Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

In my current role at HDC, he is leading critical transformations to improve quality of living with a target of making Hulhumalé, a people centric smart city. He also aims to make Hulhumalé, a climate resilient city which can evolve and adapt to changes imposed by climate change. With a focus on supporting the socio-economic development of the city, I plan to increase public participation and enhance stakeholder engagement in moving forward.

As the Director of Planning and Development Department at HDC I lead a team of land surveyors, urban planners, landscape designers and architects. I am tasked with helping HDC deliver the masterplan in a commercially and socially viable manner and shape Hulhumalé to improve quality of living for it's residents. I oversee developments and proposals for land use and urban plans. Direct landscape designers develop soft and hardscape of the city. Comment and approve concepts and detail architectural drawings for new developments by our in house architects and external firms. Helps our surveyors manage an upto date geo located map of the city. All our data is managed on a Geographic Information System (GIS).

After graduating with my masters from University of Sheffield, this is the position where I always wanted to be. After my promotion to Director of Planning and Development in 2018, I feel like I have a chance to really make a difference in this field.

The relative newness of the field of planning in the Maldives. This has lead to many challenges such as lack of processed data relative to the field and the ability for policy makers and general public to understand and comprehend the importance of effective planning.

We tend to make short term plans which keeps shifting with every government administration. Our plans for housing, transport and commercial development needs to be more solid and long term for people of Maldives to actually benefit from it.

For my Master’s design dissertation, I explored and developed socio-spatial strategies to enhance the sense of belonging in new urban developments through public spaces. I focused on neighborhood one in Hulhumale’. During the process of this study I adopted a qualitative research approach whereby I interviewed numerous residents of Hulhumale’ from different demographics. This process lead to conversion of the strategies to an urban masterplan. My experience working as an intern urbanist in Integreat Plus, UK helped me understand the process behind stakeholder engagement better. I worked as a part of a not-for-profit social enterprise consultancy which offers architectural, planning and economic development support to communities, local authorities and built environment professionals.

Though my dissertation was an academic piece of work, it has manifested into real life action plans. I currently work closely with the community engagement team of HDC in taking steps to provide opportunities for the public to participate in our development. HDC now holds community engagement sessions regularly to get feedback prior to commencement of any public space developments.

I have a degree in Architecture and now my Masters in the field of Planning and urban design had help me get to where I am today. From my knowledge of design (AutoCAD, Sketchup, GIS and Adobe Suite) and project management (MS Projects) software to leadership and people management knowledge I have got over the past 12 years in the built environment field are skills I use daily in the field.

In 2018 HDC a partnership agreement with UNDP and Ooredoo (local telecom provider) to carry out a smart city initiative project to develop awareness for urban life and encourage public involvement through soft and hard infrastructure. Through this partnership, I play a crucial role in pushing a community portal where the public can apply for municipal services to ease accessibility to the common public.

Furthermore, in the same year as part of my private practice, I run a small design studio named Charrette Studio. A successful design and consultancy firm which has been working in Maldives since 2014. After completing my Masters, I currently hold the position of Director for Architecture, Planning and Urban Design. Under my direction the studio has successfully developed an urban design model for integrated resort tourism. Among which include L.Baresdhoo, the first ever integrated resort in Maldives. The studio has practice the model on other islands

In addition, I provide individual consultancy (urban planning consultant) for Greater Male’ Industrial Zone Limited (GMIZL). My area of focus lies in developing an urban and industrial masterplan for the both Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. Both islands are a part of greater male’ region.

I volunteer my professional expertise to the built environment of the Maldives in any way I can. I would like to highlight that in 2018, as an in-kind contribution to Island Development and Environment Awareness Society (IDEAS), I worked as a planning consultant on the Mangroves for the Future Project. I helped develop eco-friendly land use and urban design plans to strategically place viewing platforms in Gdh Hoadehdhoo and Gdh Nadella wetlands. Both local islands in the Maldives. This worked was follow up with a project to help developing a land use plan for Ha. Kelaa tourism zone. Which i have completed in 2019.

In, 2019 I was also engaged as a planning consultant to the Ministry of Environment under the project "Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Maldives to Manage Climate Change - Induced Water Shortages" project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). I have successfully completed this engagement and handed over the report last December.

One of my biggest career goal is the promote the field of Planning and Urban Design in the Maldives. This includes advocating and educating the public about importance of best practice of the field and how vital it is to improve the quality of living in our urban context and the built environment. I will urge to form a association of planners and urban design to become more vocal in our shared goals. Currently there is no association of NGO promoting promoting this field.

Futhermore, I hope to further my career and expand my planning knowledge and expertise to the whole country by working in the government. I see myself holding a position relevant to my field in the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure or Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the future.

I also intend to make more time for my private practice and run a leading architecture and planning practice the country.

I always say do what inspires you. If you are interested in the built environment and in how we shape cities the cities we live this field is for you! Once you decide be committed and attentive. The rewards will follow.