Abdurrazagh Ali El-Farrah, AICP

**** ******* ********

San Jacinto, CA 92583

+951-***-**** – USA_Home

+951-***-**** – USA_Mobile

acafd6@r.postjobfree.com

- Urban Planner _ Urban Designer

CAREER OBJECTIVES

- AICP, APA, BSc, MA, Dipl, PhD Candidate

QUALIFICATIONS

PROFILE / SUMMARY

My last assignment was with the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City as a Senior Consultant

Development Review responsible for; the Implementation of the Development Code; preparation of

the draft Planning System for the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs; and,

advising senior management regarding Urban Design & Planning Policies. Until Aug. 2009, I was

employed as the Manager of Urban Planning & Design at the Nakheel Palm Diera- Dubai project.

Prior to my employment with Nakheel, I’ve worked with Parsons International as a Principle Urban

Planner/Urban Designer on a number of projects in Saudi Arabia and Dubai including the City of

Yanbu/Saudi Arabia Master Plan & Urban Design Guidelines, Yanbu Waterfront, Dubailand, etc. I

carry a Diploma in Urban & Regional Planning, a Master in Urban Design & Architecture, and a BSc

in Architecture & Urban & Regional Planning, and I’m currently a PhD candidate in Urban &

Regional Planning at the University of Montpellier-France. I’ve been a member of the American

Institute of Certified Planner “AICP” and the American Planning Associations “APA” since 1994 and

1989 respectively.

Key responsibilities include the following:

Lead Senior Consultant with the Policies & Regulation Section at the Town Planning Sector

at the Abu Dhabi Municipality responsible for the Implementation of the Development Code;

the preparation of a draft Planning System for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Department of

Municipal Affairs); and, advising the upper management on issues related to Urban Design &

Policies & Regulations.

Managing all the Urban Planning, Area Plans and Urban Design activities and prepared

Scope of Works for consulting contracts for the Palm Diera project in Dubai;

Conducting and/or supervising in-house planning and land use studies for the Royal

Commission’s Planning Department in the City of Yanbu-Saudi Arabia

Advising the Royal Commission, and all its managers on matters related to; municipal

planning organization; development review process; tourism development strategies; master

planning; and, marketing & development strategies for the City of Yanbu Waterfront

Development.

Preparing the Scope of Work the Red Sea Historic Towns Centers renovation/tourism

projects based on scoping sessions and workshops conducted by the Royal Commission &

the Saudi Commission for Tourism as well as representatives from concerned cities.

Working for the City of Escondido as an Urban Planner-Urban Designer in the Current and

Advance Planning Divisions responsible for the preparation of environmental (CEQA/NEPA)

documents and development projects review.

In my work assignments, I have had several key roles including, Project Manager, Project Lead

Planner, Principal Urban Designer, Contract Planner, Principal Urban Planner, Senior Urban

Planner, Architectural & Urban Design Lecturer, Associate Planner, Architectural Design/Drafting &

Technical Services Manager - where I have gained valuable skills, that show in my work portfolio

and professional experience.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Ph.D. Candidate Urban Planning – Completed all required qualifying courses/exams -

University of Montpellier, France

DEA Diploma (Diplome d’Etitudes Approfondees - an equivalent to a Master Degree) in

Urban/Regional Planning - University of Montpellier, France.

MA - Master of Architecture / Urban Design

Urban Design Major - University of California, USA

BSc. Architecture & Urban / Regional Planning

University of Tripoli, Libya.

Professional Affiliation:

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

American Planning Association (APA)

Architectural Licensing – (in process of completing the ARE/AIA registration exam).

Board of Directors 1996-1998 - Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO), San Diego, CA.

Languages: English, Arabic, French

Work History

Aug. 2010-Nov. 2012 Senior Consultant Planning & Development Review- Municipality of

Abu Dhabi City.

June 2010-Aug. 2010 Independent Consultant-ADM Code Implementation Contract – PM

Development Code Implementation for Otak International (short-term

Contract-June-Aug. 15, 2010)

Jan. 2008 – Aug. 2009 Urban Planning & Design Manager - Nakheel Northern Projects

(NNP) – Palm Deira; Mina Rashid; The World; and, Dubai Maritime

City.

