Nadia Nuseibeh

A Jordanian architect and urban planner who pioneered inclusive city design in the Middle East

Nadia Nuseibeh (b. 1929) was a visionary architect and educator who transformed urban planning in Jordan and the Arab world. Born in Jerusalem, she became the first Arab woman to earn a degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania (1953), later establishing the architecture department at Yarmouk University in Jordan. Her work emphasized community-centered design, integrating traditional building techniques with modern sustainability principles.

Nuseibeh's most notable project, the Amman Master Plan (1970s), balanced rapid urbanization with cultural preservation. She advocated for public spaces that fostered social cohesion, such as the Abdali New Downtown project. Her book Urban Design in Jordan (1985) remains a seminal text in regional planning. Nuseibeh also championed women's roles in architecture through her mentorship program, inspiring generations of female professionals.

Explore her projects at Yarmouk University or read her interviews at ArchDaily.