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Dima Rachid Joins as Landscape Urbanism Design Lead at Gensler

May 27, 2026

Gensler Middle East has appointed Dima Rachid as the new Landscape Urbanism Design Lead for its expanding Cities studio.

Based in Dubai, Rachid will power the firm’s commitment to people-centered, climate-responsive, and resilient urban design across public and private sectors. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, she will operate under the guidance of Steven Velegrinis, Design Director for Gensler Middle East and Head of Cities Practice APME, to deliver context-driven master plans prioritising liveability and sustainability.

Proven Expertise

Rachid joins the global design firm as an accomplished urban designer and landscape strategist recognized for her holistic approach to city-making. Her career blends high-profile project delivery with rigorous academic thought leadership across Los Angeles, Beirut, and Dubai.

Her extensive portfolio features significant public realm transformations and sustainable infrastructure initiatives, including:

Ministry of Culture JAX (Diriyah) & JAX Public Realm Regeneration Plan
Horsh Beirut Regeneration Plan
Sustainable Greywater Treatment Pilot within a prominent Saudi Arabian giga-project

Driving Regional and Global Expansion

Gensler Middle East Logo.Image Courtesy-Official Website

This strategic hire arrives during a period of accelerated growth for Gensler’s Cities studio, which is currently managing complex, large-scale developments across international markets. Rachid’s expertise in systems thinking will directly reinforce the firm’s capacity to scale its regional operations and address complex ecosystem challenges.

The studio’s active cross-border pipeline includes:

Rawasi Muscat: Oman’s premier Mountain Wellness Integrated Tourism Complex.
Vang Vieng Tourism Masterplan: A major leisure destination framework in Laos.
Mediterranean Coast Portfolios: Strategic master planning packages in Egypt.
African Infrastructure Frameworks: Resilience-focused developments including the Lagos Coastal masterplan in Nigeria and targeted projects in Kenya.

Gensler’s executive leadership views the appointment as a vital step in aligning urban design with national economic and sustainability goals. Leadership emphasizes that navigating contemporary urban complexities requires bridging macro-scale regional growth with micro-scale community experiences.

Tariq Shaikh, Co-Managing Director and Principal, Gensler Middle East, said: “Rachid’s appointment reflects Gensler Middle East’s continued investment in urban design and planning capabilities. Our Cities studio is playing a critical role in delivering holistic, future-focused solutions that support national visions and global sustainability goals – elevating tourism, business, and everyday life.”

Todd Pilgreen, Co-Managing Director and Principal, Gensler Middle East added: “The projects ahead of us are complex and require broad systems thinking. Rachid’s leadership and multidisciplinary experience will strengthen our ability to support clients in delivering high-impact, large-scale, community-centric projects, helping position Gensler as a trusted partner shaping The Middle East’s next chapter of growth.”

Commenting on her appointment, Rachid said: “The growing complexity of today’s urban challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach that Gensler is well-equipped to deliver through its global reach and regional expertise. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to create contextual places and spaces that are rooted in local culture and act as a catalyst for socially sustainable urban transformation – redefining how we design and experience these environments, both on a micro and macro scale.”

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