AMPFIELD-based Pro Vision has expanded its planning, architecture and urban design consultancy with a key appointment.

Dr Hatem Nabih has taken up a new post of strategic master planner and urban designer.

Joining as an associate director and head of urban design, Hatem specialises in preparation of masterplans for residential, leisure, commercial and multi-use development, planning statements and urban assessments.

“We are delighted to have Nabih join our team. With 18 years’ experience in urban design consultancy and teaching, he brings a wealth of professional and academic knowledge to the firm,” said Scot Masker, director of Pro Vision which has offices in Ampfield and Newbury.

Hatem, who lives in Chandler's Ford, joins Pro Vision from Winchester City Council where he spent nearly two years as urban design and sustainability officer.

He was involved in strategic projects and major development areas, including the new community of 3,000 homes at West of Waterlooville.

Prior to that, he worked as an urban design advisor for the Design Council CABE, previously Commission for Architecture and Built Environment, who deliver independent and expert design consultation to professionals and local authorities. He provided planning and design guidance on master plans for mixed use schemes in London, Birmingham, Brighton and Thurrock.

During his career, Hatem has also worked in the Middle East. His experience includes delivering the Third Kuwait Masterplan (2005) for the future urban extension of Kuwait, regeneration strategies for Kuwait City and developing an award-winning masterplan for Madinaty, a new city on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, providing 120,000 dwellings for 600,000 people.

A Fulbright Scholar, Hatem graduated with a BSc Architecture (first class) from Benha University, in Cairo, Egypt, before achieving a PhD in Urban Studies at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

He also holds an MA in Planning and Sustainability from Kingston University. Hatem has taught at accredited architectural colleges at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including University of Michigan where he was a Fulbright Visiting Professor, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Helwan University and Cairo University.

Hatem spent his early childhood in Scotland. He said: “I had always seen myself as an architect but after my PhD, my career jumped into large-scale master planning. I have been involved in city-scale master planning for big cities, but I am really looking forward to working on a more diverse range of projects at Pro Vision.

“It’s about designing high quality environments to enhance people’s lives whether it is residential, commercial or mixed use.”