Jan 2007 – Dec 2007 Senior Urban Planner - Parsons, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Jan 2001 – Dec 2006 Principal Urban Planner/ Urban Designer-Senior Supervisor, Studies

Unit - Project Manager-Urban Planning Parsons, Yanbu, Al-Sinaiyah,

Saudi Arabia

Jan 1989 – Dec 2000 Urban Planner/Urban Designer – Current/Advanced Planning

City of Escondido Planning Dept., Escondido, Ca, USA

Jan 1988-Dec 1988 Technical Services Manager

Systems Construction Co., Anaheim, Ca, USA

Jan 1987-Dec.1987 Project Manager – Architecture Drafting/ Design

Andy Do, AIA & Associates – Garden Grove, Ca, USA

(From 1982-1987 – post graduate studies in Montpellier-France)

1980 – 1982 Lecturer-Instructor & a lead member of the University Consulting

Team. - University of Tripoli – School of Architecture/Urban Planning,

Tripoli, Libya -

1976 – 1980 Architectural Drafting/Design – Health Care Facilities – Design

Planning - Bobrow Thomas & Associates – Westwood, Ca, USA

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE PROJECTS, ASSIGNMENTS & WORK

RESPONSIBILITIES

GCC Region:

Senior Planning Consultant - Municipality of Abu Dhabi

Lead Senior Consultant with the Policies & Regulation Section at the Town Planning Sector at

the Abu Dhabi Municipality responsible for the Implementation of the Development Code; the

preparation of a draft Planning System for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Department of Municipal

Affairs); and, advising the upper management on issues related to Urban Design & Policies &

Regulations.

Urban Planning & Design Manager for the Master Plans for Palm Deira; Mina Rashid; The World;

and, Dubai Maritime City (recently merged to form the NNP).

Responsibilities:

Nakheel Northern Projects - Manager - Urban Planning & Design Manager – I have

o

managed the Urban Planning consultancy contracts (from inception Scope of Work, RFQ/RFP,

Consultants’ Interview/selection to the on-going day-to-day management) for large scale Master

Plans for the Palm Deira Development (comprising 9 Islands with a built-out population of 1.2

millions on a total area 43 million M2). Additionally, I was responsible for the development of

Urban Design concepts for Palm Deira pilot/seed projects. Other projects I worked on include,

but are not limited to:

Palm Deira Master Plan: Palm Deira is the third & the largest of the Dubai “Palm Trilogy”.

The development is envisioned to be a self-sustainable waterfront community consisting of 9

islands with a total area of approx. 43,000,000 M2 and a projected build-out population of

approx. 1.2 million. The project will add several marinas & over 190 Km of coastline to Dubai.

Mina Rashid Master Plan: Mina Rashid is intended to expand the existing old port facilities

with mixed use and marine facilities. The master plan will built in 3 phases with a total site

area of approx. 8 million M2; GFA of 23 million M2; and, build-out population of 705,000.

The World Master Plan: The World Master Plan consists of 253 islands ranging in size

from +100 ha to ~2 ha - Avg. size= 4.12 ha – (No. of islands may change as conditional

merger & reconfiguration are allowed if navigation waterways & easements are maintained).

Anticipated population range from 187,000 (low scenario) to 307,000 (high scenario) with

approx. 40,000 residential units; a GFA of 3.5 million M2; and, supporting community &

marine facilities.

Dubai Maritime City Master Plan: The world’s largest center for maritime commerce &

business with the intent to be the new home for the relocation of Dubai JADAF. The site area

is approximately 227 ha divided into 2 major precincts: 121 Ha Commercial Precinct & 106 Ha

Industrial Precinct with anticipated built-out population of approx. 132,000 & a total GFA of 3.2

million M2.

Urban Design Concepts Development: In addition to being the Master Developer for all

reclaimed land, Nakheel also developed several seeds projects to stimulate private

investment and set the tone for design & development quality. My responsibilities include the

preparation of Urban Design Concepts, Scope of Work and Projects’ Briefs. Some of the

projects I worked on include but, are not limited to:

Bellagio Hotel Complex – The project consists of 500-room. 500 villas/apt full service 5-star

hotel in addition to retail & office facilities, restaurants, show-rooms, etc. on 8.5 ha site with

a total of 286,600 M2 GFA (Gross Floor Area).

Affordable Housing Complex – The project consists of 7,500 residential units with a total

GFA of 806,875 M2 in addition to supporting community facilities and commercial / retail &

recreational/open space amenities.

