Hi everyone! I’m Rahaf, a PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh working with Dr. Melissa Bilec. I was drawn to cities because they are complex, imperfect systems that somehow keep moving. My research explores the evolving, two-way relationship between buildings and climate change: buildings contribute to emissions, while a changing climate continuously reshapes their needs and environmental impacts. I use dynamic life-cycle assessment to understand these interactions and improve long-term emissions predictions. I’m finishing my PhD this year and am always happy to connect with others working on similar urban sustainability challenges!"
Rahaf's main research/work interest areas:
Dynamic and prospective life-cycle assessment
Urban building stocks under climate change
Grid decarbonization and evolving energy demand
LCA of climate-resilient urban solutions
Infrastructure materials, circularity, and end-of-life impacts
Rahaf's favorite cities and why:
Cairo and Istanbul. I love Cairo for its beautiful chaos; nothing seems like it should work, yet somehow it does. The lively streets, late nights, souks, mosques and churches, and people gathering to sing and dance make the city feel incredibly alive. Istanbul feels magical in a different way: its bridges, ferries, music, and breathtaking views turn an ordinary commute into an experience, while its layers of history make every corner feel meaningful.
Any collaboration interests you'd like to share with SUS members?
I’m interested in collaborations that move beyond static LCA by accounting for changing climate conditions, energy systems, building stocks, and human decisions. I’m also always excited to apply LCA to new creative solutions for more sustainable and resilient cities.
