Dezeen School Shows: a proposal for a series of micro-villages that prioritise sustainable lifestyles is among the projects from students at the American University in Dubai.
Also featured is an urban layout that rethinks Dubai’s street system to follow its natural cracks and a proposal that reimagines Abu Dhabi’s superblocks.
American University in Dubai
Institution: American University in Dubai
School: School of Architecture, Art and Design
Courses: Thesis Studio and Urban Design Studio II
Tutor: Maryam Shafiei
School statement:
“Students of the Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments (MUDDE) proposed innovative urban design solutions for global and local urban challenges, a selection of which is presented here.
“Five projects have been chosen from the Studio Thesis course, taught by Maryam Shafiei, where students built upon extensive research to develop innovative responses to urban challenges across five distinct sites.
“These include a 15-minute neighbourhood in Dubai; a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Dubai; a superblock development in Abu Dhabi; planning strategies for informal settlements in Bangladesh and the revitalisation of a historic neighbourhood in Hidd, Bahrain.
“Students developed sophisticated solutions that address the complex relationships between urban form, environment and society.
“Four additional projects have been selected from the course Urban Design Studio II, also taught by Maryam Shafiei.
“These projects present proposals for the sustainable and inclusive development of a new neighbourhood in Dubai, designed entirely from the ground up for a vacant lot.
“Each proposal explores strategies to integrate environmental resilience, social equity and spatial efficiency within the urban fabric.
“The projects offer fresh perspectives on how Dubai’s future growth can align with global sustainability goals while responding to local context and community needs.”
Weavers-dale by Fareen Shafi
“Bangladesh garment workers – silent architects of the nation’s prosperity – face harsh realities in overcrowded, unsafe settlements along Dhaka-Chittagong corridor.
“Behind each garment lies a story of survival amid poor housing, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure. This project began with 122 surveys, six interviews and photogrammetry to understand workers’ needs.
“It proposes upgrading informal settlements to relieve pressure and improve liveability. Weavers-dale, which won 1st-place award in 2025 MUDDE Senior-Showcase, envisions a self-sustaining artisan neighbourhood with vocational courtyards supporting home-based production.
“Rooted in rhisomatic urbanism, it embraces adaptability and modular infrastructure, transforming these settlements into vibrant hubs of cultural and economic innovation.”
Student: Fareen Shafi
Course: UDDE 614 – Thesis Studio
Email: fareen.shafi[at]mymail.aud.edu
The Return of the Majlis by Fahad AlMusalam
“Hidd, a historic shoreline community in Bahrain, was built on pearling and maritime trades, with social hubs like majlises fostering strong family and community bonds.
“Modernisation in the 1930s brought urban design changes, including grid streets and private villas, which weakened social ties.
“This revitalisation and preservation proposal aims to restore Hidd’s cultural heritage through reconnecting the community by revitalising Hidd Avenue and majlis, while also creating new public spaces and cultural landmarks.
“New housing proposals blend traditional family homes with modern features to maintain social cohesion and preserve the area’s unique identity and create a sense of belonging.”
Student: Fahad AlMusalam
Course: UDDE 614 – Thesis Studio
Email: fahad.almusalam[at]mymail.aud.edu
Superblock Un-Blocked by Raghad Hassan
“Superblock Un-Blocked is an urban design intervention that reimagines Abu Dhabi’s superblocks by activating spaces and prioritising pedestrian connectivity.
“It challenges car-centric planning and spatial fragmentation through the use of layered walkways, modular public programmes and adaptable building types.
“Strategies like the Quad-Link bridge, green corridors and shaded nodes transform the superblock into a walkable, inclusive urban ecosystem.
“The project integrates the traditional sikkak network, mixed-use structures and micromobility to foster social cohesion and urban vibrancy.
“Superblock Un-Blocked reimagines the superblock concept for the GCC context, offering a replicable model for transforming isolated, car-dominated blocks into vibrant, liveable neighbourhoods.”
Student: Raghad Hassan
Course: UDDE 614 – Thesis Studio
Email: raghad.hassan[at]mymail.aud.edu
Satwa Rewired by Abdullah Shakir
“Neo Satwa Vision 0.15 reimagines Dubai’s historic Satwa as a 15-minute neighbourhood aligned with the Dubai 2040 plan.
“Layered vertical zoning basement infrastructure, podium greenery and elevated walkways links Satwa’s vibrant low-rise grid to Sheikh Zayed Road’s skyline.