First Complex Development – A Mixed Use development complex containing five towers

on a 3.5-ha site with a total GFA of approx. 300, 000 M2 & 6.2 FAR. The project consists of

1,100 residential units, 71,000 M2 offices & 15,000 M2 retails uses.

The Dubai Creek Entry Iconic Development - International Competition - An

International Competition (by invitation- SOM, HOK & CannFinch) for the design of an

Iconic 120,000 M2 GFA Mixed Use complex. The project consists of an Iconic Hotel Tower,

luxury waterfront residential units, a commercial building, and street-front retail. I drafted

the Competition Program and organized/participated in the evaluation sessions.

Diera Island Central - Waterfront-Residential Development– A luxury waterfront

residential development consisting of 120 villas and 900-unit residential complex with a

total GFA of ~380,000 M2 on an 11-ha site.

Diera Island North- Golf Course Development - The project is located on a 108-ha site

and consists of; an 18-hole golf course with associated amenities (clubhouse, retail,

restaurants, etc.) on a 60-ha site; mixed-use towers (commercial residential); and, high-

density residential apartment towers.

DIF-Business Park - The Business Park is located on a ~15-ha site with a total GFA of

~340,000 M2 consisting of the following components; Office Towers (Co. HQ, R&D –

271,000 M2 GFA); Serviced Apt./Hotel (250 units – 50,800 M2 GFA); and supporting

facilities (retail, nursery, post, mosque, etc. – 17,000 M2 GFA).

Wharf Residence & Hotel Mixed Use Complex- The project consists of 200 Wharf Units

(~40,000 M2 GFA) in addition to 300 Serviced Apts. Hotel (60,000 M2 GFA) with

associated retail and commercial uses as well as an integrated marine transit station and

boating docks.

January 2007 – December 2007

Parsons - Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Senior Urban Planner_ PMO- “Program Management Organization” for Dubailand

Key Roles & Responsibilities –

Team Leader-Group #3–Eco-Tourism Node -Dubailand Development.

Dubailand is the largest entrainment & tourism/leisure development in the Middle East. The 275 Km2

project is envisioned to be the desert gateway destination for more than 4 million visitors annually. It

is anticipated that the development will comprise a total 109 projects (29 announced projects; 33

committed projects & 44 unassigned plots as of 2008). Dubailand is divided into 5 major

groups/theme nodes; Retail & Entertainment Node; Ecotourism Node; Resort Hospitality Node;

Sports Node; and, International Attraction Brand Node. The project will be developed in three

phases with the build-out anticipated by 2018.

Parsons PMO team, in agreement with Dubailand Management, divided Dubailand into three PMO

project groups. A Team Leader Project Manager was assigned for each group. The Team Leader is

responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project development from inception to the final approval

for occupancy. The Team Leader is responsible for meeting with the investors and working with the

design consultants to review and evaluate Preliminary & Final Master Plans; coordinating the

permitting process with all concerned agencies (the various departments in Dubai Municipality,

DEWA, Civil Aviation Authority, etc.); and, work with construction teams to ensure that the

development is carried out in accordance with the development schedule.

Senior Urban Planner –

Dubai - Al Rashidiyah Neighborhood Urban Revitalization Program

Abu Dhabi – Al Ream Island Master Plan Update & Community Facilities Plan

Algeria – North Africa – Master Plan Concepts for Tourist Complex/Resorts for the Ministry of

Tourism (projects funded by private Invertors – UAE) - Ain Tanya, Moscarda.

January 2001 – December 2006

Parsons, Yanbu, Al-Sinaiyah, Saudi Arabia

Principal Urban Planner/ Urban Designer-Senior Supervisor, Studies Unit/ Project Manager - Urban

Planning

The responsibilities of the Studies Unit include, but are not limited to, conducting & overseeing all in-

house Planning and Land Use Studies, prepare/draft Scope of Works for contracted studies and

evaluating all consultants’ submittals pertaining to Urban Planning tasks. Under my capacity as a

Unit Senior Supervisor, I served to a large degree as an adviser / trainer to the Saudi staff in dealing

with Development Control project review and investment opportunity projects assessment. I have

also been called upon to advise the Royal Commission (RC), which included the Urban Planning

Director, the Deputy Director General and the Director General, on matters related to municipal

planning organization & development review process (the result of which is being currently applied

in the most recent creation of the Current and Advance Planning Units). Major tasks and

projects/contracts assigned to me include the following:

Project Manager/ Lead Planner – Tourism Development Strategies Master Plans & Rehabilitation/

Renovation of Heritage Areas of the North Red Sea Port Cities– This Contract were awarded to PLB

Consultants (England) with Albert Speer (Germany) & Llewlyn Davies Yeang (England) as Sub-

Consultants. The project is funded by the Royal Commission (RC) and is jointly carried out by the

RC, the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MOMRA).

