About 

Hi, I'm Lama!

With over nine years of experience as a Landscape Architect and Urbanist, I draw inspiration from the resilience of communities and nature to navigate rapidly changing environments. As a Palestinian-Jordanian-American, my design approach focuses on healing both land and people across borders, infusing spaces with narratives of resilience, hope, and joy.

This ethos is reflected in my work, which ranges from transforming neglected urban sites into celebrated public spaces, to restoring and conserving cultural heritage sites at risk of loss, and supporting initiatives in youth development, sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, and public art. My professional journey includes valuable experiences at AECOM, a global firm committed to sustainable development, and GGN, a landscape architecture studio known for its innovative designs that prioritize ecological restoration.

I also teach landscape architecture and work as a design and research consultant, while pursuing residencies that explore ancestral knowledge, particularly in agriculture and craft. Inspired by my Palestinian farmer ancestors, I seek to deepen my understanding of how to nurture the land while building creative partnerships that promote ethical, sustainable relationships with nature. My work is centered on empowerment and connection in a world where issues of ownership and belonging are increasingly complex.

Recently, I gave a presentation at Afikra about my village, Battir, exploring its rich farming history and unique forms of resistance and occupation. I completed a permaculture design course in Portugal, collaborating with creatives to learn sustainable farming techniques, and worked with friends in Sardinia to help preserve ancient agricultural practices in a village on the brink of extinction. These experiences fuel my passion for exploring the resilience of communities and nature in politically and environmentally fragile landscapes, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

Baladi Creative is my platform for sharing collaborative research and reflections on these themes, revealing the stories that connect us to our heritage and one another. Through this work, I hope to inspire new ways of understanding "home," resilience, and the intricate relationships between culture and land.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech. Currently, I am an Adjunct Lecturer at the College of Architecture at City College of New York and work as a Landscape Design Associate and Researcher with Rock Design Associates and Goffin Gardens. I am based in Washington, DC, and Amman, Jordan.