Shahab Albahar

Planning Liminalities: Mapping Black Trans Spaces in Washington, D.C., - An Ethnographic Study

Shahab Albahar is a scholar and practitioner with a critical, intersectional approach that spans urban policy, environmental design, ecological restoration, and social advocacy. His doctoral research at UVA, titled "Planning Liminalities: Mapping Black Trans Spaces in Washington, D.C.," provides a nuanced examination of urban spaces through the lens of queer ethnography. The dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of Black transgender women in Washington, D.C., particularly around a significant locale known as the Stroll, where community formation and sexual labor intersect. Albahar's work explores how these liminal spaces are constructed, negotiated, and reclaimed within stringent urban planning paradigms, emphasizing the multifaceted experiences of these marginalized communities often overlooked in urban studies. His study advocates for more inclusive and intersectional approaches in future planning practices, aiming to bridge the gap between urban theory and practical interventions.

Since earning his Ph.D. in Urban and Environmental Planning, Albahar has shifted his focus toward educational outreach and design. He consults with the National Weather Service's Office of Water Prediction, supporting its mission to disseminate flood inundation mapping services for a climate-resilient nation. Additionally, as an associate landscape designer with Rock Design Associates, he engages in critical rehabilitative ecological projects, including the design of wildlife crossings. His multifaceted approach combines theory with practice, aiming to advance sustainable urbanism and environmental restoration in an increasingly complex world.

Committee:

Primary Advisor: Jessica E. Sewell, Ph.D. (2021-present) Chair member since 2019.

Former Primary Advisor (now external chair member): Ellen M. Bassett, Ph.D. (2017-2021)

Chair: Fiona R. Greenland, Ph.D. (2019-present)

Chair: Kwame E. Out, Ph.D. (2019-present)

Former Education:

Harvard University; Master of Landscape Architecture (2015)

Rhode Island School of Design; Bachelor of Architecture (2012)

Rhode Island School of Design; Bachelor of Fine Arts (2012)