CM Portfolio 24

PORTFOLIO

A cross-disciplinary professional in urbanism, architecture, and research, Chafic Mekawi started his career in the pursuit of developing sustainable communities. Focused on advocacy for healthy cities, he has international and local experience in planning, strategy, design and development, and digital transformations.

As a licensed Professional Architect and Urban Strategist, Chafic has applied a critical lens to urban development projects and have successfully implemented a portfolio of 20+ real estate and infrastructure development projects totaling $240M.

Laheq Island Master Plan

Masdar City Master Plan

Sénégal River Basin

Morocco Pavilion Expo 2020

Cartier x Manama Pavilion

Louvre Abu Dhabi

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Laheq Island Master Plan Planning & Transport Tabuk, KSA | 2023

Laheq island is envisioned as a bespoke hospitality, marina, residential and golf resort community in Saudi Arabia. It will offer a unique opportunity for residents to own a home surrounded by the serene waters of the Red Sea and the verdant greens of their own golf course, and to be immersed in the culture of Arabia.

KSA Vision Born out of Vision 2030, The Red Sea Project will position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map. It will directly support the Strategic Objectives to createa an exquisite luxury destination built around nature, islands and culture, setting new standards in sustainable development.

Laheq Island Vision The centrally located 12 hectare marina forms the heart of the community will be flanked by a 200-key marina hotel, 50 marina hotel villa keys, 80 west-facing boutique hotel keys, 120 marina condominiums, and a central retail and F&B souq with wedding venue and spa.

The Master Plan of the island has been created by Foster + Partners in collaboration with TRSDC’s inhouse masterplanning team to develop key hospitality and amenity structures on the island to keep with their “Forever Gardens” design concept. Foster + Partners have developed several pre-concept level designs for the residential villa typologies. As per given direction, AECOM aims to preserve the original vision, while suggesting strategic solutions and necessary adjustments to the original master plan.

Project Objectives Luxury Design Provide a state of the art luxurious design to provide an exceptional experience to guests that cannot be found elsewhere in the world.

Signature Architecture A signature, unique architectural design which enriches the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and represent the uniqueness of TRSP.

Environmentally Sensitive Provide an eco friendly and sustainable design that not only preserves, but enhances the surrounding environment and incorporates technology that promotes a reduction of the overall carbon footprint/environmental impact.

Integrated Mobility As designs for the airport and other site wide transportation strategies develop, the designer will be required to coordinate with the Employers’ appointed consultants to accommodate services for transport within the design.

Respective Lighting Adhere to a Dark Sky lighting approach to minimize light pollution and enhance Guest and visitor experience. The target is to obtain accreditation from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

Exclusivity Provision to accommodate VVIP, VIP and high net worth visitors and provide them with innovative RDE (Retail, Dining & Entertainment) experiences.

AECOM Master Plan While respecting the project vision, AECOM has carefully examined and conducted studies within the scope of services to make necessary recommendations and adjustments to the master plan.

Design Principles

Masdar City Master Plan Planning & Design Abu Dhabi, UAE | 2023

Located in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste city powered by renewable energy. AECOM was awarded with the planning and development for the detailed master plan for phase five of Masdar city, as part of the flagship city's two-phase expansion

Masdar City Vision The city’s design focuses on sustainability at its core, which has been incorporated into the planning, design, transportation, energy and waste management to make the city one of the most energy-efficient in the world. Phase 1 amounts to more than 1 million m2 of Gross Floor Area (GFA), of which 90% is completed or under construction. Combined with Phase 2 and 5, the total GFA of the City will exceed 2 million m2.

Masdar Phase 5 AECOM will be responsible for the design and implementation of the expansion, providing increased capacity and flexibility to accommodate the growing population within the Master development area. The Masdar City phase five masterplan is defined by a dedicated public park and school served by a residential community including villas, townhouses, and recreational amenities and green spaces.

Project Benchmarking Energy

Transport

Energy consumption per capita

% Buildings within 500-m of transit

% Energy from renewables

% Establishments accessible by pedestrian walkway and bike lanes % journeys on public transport (including cycling and walking)

Water

Water consumption per capita

Wastewater Management

% Wastewater reused

Green Space and Ecology

Green space per capita

% Green space

Phase 5 Master Plan Every aspect of the masterplan's design incorporates sustainable elements. The majority of the buildings will be low-rise with no more than five storeys, thereby minimising energy usage. All buildings will optimise the use of natural light, and feature low-energy lighting, insulation and glazing to minimise energy use.

Sénégal River Basin Use of AI in GIS: Environmental Impact Assessment Sénégal River, West Africa | 2023

Extending over 337, 500 km² with a population of around 3.5 million inhabitants, the Senegal River basin crosses Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. One of the biggest challenges for the resource development and ecology of the Senegal River concerns the massive presence of invasive aquatic species (particularly the Typha species).

GeoConsult was tasked with the use of Geospatial and AI technology for mapping and monitoring the invasive aquatic plants in the basin and their impact on the Environment.

Senegal River Basin Map

The objective of this analysis is to:

Global Mapping

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Map the entire Senegal River Basin.

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Identify and Map the plant spatial extent and distribution using AI

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Analyze the evolution of typha over the last 20 years

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Provide local and national strategic solutions

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Survey and Monitor the evolution of the invasive species

Topographic Map

Multitemporal Land Cover

Senegal River Basin Location Plan

AI Deep Learning Workflow

An extensive process leveraging GeoAI machine learning was carried out to determine the invasive aquatic plants spatial extent and distribution. The AI-enabled technology served to identify the invasive species' distribution, biomass, speed of propagation, and affected areas. GeoAI refers to the integration of artificial intelligence techniques and technologies with geospatial data and analysis.

Circular Economy Strategy Following the identification of the invasive species' evolution and affected areas along the basin, several sustainable strategies were deployed in order to tackle waste management challenges and activate the local economies. Once extracted, the Typha aquatic plant is transformed into bioenergy in the form of charcoal through a process of carbonisation. Alternatively, the plant species is collected and turned into less resource-intensive construction material thereby creating new opportunities for the local communities and recapturing 'waste' as a development resource.

Morocco Pavilion Expo 2020 Architecture Dubai, UAE | 2021

The Morocco Pavilion showcases how traditional Moroccan design and construction techniques can find new relevance in contemporary design and urban development efforts. The Pavilion aims to push the technical and creative limits of Morocco’s traditional building materials to new heights, while paying tribute to the country’s rich and varied culture.

Axon Diagram

Third Floor Plan

Manama

‫المنامة‬

Dubai, UAE — 2022 conception, project management, operations

Traditionally an elevated structure walled with white sails, the Manama is considered an essential form of architectural vernacular across the gulf. Although Manama’s are no longer used, for the first time, we use this exposition to revive its important historical architecture in collaboration with Cartier.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Architecture / Abu Dhabi, UAE / 2017 Project Management, on-site management

Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab World, translating and fostering the spirit of openness between cultures. Designed by Jean Nouvel, the museum displays works of historical, cultural and sociological significance, from ancient times to the contemporary era.

Contact Chafic Mekawi +971 52 8221983 chafic.mekawi@gmail.com