In conversation with Noha Nasser, an architect, urban designer and bridging cultures expert

Please note that this article was published prior to the new brand name of PREACH Inclusion® on 25 April 2024, so you will notice references to BAME in Property.

We are thrilled to bring you our next interview with the fascinating Noha Nasser, an architect, founder of a social enterprise and brigding cultures expert. Having lived and worked in multiple countries throughout her life, diverse cultures have shaped Noha's thinking and ultimately fuelled her current focus with her social enterprise. For Noha, 'co-design' and 'place-making' are more than just buzzwords, they are an integral part of creating flourishing communities. Here Noha shares with us her inspiring journey, which ultimately influenced her debut book, Bridging Cultures: A guide to social innovation in cosmopolitan cities.

1. Let's start from the beginning! Tell us about you, your upbringing and how you got to where you are today.

Well, I was born in London to Egyptian parents, both architects. I grew up in London in the 1970s when racism was rife. Luckily, I didn’t experience racism first hand but a few of my South Asian friends did. I learnt at an early age to bridge cultures, keeping my networks and friendships open. The bridging cultures strategies stayed with me all my life and influenced my work. I lived in London until I was 12 and then we moved to Egypt where I had to bridge cultures all over again. I graduated from Cairo University top of my class with a BSc in Architectural Engineering but my real passion was urban design.

I was only 21 when I moved again, this time first to Saudi Arabia for two years and then Japan for four. Even here, more bridging culture strategies were needed to integrate as much as possible into these contexts.

I began my MPhil/PhD in the intersection of culture and urban design at Birmingham School of Architecture shortly after graduating so I was traveling (and settling), doing a PhD, working and bringing up a young family all at once.

" I grew up in London in the 1970s when racism was rife. Luckily, I didn’t experience racism first hand but a few of my South Asian friends did. I learnt at an early age to bridge cultures, keeping my networks and friendships open. The bridging cultures strategies stayed with me all my life and influenced my work."

I finally settled back in the UK in 1996 where I moved around again, living in London, Liverpool and finally settling in Birmingham for 11 years where I launched my career and post-doctoral studies.

I was fortunate enough to become Course Director shaping the new MA Urban Design course. It was a dynamic programme that went beyond an ordinary Masters to involve local practitioners in CPD, an annual conference, and engagement with local diverse communities in shaping urban regeneration areas in the West Midlands.

My research supported the course by focusing on social inclusion in public spaces, genuine community co-design and engagement and recording of post-colonial South Asian urban transformations in large industrial cities in the UK. In fact, I ran a number of international conferences while on post-doctoral scholarships at University of California Berkeley, and University of South Australia on Muslims in the contemporary Western City.

I went part-time in academia in 2012. I started my own business in 2015, MELA, that pulled together my passions of social cohesion, cultural diversity and the democratic promise of public spaces.

"In my own work, I always start with understanding who makes up the place; what cultures? What social groups? Who is empowered? And who needs some further assistance to become involved?"

2. Why is cultural diversity so important? Can you share any examples of where you've incorporated this into your work?

We know that statistically we are living in an increasingly globalised and culturally diverse world. This is down to a number of factors including the movement of people, the higher birth rate of some cultures, and lower birth rates in many European, North American and Scandinavian countries. So, we can’t ignore the fact that we will be seeing more and more unfamiliar faces in our neighbourhoods. At the same time, we are moving further right politically, leaving many places more segregated than ever. That is why we have to seriously consider how we are engaging people and design places that promote intercultural exchange.

In my own work, I always start with understanding who makes up the place; what cultures? What social groups? Who is empowered? And who needs some further assistance to become involved? This can only happen when you are immersed in a place for days and weeks on end, walking the streets, talking to people. From there I build the project around what people need or want that would bring them together more, and benefit the place socially, economically and physically. I have done this work primarily in Birmingham where my networks are strong in places like Balsall Heath, Handsworth and Aston.

3. Your book 'Bridging Cultures' sounds fascinating? Tell us more about this and what has the response been?

Bridging Cultures: A guide to social innovation in cosmopolitan cities is like a manifesto which explores practical ways to build bridging capital; the cross-cultural networks that help build trust, resilience, and collaboration, using public spaces as the space of encounter. The book makes the case that social interactions are key to building social cohesion and breaking down stereotypes. Several socially innovative case studies from around the world showcase best practice with simple techniques – many based on temporary spaces in which the range of activities build those important social bonds.

"Setting up MELA was my way of introducing how to think about place"

Besides the manifesto aspects of the book, Bridging Cultures Roundtables have become a methodology in engaging with cities to co-produce an action plan. The public sector often leads the conversation and the private, voluntary community, creative and social enterprise sectors are invited to the table to identify together the challenges facing the city in bridging its cultures and creating inclusive spaces. Together they proceed to hear ideas from each other and arrive to solutions that they plan to develop in the short, medium and long term. The Bridging Cultures Roundtables have been endorsed by Council Leaders and Mayors in several cities including Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Camden in London, Odessa in the Ukraine, and Limassol in Cyprus. The methodology has also been adopted by the Council of Europe Intercultural Cities Network, of which I am an expert on public space.

4. What is MELA? How and why did you start this?

MELA started after the publication of my first book. Setting up MELA was my way of introducing how to think about place, starting with the building of social networks and activities that happen, then thinking how these can be strengthened in designing and curating public spaces. I felt it was a gap in urban design and the built environment practices.

5. Co-design seems like the ultimate buzzword, everyone loves to throw it in but how do you truly achieve this?

"In co-design, power is either equally shared or even better is led by local people, enabled by those in power to become stewards of their place."

Co-design is fundamentally about collaboration between those with local knowledge (the community in its broadest representation) and those with the technical skills to develop solutions (such as the architects, master planners, planners, and surveyors). To achieve true collaboration, it has to be about sharing power. Ordinarily the Local Authority, the Government, Developer, Investor and their technical consultants have the most power in shaping places. But in co-design, this power is either equally shared or even better is led by local people, enabled by those in power to become stewards of their place.

6. Finally, on a more personal note, tell us about your love for walking and nature. What solace has this give you during the pandemic?

It has been invaluable to maintain physical and mental health during these testing times. I run a group called Hiking Lovers and throughout the pandemic we would set a monthly date, time and theme to explore our local area. We then would share photos and reflections in real time, as if we were together. We had people all over the UK and our themes included trees, views, wildlife, bluebells and flowers, and skies. In fact, I wrote a blog with some of the Hiking Lovers in the form of haikus. You can find them here.