Sanjay Tanwani, AECOM’s Urban Advisory is redefining how cities are planned.
As urban challenges become more complex from climate change to rapid technological disruption, cities can no longer afford to rely on traditional rigid masterplans. AECOM’s Urban Advisory, under the leadership of Sanjay Tanwani, Regional Director for the Middle East, is leading the shift toward planning cities as dynamic, responsive ecosystems.
“Cities are living ecosystems that shape us just as much as we shape them,” says Sanjay. “They must be designed not as static blueprints, but as adaptive organisms shaped by real-time data, evolving human needs, and flexible infrastructure.”
Leading with Vision, Delivering with Precision
AECOM’s Urban Advisory operates upstream from traditional design practices, working with public and private sector partners to guide long-term urban development. The team bridges strategic vision with actionable delivery by embedding resilience, data analytics, and cross-disciplinary expertise into every project.
Key initiatives include:
- Strategic Plan for a major city in KSA – Developed to address evolving demands through 2030 and beyond, this plan integrates economic, spatial, and infrastructure planning with emerging priorities like sustainability, digital transformation, and people-centric growth. The result: a roadmap that aligns hard systems with human aspirations.
- Transforming Urban Corridors – This regeneration strategy lays the foundation for one of the city’s most ambitious renewal efforts. By combining a robust transport plan, flexible real estate framework, and adaptable implementation pathways, AECOM’s Urban Advisory delivers a blueprint that is both visionary and executable.
Adaptive Planning
At the core of Urban Advisory’s methodology is a commitment to adaptability. The team leverages urban analytics, scenario modeling, and digital platforms to design cities that evolve alongside social, environmental, and technological shifts.
- Tempos of Change: Development strategies account for shifting demographics, economic patterns, and climate realities.
- Systems Thinking: Multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that urban challenges are tackled holistically, not in silos.
- Human-Centricity: Data-driven insights are used to anticipate and respond to the lived experiences of residents.
“We’re not designing for permanence,” says Sanjay. “We’re designing for change. That means building adaptability into the DNA of every plan.”
Placing People at the Center
While data and digital tools are crucial, Urban Advisory places a premium on inclusive engagement. Residents, policymakers, NGOs, and business leaders all play a role in shaping responsive, inclusive urban environments.
“Data must serve people,” Sanjay emphasizes. “It can help us predict trends and optimize performance, but it’s people’s needs and aspirations that give our work purpose.”
When people are placed at the center of planning, cities become healthier, more productive, and socially cohesive—with stronger economic outcomes and improved national wellbeing.
Challenges and Opportunities
Urban transformation in the Middle East presents a unique set of constraints and prospects:
Challenges:
- Car-centric planning and sprawling development
- Dominance of single-family housing despite changing family dynamics
- Harsh climate limiting walkability during warmer months
Opportunities:
- Surging investment in infrastructure and innovation, especially in Saudi Arabia
- Social shifts led by a young, digitally connected population
- Global attention from upcoming mega-events like Expo, the World Cup, and Winter Games
Quick Wins:
- Activate centrally located land with clear economic incentives
- Build on momentum from existing flagship projects
- Leverage evolving lifestyle trends to deliver more human-centered developments
“The cities that last are those that adapt,” Sanjay concludes. “It’s an old truth—just one we can’t afford to forget.”
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