Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim is a distinguished urban planner and disaster-risk management professional with more than 34 years of practice, including over 17 years in senior leadership roles on large, internationally funded projects. His career spans the full spectrum of city and regional development—master plans, transport systems, smart city strategies, and climate-resilient urban design—anchored by a commitment to sustainability and evidence-based policy.

As Director of Planning & Coordination for the $250 million World Bank–funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project, Hakim led multi-hazard risk assessments, created Jammu & Kashmir’s first disaster-risk database, and oversaw upgrades to building codes and early-warning systems. He also managed a $50 million emergency COVID-19 response under the same project, demonstrating agility in crisis management and institutional strengthening.

Earlier, as Chief Town Planner for the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, he pioneered GIS-based master planning across the state, delivering more than 30 master plans—including for Srinagar, Jammu, and key tourism destinations—along with comprehensive mobility plans and town planning schemes. His policy work shaped the J&K Unified Building Bye-Laws 2021 and the Housing & Affordable Housing Policy 2020, setting new benchmarks for resilient urban growth.

Hakim’s academic foundation includes a Master’s in Urban Planning from UCLA, a Master’s in Transport Planning from SPA New Delhi (Gold Medallist), and a Civil Engineering degree from NIT Srinagar. A Ford Foundation Fellow and accomplished speaker, he has presented internationally on urban flooding, climate change adaptation, and hill-area planning. Through strategic consultancy, rigorous technical skills, and visionary leadership, he continues to guide governments and development partners toward cities that are livable, inclusive, and resilient.