Hiba Bou Akar

About the Author

Hiba Bou Akar is an associate professor of urban studies at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she explores the intersections of urban planning, conflict, and social justice in the Middle East. Her research delves into how geopolitical tensions shape cities, particularly in post-conflict zones, drawing from her extensive fieldwork in Lebanon and beyond. With a PhD in urban planning from UC Berkeley, Bou Akar bridges academic rigor with on-the-ground insights, advocating for equitable urban futures amid ongoing crises. Her work has been featured in leading journals and she frequently contributes to public discourse on displacement and reconstruction. Through her scholarship, she illuminates the human costs of war and the potential for resilient, inclusive city-making.