Mazin Al-Saffar

Dr. Mazin Al-Saffar is a Lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism at the Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University. With a PhD in Architecture and Urban Design from Manchester School of Architecture (2018), he brings extensive interdisciplinary expertise spanning Architecture, Conservation, Future Cities, Urban Futures, Sustainability, and Smart Urban Heritage.

His educational background includes:

• PGCert, Learning & Teaching in HE, MMU (2019)
• PhD, Architecture and Urban Design, Manchester School of Architecture (2018)
• MPhil Architecture and Urban Design, Manchester School of Architecture (2015)
• M.Sc. Urban Design, Higher Institute of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Baghdad (2007)
• B.Sc. Architecture, Architectural Engineering Department, University of Baghdad (1998)

Dr. Al-Saffar's research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to architecture, smart cities, urban conservation, and sustainable urban development. His work addresses complex urban issues such as improving sustainable urbanism, solving problems of unsustainable geographical expansion, and enhancing resource efficiency in urban environments. He employs diverse research methodologies, integrating qualitative, quantitative, and multi-strategy approaches to examine urban systems and heritage conservation. His current research explores the intersection between heritage conservation and smart urban technologies, investigating how advanced technologies can be integrated to minimize environmental impacts in heritage cities while improving quality of life.

His publications demonstrate consistent expertise in sustainable urban heritage, with a particular focus on Baghdad's historic centers. His work spans urban transformation processes, smart sustainable urban frameworks, and the integration of technology in urban regeneration. The research shows a clear trajectory from studying Baghdad's urban history and transformation to developing integrated frameworks for sustainable heritage management in the digital age.

Among his notable achievements:

• PhD Scholarship from The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Baghdad, Iraq (2014-2018)
• M.Sc. Distinction Award from Higher Institute of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Baghdad (2007)
• B.Sc. Distinction Award from Architectural Engineering Department, University of Baghdad (1998)
• Peer-reviewer and member of the Charrette Editorial Committee (ISSN 2054-6718) since 2024
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2019

Dr. Al-Saffar has significant teaching experience, currently leading undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Architecture and Urbanism at Manchester School of Architecture. He has supervised numerous MA Architecture & Urbanism students and has led workshops on research methods, dissertation writing, and specialized topics including Future Cities and Urban Heritage. Prior to his position at Manchester, he served as a Lecturer at the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Technology in Iraq (2009-2013) and worked as a Senior Architect in Baghdad and Dubai for 14 years.

His professional engagement includes membership in the Best Architecture Masters Ranking organization and the Iraqi Engineers Union. He has also participated in collaborative research projects, including "Large Data Architectural Research: Mapping Baghdad 1956-2016" at Manchester School of Architecture in 2016.