Associate Professor

Tawab Hlimi is an Associate Professor at SAPL and landscape architect whose work predominantly addresses environmental issues in the fields of ecology, infrastructure, and urbanism. However, he is increasingly focusing on the intersection of environmental and social justice, recognizing the deep connections between these areas. Hlimi’s research challenges and expands the traditional boundaries of landscape architecture to incorporate broader social justice concerns and a consideration of the complex political nature of engaging with these topics. He seeks to subvert and disrupt systems through design, research, and teaching. As a leader and mentor, he inspires, guides, and supports students in navigating systems of social injustice.

Social justice is an issue that factors into Hlimi’s work through both academic and personal dimensions. As a minority in a position of leadership, he has “experienced both aspects, both privilege and also marginalization.” This led to an increasing awareness of the issues around him, many of which have a racial dimension. Hlimi believes that the school has a responsibility to address these issues and has been using his position as a mentor and role model to have a positive impact. 

Hlimi fosters a learning environment where students are encouraged to reflect on their own values and how these influence their work: “I feel like there’s almost a responsibility for teachers to integrate aspects of humanistic approaches to design into the curriculum.” He plans to continue mentoring students and integrating explorations of oppressive systems into the curriculum, inspiring the next generation of landscape architects to consider social justice in their work.

Tawab Hlimi CV

<< Back to Faculty