The project involves the following major components:

• Tourism Strategies & Development Master Plans – (North Red Sea Port Cities of Yanbu Al-

Sinaiyah, Yanbu Al-Bahr, Umluj, Al-Wajh & Duhba).

• Cultural/Heritage Centers Renovation / Rehabilitation Plans – This task involves several

sites/ City Centers within Red Sea coastal cities of of Yanbu Al-Bahr; Umluj; Al-Wajh; Duhba;

and, Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah. The Scope of Work includes an overall Urban Design concept plan

for each Historic District and Historic Preservation Guidelines for development in these areas.

• Pilot Projects & Adaptive Re-Use Sites – In order to ensure economic viability and continued

active use within each Historic Core area, selected significant historic resources/buildings

will be nominated/renovated for adaptive re-use facilities.

• Historic Recourses Preservation & Management Plan – The intent of this task is to assist

MOMRA and SCT in the development of on-going monitoring/preservation of these historic

districts as well as satisfy requirements for future nomination of these areas as World

Heritage Sites.

• Marketing and Tourism Development Strategy for Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah Waterfront

Development - This task will be carried out by a marketing consultant based on the

previously approved Waterfront Development Plan.

My responsibilities as the Project Manager/ Lead Planner/ include the following:

1) Preparation of the Scope of Work based on the scoping sessions and workshops conducted

by the RC, SCT, MOMRA and representatives from concerned Cities.

2) Preparation of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for all involved Cities.

3) Assistance in the Project’s Preparation of Term of Reference (TOR)

4) Participation in Interviews and Consultant Selection/Evaluation Process.

5) Participation in the Pre-& Post Award Negotiation Sessions.

6) Project Management – As a Project Manager, I was responsible for overseeing the day-today

project activities such as submittals’ review, follow-up with concerned parties (RC

Departments, SCT, MOMRA and Municipalities), organizing workshops and presentations,

project tracking, scheduling and invoicing. The contract also included Saudi Staff training

with the Consultants’ offices (England & Germany).

Lead Urban Designer - Project Manager - City Centre for Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah– the Centre is an ~ 80-

ha waterfront Specific Planning Area designated as the future City Centre for the community. The

Centre includes major seed projects such as the RC Head Quarter, the Grand Mosque and the

Cultural/Civic Centre facilities. The Centre also contains a major shopping Centre/Mall, mixed use

development and corporate/financial headquarter district. As the Project Manager/Lead Urban

Designer/Urban Planner, my responsibilities include the following:

1) Preparation of the Scope of Work based on the Program Concept, which I prepared and

approved by the RC in 2004. The Scope of Work identified Consultant’s tasks, deliverable

and Project Schedule. The Scope of Work also included an associated Economic Feasibility

and Marketing Study for the City Centre.

2) Project Management – Overseeing the day-today project activities such as submittals’ review,

follow-up with concerned RC Departments, organizing workshops and presentations, project

tracking, scheduling and invoicing. The contract also included Saudi Staff training with the

Consultant office.

Project Lead Planner/ Urban Designer-Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah Waterfront Development: Prepared the

Urban Design Concept & Development Program, shoreline configuration, and development criteria

for the Yanbu waterfront (+400 ha of undeveloped properties extending ~12 km along the Red-Sea

shoreline) the concept plan includes tourist and commercial facilities, marinas, public parks and

educational facilities, trails and camp-grounds and eco-tourism conservation areas. The Program

became the basis for detailed work contract, which was subsequently awarded to Albert Speer-

Frankfurt/Germany in 2005. The Waterfront Development consists of 13 sub-areas that contain

recreational, eco-tourism & tourist facilities (+12 major hotels, Aqua Island, beaches & appurtenance,

mangrove habitat and interpretative & educational centers, harbour village, marinas, etc.). My

responsibilities as the lead Planner/Urban Designer included:

Participation in all design workshops and value engineering sessions, advising the Royal

Commission regarding all waterfront development activities and review and comment on all

deliverables (design and construction drawings) for consistency with the approved

Waterfront Planning Concept.

