Na’ur, Amman, Jordan, envisions a rehabilitation center to support survivors of physical and psychological abuse. It aims to restore their physical, sensory, and mental capabilities for a healthy, independent life. The design prioritizes holistic healing, inclusivity, and therapeutic environments with features like counseling rooms, medical facilities, sensory therapy zones, and outdoor gardens. The center fosters resilience and empowerment through a nurturing and supportive community.
Design Morphology Zoning
1. Extrusion of zones based on design response and program
2. Organizing masses based on relationships between functions and landscape
3. Chamfered edges to emphasize entrances
4. Adjusted levels of masses in response to topography and added vertical circulation
5. Further development of form
Structure
Features:
Progression down topography incorporated into space planning. Adapting to acute slopes
Public Facilities
Physiotherapy
Educational center
Staff Services
Inpatient accommodation
Psychotherapy
Circulation
Features: Poles raise the rectilinear form above slope Universal form that does not engage with terrain
Freehand Sketches
These sketches showcase my ability to observe and interpret architectural details with precision, highlighting the character, design, and craftsmanship of each building while reflecting a thoughtful appreciation of the built environment.
