Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Dr. Zahran received his B. Sc. in architecture cum laude at Ein Shams University in Cairo in 1958.

He continued his education in the United States, receiving a master's degree in architecture and urban design from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston in 1961, a master degree in Fine Arts from Princeton University in 1963, and finally a Ph.D. in Environmental planning at Princeton University in 1965.

He also received a TBTT certificate for remarkable engineering studies there, the following year he became a fellow for the Salzburg Seminars (1981); and a Fulbright fellow (1986).

Dr. Zahran was appointed to Alexandria University, Faculty of engineer, department of architecture, in 1965, and is now Emeritus professor.

He was department head from 1994 to 1998. Dr. Zahran was seconded as professor at Beirut Arab University and became Dean of the Faculty of Architecture from 1978-1982.
Dr. Zahran has been active in the comprehensive planning and urban development of greater Alexandria. He was Chairman of the Urban Planning Commission of the Governorate from 1983 to 2000, and responsible of the comprehensive Master Plan for Alexandria 2005, and supervised it is updating to 2017. He was also responsible for the design and supervision of the execution of the Alexandria International Gardens. He performed al these public service gratis.

At the international professional level, Dr. Zahran has contributed to many international projects as an Expert and Consultant, especially to various United Nations organs like UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP, UNCHS , UNICEF, ECUA, ESCWA, UNCHBP. His work has earned him many international and local honorable prizes. Besides this, he has also been a member of many international and local juries for architectural and urban development competitions. He has authored many book on architecture and urban planning in both Arabic and English.

PROFESSIONALY, Dr. Zahran has received many national and international awards in honor of his achievements, including the Medal of Distinction of the First Order from Egypt for his work on Alexandria Planning, as well as the French "Legion d'Honour" for his work on the Bibliotheca Alexandria Project. He is a member of several professional and civic associations.

PROFESSIONALY, being appointed as advisor to the president of Alexandria University for the revival of the Ancient Library of Alexandria Project

He has also overseen the library services, including building up of the collections, contacts with organizations, institutions in Egypt and abroad. He has ensured that the training of the librarians and other human resources are carried out in parallel with international standards by training in-house and abroad through scholarships etc...

The total international financial support raised with his effort has amounted to about US$ 31.5 million