Wadha Almutawa is a PhD Candidate in History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation, titled, “The Child in the City: Play, Architecture, and Urbanism in Modern Kuwait, 1960-1980,”examines the role of the 'urban childhood' in the modern city. Through her dissertation, Wadha aims to highlight the importance progressive ideas about urbanism had in the design and planning of modern schools, playgrounds, and Kindergarten Community Units in modern Kuwait for understanding how best to create environments that encourage social engagements and child play in 21stcentury Kuwait. The research provides a platform for reimagining neighborhood units with the child as the main protagonist.
Wadha received her professional Bachelor of Architecture from Kuwait University in 2015 and a Master of Architecture from Kansas State University 2018.