Wafa Alghatam

Dr. Wafa Alghatam is Assistant Professor of Architecture and Director of the Urban and Housing Lab at the University of Bahrain. Her research explores socio-spatial dynamics of urban transformation, with a focus on urban villages and spatial-social relations. She currently leads Colouring Bahrain Cities with the Alan Turing Institute, addressing urban equity through data-driven analysis. Her work has gained international recognition, including First Prize in a 2023 German urban design competition and the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, where Bahrain’s _Heatwave_Pavilion introduced the concept of “thermal commons” for climate-responsive public space. Dr. Alghatam advises the King Charles Foundation on Sustainable Urbanism, contributes to Bahrain’s Prime Minister’s Fellowship Program, and previously worked with Space Syntax in London on Jeddah’s strategic planning. Bridging theory and practice, her work advances sustainable, equitable approaches to urban development.