Preparation of the Scope of Work based on the Program Concept, which I prepared and

approved by the RC in 2004. The Scope of Work identified Consultant’s tasks, deliverables

and Project Schedule. The Scope of Work also included an associated Economic Feasibility

and Marketing Study for the City Centre.

Project Management – Overseeing the day-today project activities such as submittals’ review,

follow-up with concerned RC Departments, organizing workshops and presentations, project

tracking, scheduling and invoicing. The contract also included Saudi Staff training with the

Consultant office.

Project Manager – Lead Urban Planner - Hydraulic Study and Modeling – As part of the Waterfront

Area Plan, I have managed and supervised the preparation of a hydraulic study conducted by

DELFT Laboratories (Delft – Netherlands). The study assessed the proposed shoreline configuration

alternatives that I have prepared based on computer-generated modeling. The study was

commissioned as a part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) & dredging activities for the

waterfront project.

Urban Designer/Planner -Citywide Urban Design Guidelines – An update and revisions to the City

1980 Urban Design Study – I have drafted the Urban Design Guidelines, which established project

review mechanism and dealt with the urban form, and city image, specific area guidelines for

residential, mixed-use and commercial development (site development, architecture, landscaping

and signage).

Member of the Yanbu Master Plan 2000 Update Team – Updating the City’s previous 1977 and 1987

Master Plan.

USA - California

January 1989 – December 2000

City Of Escondido Planning Dept., Escondido, Ca, USA

Urban Planner/Urban Designer – Current/Advanced Planning

My responsibilities included the following areas:

Advanced Planning:

• General Plan Update – Team member / Environmental Impact Report “EIR” Contract

Management

• General Plan Amendments and General Plan Implementation Programs (Area and Specific

Plans). Annexation – Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Review Process.

• Redevelopment Area – Affordable Housing Compliance for HCD – (AB 1290, Density Bonus,

Inclusionary Housing, etc).

• CDBG – Home Programs: Environmental Review – Compliance with HUD’s NEPA and

CEQA Process.

• Staff Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission – Historic District, Mills Act – Historic

Resources Survey (SHPO - Grant Consulting Team Contract Manager).

Current Planning:

• Design Review Board – Staff Liaison to the Design Review Board.

• Development Plans Review – Tentative Subdivision Maps, Grading Plans, Landscaping

Plans, etc.

• Public Hearing Items – Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Planned Development, GPA,

Appeals, etc.

• Environmental Review – Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, EIR (Supplement, Addendum

and Subsequent).

• Supervision – Supervised Planners I & II and Counter Planners / Land Use Tech.

• Public Works Project – Coordinated Planning / Engineering Team for CIP – Local /State /

Federally Funded.

• Economic Development and Revitalization Projects:

o Downtown Façade Improvement and Business Enhancement Program.

o Downtown Revitalization Specific Plan

o South Escondido Boulevard Area Plan.

Jan-Dec 1988

Systems Construction Co., Anaheim, Ca, USA

Technical Services Manager

Site Analysis, Design and Development (residential and commercial developments) Permit Process/

Coordination Managed/ supervised the 4-member Technical Services Division team.

1986 – 1987

Andy Do, AIA & Associates – Garden Grove, Ca, USA

Project Manager – Architecture Drafting/ Design

Site Analysis / Development for commercial and residential development - Working drawing –

construction documents and specifications.

(From 1982-1987 – post graduate studies in Montpellier-France)

1980 – 1982

University of Tripoli – School of Architecture/Urban Planning, Tripoli, Libya

Lecturer-Instructor

Taught courses in Architectural Design Studio, Housing Development and Planning Regulations

1980 – 1982

University Of Tripoli – School Of Architecture/Urban Planning – Tripoli, Libya

University Consulting Team

Tripoli Master Plan Update

Tripoli Old Town Revitalization

Housing Projects – Ministry of Housing

1976 – 1980

Bobrow Thomas & Associates – Westwood, Ca, USA

Architectural Drafting/Design – Health Care Facilities – Design Planning

• Working Drawings - detailing and drafting

• Model building/ presentations – Research and Analysis

Further reference details & work samples are available upon request

Contact this candidate