“Shaded corridors, green courtyards, community hubs and multi-level bridges tackle heat, limited open space and mobility gaps.
“Catchment-based facility placement and integrated transit cut car dependence, nurture local commerce and strengthen social ties.
“The model offers a scalable, people-first blueprint for sustainable, future-ready urbanism.”
Student: Abdullah Shakir
Course: UDDE 614 – Thesis Studio
Email: abdullah.shakirusain[at]mymail.aud.edu
TODx – Dubai’s Next Dimension by Salma Safi
“Dubai’s urban fabric is fragmented, a condition fuelled by rapid urban sprawl and population growth.
“TODx proposes the establishment of a central anchor point, a ‘Transit-Oriented Development’, as a catalyst for reconnecting the city’s fragmented urban fabric.
“TODx builds on core TOD principles, reimagined through the ‘5D city’ concept, focused on connectivity by integrating movement, space and time across vertical, horizontal and multidimensional layers to ensure pedestrian movement is unstoppable.
“This visionary design creates layers of connections, ensuring that no matter what level you are on, the experience feels like being at the ground level.”
Student: Salma Safi
Course: UDDE 614 – Thesis Studio
Email: salma.safi[at]mymail.aud.edu
Vault of Silence by Zahra Ahmadpour
“As an urban retreat, this proposal transforms noisy Dubai Studio City site into a layered living environment inspired by the cave concept.
“It addresses highway and racetrack noise, intense heat and lack of greenery by reimagining density through protection, shading and spatial descent.
“Alternating solid and void apartment blocks form a perimeter edge that buffers sound while preserving permeability.
“While interwoven townhouses soften transitions between residential prototypes, core villas nest one level down, enveloped in quiet spaces.
“Two levels below ground, green landscapes and water create a cool microclimate. This typology folds the city inward, embracing silence, shadow and refuge.”
Student: Zahra Ahmadpour
Course: UDDE 604 – Urban Design Studio II
Email: zahra.ahmadpour[at]mymail.aud.edu
Living Loop by Charulatha Loganathan
“Living Loop redefines urban living as a regenerative experience where sustainability is foundational.
“Centred around four elemental parks (sand, water, green and mat), the district forms a continuous loop that supports both ecology and community life.
“A central sanctuary invites active engagement through butterfly gardens, bee zones, yoga lawns and edible landscapes, encouraging food resilience and ecological stewardship.
“By integrating urban farming and wellness into daily life, Living Loop fosters deep connections with nature and community.
“More than a masterplan, it envisions a low-impact, self-sustaining urban model rooted in environmental awareness, social wellbeing and a harmonious rhythm with natural cycles.”
Student: Charulatha Loganathan
Course: UDDE 604 – Urban Design Studio II
Email: Charulathaloganathan[at]mymail.aud.edu
Micro-housing by Azhaan Kalim
“This proposal outlines a sustainable urban development bridging the gap between work and living spaces through three themed micro-villages: sports, farming and crafts.
“Each village promotes a self-sufficient lifestyle, enabling residents to live, work and socialise locally.
“The master plan integrates residential, commercial and public spaces to enhance accessibility and reduce external disturbances.
“Environmental features like open spaces, water bodies and a pedestrian-friendly transport network support ecological balance.
“Rooted in mixed-use and community-oriented design, the project reflects Dubai’s vision for inclusive, vibrant and liveable neighbourhoods, serving as a model for future urban growth.”
Student: Azhaan Kalim
Course: UDDE 604 – Urban Design Studio II
Email: azhaan.kalim[at]mymail.aud.edu
Reverie by Mohamed Wahid
“An Urban Rebirth in Dubai Studio City envisions an organic yet structured urban layout where the street network follows natural cracks and fractures in the land, creating a dynamic urban grid that reflects the environment’s natural shifts.
“Built-up spaces, green areas and open spaces form a connected ecosystem, transforming the urban fabric into an adaptive environment.
“This design challenges conventional urban layouts with diverse housing typologies linked to nature.
“With limited infrastructure, innovation in walkability, green mobility and sustainable transport, connectivity is ensured as nature reclaims the cityscape, with immersive green spaces that blend the built and natural environments.”
Student: Mohamed Wahid
Course: UDDE 604 – Urban Design Studio II
Email: mohamed.anghilamohamedyacoob[at]mymail.aud.edu
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and American University in Dubai. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
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