Mahmood Al-Wahaibi

Mahmood Humaiyid Hamed Al-Wahaibi Omani Born and American Raised Urban Planner, Philanthropist and Keynote speaker. Mahmood is an Oman-based Urban Planning Expert who aims to empower local communities in Oman and support the Al-Wahaibi tribe by carrying forward his father’s legacy. 
He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Oman Think Urban, Managing Director of Ruwi Group and made partner with Eynath Limited. Mahmood is best known as one of the youngest recognized planning experts, the youngest recognized Omani Professors in the field of Urban Planning, and a pioneer of Ethnographic Planning Methods in the Middle East.
He is also a Certified International Coach by International Business Driving License and a LEED Green Associate by US Green Building Council.
==Early life and education==
Mahmood Humaiyid Al-Wahaibi grew up in in Ruwi, the heart of Muscat. His father was one of the prominent figures of the Al-Wahaibi tribe that witnessed the urban transformation of Muscat after 1970 (The start of the Renaissance) and the changing urban landscape of Ruwi as the Central Business District (CBD). Therefore, Wahaibis were in the center of Oman’s Renaissance and the rapid urban development of the country as active participants as natural planners who discuss urban issues in their local Majlis (Local Gathering places for the tribe). 
Therefore, growing up in such Environment ingrained in Mahmood’s mind the importance of cities and urban planning since a young age. The loss of Mahmood’s father at a young age , Pushed Mahmood to embark on a knowledge-seeking journey to carry on his father’s legacy and follow his footsteps by attending top-univesities in United States and South Korea in the field of Urban Planning and strategic development. His Passion for Urban and regional planning has been further enhanced by taking different planning tasks in more than 27 nations across the globe. Mahmood’s research publications focus on Oman’s urban history, traditional planning practices, planning policies and governance, and post-oil economy. 
Al-Wahaibi,M has earned a double major in Urban Studies & Geography of City Systems and a double minor in GIS and Criminology from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, USA. He also possesses a specialized degree in International Relations from Yonsei University, South Korea and a master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
==Career==
Al-Wahaibi,M is the Co-Founder Oman Think Urban which aims to empower and help local communities in Oman in shaping a better future. He is also the Managing Director of Ruwi Group, Partner in Eynath Limited and a founding Board Member of Future Smart City Council. Mahmood is a member of the Global College of Engineering and Technology Advisory Board. He is a member of the American Planning Association as well.
During his stay in Minnesota, Al-Wahaibi,M worked mostly with NGOs such as Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, Do it Green! Minnesota and Citizens League. After graduating he started his professional journey with Douglas OHI as Business Development Manager. He was the organization's youngest senior manager, at the age of 26. Mahmood was a core team member at the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS) for nearly 5 years leading the infrastructure & energy team and reviewing national and regional strategies. He has also been a core team member of Oman's 10th five-year development plan. 
Academically, Al-Wahaibi,M is a faculty member at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Visiting Professor at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUTech) since 2018 making him one of the youngest professors in Oman. 
 
Mahmood is frequently invited to speak about the spatial implications of economic diversification in the Gulf Region at regional conferences such as Telecom Innovation Oman, eMobility Forum, and Middle East Rail Conference in Dubai and other international events
==Awards and Milestones==
Al-Wahaibi,M has bagged several accolades and certificates that include Karl B. Lohmann Award for Scholarly and professional Excellence., Global Goodwill Ambassador for Oman, and a certificate in leadership from Illinois Leadership Center. He is also a Certified International Coach by International Business Driving License and a LEED Green Associate by US Green Building Council. Mahmood has also made it to the dean list for 3 consecutive years at the University of Minnesota and is a selected member of the Golden Key International Honor Society.
==Personal life==
Al-Wahaibi,M is fluent in Arabic, English and Korean. 
==Research==
* Muscat City Vulnerability to Global Climate Change (2012)
* Gulf Women and Oil Wealth (2011)
* Mexico City: The Megacity (2011)
* Hurricane Katrina: Spatial Assessment of Damages and Racial Disparity (2012)
* Oil as Social Changer (2012)
* Al-Wahaibi, M. (2012). Gulf Women and Oil Wealth
* Al-Wahaibi, M. (2016). The Journey of Oman With Economic Diversification
* Al-Wahaibi, M. (2017). Horizontal Expansion Policy: Muscat The City of No Tall Wealth
* Al-Wahaibi, M. (2018). Oman Railway: Logistics Connectivity, Environmental Protection, Traffic Safety
* Al-Wahaibi, M (2019). Logistics Hubs in Oman and Political Uncertainty in the Gulf Contemporary Review of the Middle East, SAGE
==In the media==
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==References==
==External links==
* Official website
* Mahmood Al-Wahaibi on LinkedIn
Category:1988 births
Category:Living people
Category:American urban planners
Category:American philanthropists
Category:American keynote speakers
Category:American people of Omani descent