Saira Ali, Team Leader of our Landscape, Design and Conservation Team has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford in recognition of her work on the environment, climate change and the promotion of greener healthier communities.
Saira, who has already received a number of awards for her work, said: “I feel I am accepting this honour on behalf of Bradford Council’s Landscape, Design and Conservation Team, as well as myself. To be recognised by the university for our contribution to our industry and our community is a real honour and I am extremely grateful. It’s a massive privilege to join the ranks of incredible people who have been honoured in this way before me.
University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: “Saira is an award-winning landscape architect who recognises the importance of working with communities to create sustainable landscape design. Her emphasis on the environment, climate change and the promotion of greener healthier communities is something that chimes with the university’s own values and vision. We’re also very mindful that students often look for role models, and Saira has proved that hard work and dedication pay off.”
Kersten England, Chief Executive, said: “The honour Saira has received shows how her dedication to landscape architecture has brought international recognition of the work we are doing in Bradford. Almost everyone across the Bradford District will have seen the impact of her work. Whether through the dressing of the District for the Tour de Yorkshire, the specially cultivated trees which line ‘The Grove’ in Ilkley, the proliferation of ‘parklets’ allowing businesses to trade outside or the plans for rewilding and biodiversity along Canal Boad and the Bradford Beck.”
Saira, who grew up in Bradford, studied Landscape Architecture at Leeds Metropolitan University and has worked for landscape design practices Barton Willmore (now Stantec), Chris Blandford Associates and David Huskisson Associates, before coming to Bradford Council.
Saira has led or worked collaboratively with a number of other organisations on a wide range of projects. She was the project lead for Bradford’s team in the URBACT Healthy Cities Action Planning Network, and on the current LIFE CRITICAL climate change mitigation project at Horton Park. These EU projects have brought Bradford’s knowledge and experience to a wider audience. Her team also supports the delivery of Better Start Bradford and Join Us: Move Play, working with partners on the link between the quality of outdoor space and our communities leading healthier lifestyles.
Saira has also secured additional external funding for the Council to help deliver of blue (water-related, such as ponds and drainage) and green (such as trees and plants) infrastructure projects. These include the Top of Town Public Realm Improvement Scheme and the Naturalising Bradford Beck project which will improve flood resilience and biodiversity at Shipley Fields.
She will also play a role in the regeneration projects to be funded by the recently announced Towns Fund Grants for Keighley and Shipley.
In addition, she is a strong advocate for encouraging more women and people from diverse communities into the landscape design profession.
Jane Findlay, Immediate Past President of the Landscape Institute, said “I’m delighted that Saira has been recognised, receiving such a special honour at a time when the landscape sector needs role models. With leaders like Saira, we can create and greatly improve the environment and places that allow everyone to thrive.”
Saira received her honour at a ceremony held last week at the university.
