Bureau Gladys++ | Architecture Office
What We Do
Bureau Gladys ++ is an interdisciplinary collaboration committed to fostering critical urban practices, learning, and designs. We prioritize human and ecological potentials through steadfast respect for cultural, environmental, and gender diversity
At Bureau Gladys++, we draw inspiration from the often overlooked and non-mainstream histories, recognizing their immense value. By looking beyond conventional approaches, we strive to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future via innovative solutions that address the complex challenges of urban environments.
With our headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, we provide a broad range of services, including research, design consultancy, and community engagement. We strive to foster a global network of like-minded environmentalists who share our passion and actively contribute to reimagining urban spaces, crafting resilient infrastructure, and fostering social equity.
Who We Are
DALIA WAHDAN
Ph.D. in Urban Sociology
M.Sc of Art in Anthropology
Co-founder of Bureau Gladys, a joint venture for urban and architectural studies based in Egypt, and associate professor (adjunct) at the School of Public Policy, the American University in Cairo – AUC
With a Ph.D. in urban sociology, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in cultural anthropology, I study and design urban policies for international organizations, including UNICEF, UNDP, UN-Habitat, FAO, and GIZ. My expertise covers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, and the western parts of the European Union.
My field of practice includes gender mainstreaming of infrastructure, design of urban strategies, sustainable urban development, and national social infrastructural programs.
My publications include Planning Egypt’s New Settlements: The Politics of Spatial Inequities (Oxford University Press and Cairo Papers) and Warring Democracies (GLACSO-CODESRIA- IDEAs). The Global Compendium of Land Value Capture (OECD) and Marginality and Exclusion in Egypt and the Middle East (Zed) among others
// Some of my international engagements include:
01 Design of Guidelines for Gender-Mainstreaming in Infrastructure Projects for the Participatory Infrastructure Program of the GIZ, Egypt -2019
02 Designing the Strategy for the Urban Development Cluster of the GIZ, Egypt – 2019
03 Financial Sustainability Project for Protected Areas in Egypt, UNDP- EEAA -2017/18
04 Socio-economic assessment and design of master plan for Ghargana Village, Nabq Protected Area, UNDP-EEAA, Egypt -2017
05 Drafting a road map for implementing UN-HABITAT III New Urban Agenda in Egypt, GIZ, Egypt – June – September 2017
06 Design and Implement the National Strategy for Social Protection, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 2017
Doha Ibrahim
Architect & Urbanist
Co-founder of Bureau Gladys, engages with multidisciplinary projects that concentrate on participatory design action inHistoric Cairo
Her work with local grassroots initiatives, and regional and international designers and partners has intensified her knowledge of Cairo’s complex urban ecology. Her current fellowship with the Prince Claus Funds focuses on investigating the possibilities of conserving collective memory using spatial practices. Her professional interests also expand into academia as she served as a teaching and research assistant for years
Lamia Bulbul
Gender Specialist
Lamia is a gender specialist with over 20 years of academic and professional experience in the area of gender and development in Egypt and the Middle East.
Her professional experience has been versatile and prolific in terms of positions held, projects conducted, and countries involved. In addition, she has a strong academic foundation in Sociology and social development. During her years of teaching, she taught several sociology courses, community development, an development. Previously, Lamia was the Managing Director of Law and Society Research Unit (LSRU) at AUC
YOMNA EL GENDY
M.Sc. in Arch & Building Tech
B.Sc in Architecture
Co-founder of Bureau Gladys, a joint venture for urban and architectural studies based in Egypt, and currently an assistant lecturer at the Architecture & Urban Design Department, the German University in Cairo – GUC
I have been an architect and urban researcher since 2015, with a master’s degree in architectural Engineering from the GUC. I have worked in the academic field for 8 years as a full-timer at the GUC and a part-timer at Nile University. I have extensive teaching experience in design studios specializing in pre-master design courses for Urban Design and Architecture majors. My research interests focus on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates various social studies of the built environment and urban development, intending to challenge the status quo and open new perspectives.
On account of being a part of a multi-diverse organization, I have curated two exhibitions from start to finish and was part of several others. My international engagements include a collaborative studio parallel between the GUC and the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, working in Accra, Ghana. Additionally, I, along with a teaching team, guided and supervised students in two international architectural competitions in Mumbai, India (ArchOutLoud 2018, Schindler Student Competition & Global Award 2019), where a group from each round received a top 10 project award.
