Taher Osman

With distinguished professional 25-years’ Experience, successfully bridging the academic and applied urban development fields, specializing as Urban Planning, Smart Cities and Sustainability Expert, parallel with an extended experience in Urban projects management, In its various fields and levels (regional, strategic, detailed planning - urban design - site planning – landscape architecture), as well as practical experience in cross-cutting fields related to urban development projects (roads planning and design, transportation and traffic studies – infrastructure works - environmental and hydrological studies - community participation - feasibility and economic studies - community studies).

I hold a PhD in urban planning with a specialization in smart cities, focused on its urban perspective and applications in urban development. In addition, I earned a master’s degree in urban planning, specializing in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with land-use planning, which provided a solid foundation for understanding the impact of digital technologies on urban context, spatial efficiency, and land use distribution. Beyond my academic background, I have actively participated as a smart cities’ expert in high-level strategic and regulatory initiatives.

I was a core member of the team responsible for preparing the national strategy for smart new cities in Egypt, working in collaboration with the World Bank, the Ministry of Housing, and the New Urban Communities Authority. I also contributed to the preparation of the Egyptian Code for the Planning, Management, Operation, and Sustainability of Smart Cities, supporting the development of national guidelines that translate smart city concepts into practical and enforceable frameworks. In addition, I have participated in specialized workshops and capacity-building programs on smart cities and digital urban transformation, organized in cooperation with UN-Habitat, GIZ, and national urban development institutions.

These activities strengthened my expertise in smart governance, digital urban services, institutional frameworks, and the practical implementation of smart city principles.

Throughout my professional career, I have been involved in major regional, strategic master planning, detailed planning, and redevelopment projects, including new cities and economic zones, urban regeneration areas, and local development plans. Also I have an experience in leading Urban design and landscape architecture projects. I have worked closely with international organizations, government agencies, and leading consultancy firms, contributing to projects that required high technical standards, strong coordination skills, and clear reporting and presentation abilities.

Within 25 years of experience, I worked on and managed many major projects, from the studies phase to the implementation phases. Among the most important of these projects are:

• Development and Improvement of the Urban Environment in the neighborhoods of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, KSA for 28 months.
• Planning and design of demolition areas in the Masanea’ district of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, KSA for 5 months.
• Study and design for WADI LAJAB Park, Jazan, KSA for 16 months.
• Preparation of a Strategic Plan for The Region of Jazan and Jizan City in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 8 months.
• The Development of Maspero Triangle, Cairo for 27 months.
• Al-Alamein New City: General Strategic & Detailed Plan, Egypt for 42 months.
• 10th of Ramadan City: General Strategic Plan, El-Sharqia, Egypt for 14 months.
• North of Giza District (Imbaba Airport Land): General Strategic and Detailed Plans, Giza for 16 months.
• General planning for Giza City for 13 months.
• The Economic Area in Northwest of the Suez Gulf (SEZone): General and Detailed Plans for 21 months.
• Al-Warak Nile Corniche Area (Northern Sector of Giza City): Detailed Plans and Implementation Documents for 19 months.
• Rod El-Farag Area: Detailed Plans and Implementation Documents for Urban Tourism Development for 40 months.

These projects varied between the establishment and development of new cities, the re-planning of existing urban environment (cities and areas), as well as the planning and design of local communities, industrial, tourist, service and central areas, with attention to solving traffic, infrastructure and environmental issues, in addition to following community participation methodologies with residents, investors and official entities.

2026: Project Management Professional (PMP)®

2016: PhD in Urban Planning - Specialization: Smart Cities

PHD Title: Urban Perspective of Smart Cities - The Case of the New Cities in Egypt

2009: Master of Urban Planning - Specialization: Land Use Planning

Master Title: The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Dynamics of Land-Use Change

2003 - 2004: Pre-master’s in urban planning, (Grad: Very Good)

2001: Bachelor of Urban Planning (General grad: Very Good – Order Graduation: Second)

Graduation Project: Urban Development Planning of Damietta – New Damietta urban Region (Grad of project: Excellent)