Wafa al-Daily

About Wafa al-Daily

A visionary and highly accomplished leader with over two decades of driving transformative change at the nexus of international development, urban resilience, and sustainable governance. I excel at mobilizing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across fragile and rapidly urbanizing contexts, consistently applying a bold, strategic approach to shape future-ready cities and communities.I possess a proven track record in leading high-level policy and planning, seamlessly aligning global goals with local realities through deep technical expertise and astute political acumen. My leadership builds decisive consensus in high-stakes environments, guiding diverse teams through pressing urban challenges from crisis response to long-term institutional reform.Specializing in urban resilience & antifragility, metropolitan diplomacy, crisis governance, strategic urban planning, and inclusive development, I bring a forward-thinking lens to urbanization, climate, technology, and equity, always committed to advancing the SDGs. Grounded in evidence-based strategies and inclusive governance, I reimagine urban systems to be just, adaptive, and future-proof, driven by a commitment to elevating voices and delivering sustainable impact.

Experience

1. Assistant Professor

   Sana\'a University

   Jun 2013 — Present

   I serve as an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering at Sana’a University, where I lead academic instruction, research, and student mentorship in urban planning and development. My work focuses on urban recovery, sustainable development, and post-conflict reconstruction, with a particular emphasis on Yemen’s evolving urban landscape. I supervise graduate theses and mentor capstone projects that explore innovative, context-driven solutions to urban fragility and rebuilding efforts. I design and teach a broad range of courses, including urban planning, smart cities, AI applications in urbanism, sustainability, planning theory, and research methods. I also develop specialized curricula in urban design, architectural principles, and historic site rehabilitation. My research integrates field-based studies on infrastructure, urban expansion, and recovery strategies, contributing practical insights to Yemen’s planning sector and informing long-term development policies.

Education

• Urban95, ARUP, and Van Leer Foundation

  Certificate , Proximity of Care Masterclass

• Virginia Tech

  Graduate Certificate, Preparing Future Professoriate Certificate

  2008

• Virginia Tech

  Professional Certificate, Leadership Excellence Certificate

  2017

• Virginia Tech

  Certificate , Data Analytics

• Sana'a University, College of Engineering

  B.Sc., Architectural Engineering

  1991 — 1996

• Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

  Master's degree, City and Regional Studies

• Virginia Tech

  Professional Certificate, Intergroup Dialogue and Human Relations

  2017 — 2017

• Virginia Tech

  Professional Certificate, Office Software Excellence Certificate

  2016

• Virginia Tech

  PhD, Planning, Governance, and International Development

  2007 — 2013

• KAI Distribution Center

  Certification , KAI Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (Team Building, Cognitive Style, and Problem Solving)

  2018 — 2024

• International Metropolitan Fellowship

  Certificate, Metropolitan Discipline Inception

  2022 — 2022

• NAFSA Academy

  Certificate, International Education