This talk was hosted by the Department of Architecture at the University of Cambridge on the 23rd of February 2022.

Abstract of the Talk

We always flee from cities and go far to nature. But how do we re-invent that urban escaping and grow more nature in the heart of the city? Our ‘new’ role as designers is to create conditions conducive to ‘other’ life, not just that of the human species, but the whole biosphere. What if we can enable the native plants, birds, insects and fungi to reclaim their rightful place as well?
We will explore theOtherDada’s trajectory from an environmental architecture firm building habitat for humans, to a regenerative consultancy working on master planning projects, transitioning into forest-making to provide habitat for wildlife in urban areas.

Speaker's Bio

Adib Dada is the founder of theOtherDada [tOD] Regenerative Consultancy & Architecture firm, with the mission of activating projects across architecture, living systems, and art. Based on Biomimicry thinking, tOD’s work promotes a symbiotic relationship between nature and the built environment by exploring new ways of creating generous and regenerative buildings; in essence working with nature to develop resilient and generous cities. Adib earned a BA in Architecture at the American University of Beirut - Lebanon, a Master’s Degree in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU – USA, a Biomimicry graduate certificate from the Biomimicry Institute and Arizona State University, and a certificate in Ecosystem Restoration Design. Adib has been recognized in Apollo Magazine's 40 Under 40 as a Patron of the Arts in the Middle East, and was listed as one of GOOD Magazine’s GOOD 100 for his project Beirut RiverLESS, which aims to regenerate the deteriorated Beirut River. Adib is a Fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a Bio-Leadership Fellow, a community helping transform human systems and the paradigm of leadership by working with nature. Adib is firmly committed to the UN Decade of Action, engaged on rewilding the city and reclaiming public space by planting native Miyawaki forests in urban landfills through his new initiative: theOtherForest, a nature-based tool for ecological and social regeneration.

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