Fatima Hamdani is a graduate student at Harvard Graduate School of Design, pursuing a Master of Design Studies with a focus on Ecologies. Her research investigates the socio-cultural and historical dynamics of urban spaces in South Asia, particularly focusing on Karachi, Pakistan. Her current project examines the interconnectedness of coastal cities and communities in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing Karachi’s historical, cultural, and economic networks.
Fatima’s research challenges nationalist and isolationist perspectives by analyzing resilience and continuities within historical and ethnographic studies. She aims to provide a nuanced understanding of human experiences across regions and time periods, with a focus on urban place-making and identity formation in post-colonial South Asia.
Fatima is committed to using her graduate studies to enhance her understanding of improving civic systems for marginalized communities. She pursued her BSc (Hons) in Social Development and Policy from Habib University, where she focused on design research studying the importance of play/play areas for children in low-income settlements in Karachi’s Machar Colony. She actively engages in discourse on sustainability, climate change, and resilience, seeking to advance her research by working with minority communities affected by climate change globally.
