Halit Hajbakri

DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development

Thesis

Social Media vs. Smart Cities: Harmonizing Capitalist and Socialist Ideals in Sustainable Urban Development

Research abstract

This research examines the intersection of social media and smart city technologies as critical frameworks for addressing socio-economic inequalities in urban development. As contemporary societies grapple with a multitude of crises—exacerbated by climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions—traditional governance structures face unprecedented challenges. This study posits that the integration of social media platforms can serve as a catalyst for social movements and community engagement, enabling marginalized voices to challenge dominant narratives perpetuated by neoliberal urban development practices. Conversely, the implementation of smart city technologies has often prioritized efficiency and control over inclusivity and equity, contributing to the widening gap between affluent and disadvantaged communities.

Supervisor(s)

Dr. Nigel Mehdi

https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/profiles/nigel-mehdi 

Dr. Pedro Marques 

https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/profiles/pedro-marques

Biography

Halit began his DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford in October 2024. Halit’s research aims to enhance urban resilience in the digital age through just development and community engagement. 

Prior to that, he graduated with a Master’s of Science with Distinction in Urban Planning from the University of Birmingham, an MBA from the Syrian Virtual University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Aleppo.

Halit is an award-winning RIBA Chartered architect and urban planning professional. His journey in the field has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, covering a diverse spectrum of projects including residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare, transport, and hospitality developments.

Publications

Papers and lectures

Hajbakri, H. (2022). Urbanists in Action, Cities Reborn. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31484.96641

Research interests

Sustainable Urban Development, Smart Cities, Social Media, Urban Governance, Citizen Engagement, Social Equity, Community Resilience, Urban Justice