Supporting better built futures

We design sustainable cities

Habitat Unit is a sustainable urban development consultancy offering expertise across the intersections of architecture, urban design, landscape, and city planning. Our international team of experts work across topologies and topographies, with the aim of supporting development that fosters positive social impact and community well-being in the built environment. We apply a rigorous human-centered approach to our work with the aim of empowering citizens, residents, public and private organisations to realise their brightest potential.

Our people have experience working within world class architectural engineering firms and multilaterals such as the African Development Bank, UN-Habitat, Foster + Partners and the Norman Foster Foundation. It is our aim to further harness this experience for our clients and help catalyse positive social impact in the urban realm.

Recent Projects

*Mountain Communities - Central Asia

*Dubai Expo - Awarded contract for creative direction of a large international development agencys engagement in the event.

Recent Writings/Discussions/Appointments

Five Lessons for community-focused planning during a pandemic. - Published, @ World Economic Forum

*Academician, Academy of Urbanism UK

*Advisor on Habitat Planning, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat

*Invited Studio Critic, Oxford Brookes UK.

We can help across a range of key areas:

  • We deliver:

    • Public space & Mixed Use

    • Streetscape & urban design

    • Early activation & pilot housing projects

    • Behaviour and user experience analysis

    • Social Impact analysis

    • Urban technology consulting

  • We deliver:

    • Public realm strategy

    • Public space public life analysis and recommendations

    • Urban regeneration and densification strategy

    • Design guidelines, toolkits & policies

    • Leadership support and development

    • Organisational training and development

Project: Planning Mountain Communities

Sector: Masterplanning & Advisory

Region: Central Asia

Habitat Unit was selected as the lead consultant, advising on master planning for the world’s largest private international development agency. Critical support was given to the master planning capacity of mountain communities within Central Asia and the methodological process in urban planning and climate adaptation across the agency's portfolio of sustainable urban developments in multiple Central Asian nations.

Video & Editing: Diana Sarvari

Producer: Emadsho Akdodshoev

Cities today face unprecedented challenges stemming from ecological degradation, resource depletion, and the pressing need to adapt to a changing climate.

We leverage data insights to craft urban environments that are both sustainable and resilient. By seamlessly integrating green infrastructure, biodiversity enhancement, and climate-sensitive strategies, we create spaces that work in harmony with nature. Our vision is to build communities that not only withstand the impacts of climate change but thrive within their ecosystems, fostering a legacy of environmental stewardship and lasting resilience.

Harnessing Data for Climate Resilience

Global CO2 ppm Jan-March 2020.

Advocacy & Engagement

Sector: Strategy

Region: Middle East

During the 2020 Dubai Expo, Habitat Unit played a pivotal role in supporting a large international development agency by spearheading public engagement initiatives and managing the creation of all marketing materials. Leveraging the global platform of the Expo, the team developed dynamic strategies to effectively communicate the agency’s vision, ensuring that their message resonated with diverse audiences. From curating impactful visual content to facilitating interactive experiences, Habitat Unit’s approach emphasized collaboration and creativity, solidifying the agency’s presence on the world stage and enhancing its reputation as a leader in sustainable development.

Published Insights

“Apart from the vital need to ensure the health and security of communities, the pandemic has provided a moment to reassess the planning, development and organisation of the cities we inhabit, and for designers to reconsider tools and techniques aimed at supporting communities in need.

So how have designers continued to engage with communities? How have they improved their participatory planning tools? And what potential discoveries have been made?”

Written for the World Economic Forum in association with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat.

Listen to the article or read it on the World Economic Forum here

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HU?

“At Habitat Unit (HU), our approach to urbanism is deeply influenced by enduring principles of sustainability and inclusivity. These principles guide our every project, as we utilise advanced technologies and sustainable methodologies to address urban challenges thoughtfully. Our commitment is to craft spaces that not only enhance community well-being but also promote environmental stewardship.”

HU thought leaders

  • Abel Feleke

  • Samrawit Yohannes Yoseph

  • Director

    "Abel is an international expert in urban development, working to support positive outcomes in the built environment. Educated at the University of Oxford and a recipient of the 10th Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Award, Abel is recognised as an Academician by the Academy of Urbanism (UK), a Norman Foster Foundation Scholar, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper Alumni, Advisor to the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and currently serves as a Senior Design Advisor (Design Excellence) to the New South Wales Government Australia.

    With a strong interest in the future of cities, Abel has worked on significant projects in large-scale infrastructure, master planning and sustainable urban development projected to impact the lives of more than 285,000 people across a cumulative area in excess of 2,200 square kilometres. In 2022, he founded Habitat Unit, a consultancy focused on the intersection of cities, the built environment and climate adaptation."

    - 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲

  • Associate

    Samrawit is an Architect from Addis Ababa, she holds both an MSc in Human Settlements and Urbanism & Strategic Planning from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. An expert in urban design, city planning and architecture, Samrawit has extensive experience working in multilateral organisations such as UN Habitat and the African Development Bank’s Cities Program. Her work includes supporting Ethiopia’s flagship 69km green development ‘Beautifying Sheger’ River Development Project and developing implementation strategies for Hawassa City’s future growth. In addition she has supported the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) of the AfDB which aims to attract investment and ensure integrated development and enhanced planning. Samrawit together with an international multidisciplinary team most recently worked on the publication 'State of Addis Vol. II: Toward a healthier city' by UN-Habitat, written as the pandemic was unfolding. The report assesses the relationship between urban form and function in relation to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa.

Chat with us…

Latest News

  • Article - World Economic Forum

    Habitat Unit teams up with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and Incremental Urbanism…read more

  • The Academy of Urbanism (UK)

    Habitat Unit’s Abel Feleke becomes AoU Academician.

  • Connect with Habitat Unit!

  • abel feleke, business as unusua

    Business as Unusual

    Habitat Unit’s Abel Feleke invited to assist judging the Business as Unusual Competition.

  • Habitat Unit

    Habitat Unit welcomes new team member Architect Samrawit Yohannes Yoseph.

  • Urban Advisory

    Habitatunit New Urban Center Proposals