Visibility & thought leadership strategies

Maite Peris

Communications Strategist for Urban Projects

Based in Spain

Seasoned Communications and Citizen Engagement professional with 15 years of experience adept at elucidating urban policies for organizations through innovative means. Successfully spearheaded the implementation of +200 urban projects spanning sustainability, mobility, urban planning, architecture and urban services, including infrastructures, waste management, parks, beaches, energy and air quality. Proven expertise encompassing marketing, PR, Media Relations, Branding and Social Media, with a keen focus on nurturing Stakeholder Relations. Recognized for the ability to distill intricate information into clear, compelling narratives. Demonstrated leadership in overseeing teams exceeding 40 members

Jaime Ruiz Huescar

Co-founder of CITIES FORUM

Based in Spain

Jaime is the Co-Founder of CITIES FORUM and Director of its branches in Spain and Colombia. CITIES FORUM is an international firm and think tank comprised of experts in sustainable urban development and smart cities, with presence and projects in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. He was the Smart City project coordinator and was in charge of electric mobility at the Murcia City Council in Spain, where he led one of the working groups of the RECI, the Spanish network of smart cities. Jaime is leading various international projects of CITIES FORUM in the field of sustainable urban mobility, aimed at providing advice, training, and technical support to governments and cities worldwide in collaboration with funding organizations such as the World Bank, the IDB, or the GIZ. Jaime is an expert evaluator of electric mobility projects for the European Commission and has been a juror for several international awards like the "European CIVITAS AWARDS." Jaime has a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and a Technical Architecture degree from the Catholic University San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM). He has completed training programs at business schools such as IESE and the University of Oxford. Jaime Ruiz has been a speaker at over 50 international events related to smart cities and sustainable urban mobility since 2018 to the present, in addition to being the master of ceremonies at five editions of the Latam Mobility Summit held in Mexico, Medellín, and Santiago de Chile. Jaime was also recognized as a Top Transportation Planning Voice on LinkedIn.

ILEKTRA PAPADAKI

Senior Expert UN and EU systems. Former Team Leader at the European Commission

Based in Greece

I advise policy makers of international organizations, national and local governments how to turn complex urban and environmental challenges into actionable strategies, implement and monitor them.With a decade of experience in EU and UN systems, I specialize in policy design, strategy setting, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and building high-impact partnerships. I also lead teams and manage multi-year projects. I am committed to support you navigating public sector careers and roles in international organizations, leadership positions, career changes, upskilling and training paths, finding your lost motivation, and dealing with challenging work environments. Also happy to exchange if your career is focused, or you want to focus it, on policy, climate change issues, affordable housing, or monitoring. Don't hesitate to get in touch!Some highlights from my work experience:-As Team Leader and Policy Advisor to management, I led and shaped initiatives for the construction sector and the urban environment at the European Commission (2017–2023), coordinated High Level Fora and multi-stakeholder initiatives, designed and implemented international projects, authored institutional reports.-Senior Expert for the Sustainable United Nations Facility (2024– ), driving sustainability performance improvements and coordinating annual reporting across the UN system toward climate neutrality.-Active in research and practice at the global and EU levels: PhD(c) Spatial and Urban Engineer, with focus on international climate and development policies and their influence to national and local strategies.-Experienced mentor and advisor: URBACT Lead Expert, Cities Forum Mentor, with a track record in city mentoring programs (New European Bauhaus, Net Zero Cities). Mentored over 15 trainees and younger colleagues in their early career, as manager in international organizations.

Lior Steinberg

Based in Netherlands

Lior Steinberg is an urban planner and the co-founder of Humankind, a Rotterdam-based agency for urban change. He works with cities to shift from car-centric design toward "human-scale" urbanism - creating streets and public spaces that prioritize walking, cycling, and social interaction. His career path is unconventional: he spent six years as a computer programmer before transitioning to urbanism. This technical background informs his current work, including the development of "Cycling Lifestyle AI," a tool that helps planners and residents visualize the transformation of car-heavy streets into Dutch-style cycling infrastructure. Lior has consulted on urban mobility and strategic planning for cities around the world. A strong advocate for inclusive design, he specializes in tactical urbanism and child-friendly cities. He is also the author of the children's book The Car That Wanted to Be a Bike, which introduces sustainable mobility concepts to a younger audience.

Venugopal AV

Based in India

As a Program Manager working in urban development, I’ve learned that transforming cities is as much about transforming systems and mindsets as it is about infrastructure. My journey has centered on collaborating with government agencies, from city corporations to national ministries, to translate people-first ideas into funded projects and adopted policies. I’ve navigated the complexities of building consensus, strategizing for scale, and turning setbacks into learning opportunities within the public sector. I can offer support to mentees exploring: · Government Engagement & Policy: Strategies for effective collaboration, communication, and technical input to influence policy. · Project Strategy & Scaling: Moving from a pilot concept to a budgeted, city-wide or national program. · Navigating Professional Growth: Building a purposeful career in the public/social impact sector, handling motivation, and learning from challenges. · Personal Branding: Communicating your work and impact authentically to different audiences. If you're passionate about creating change within systems and seeking a thoughtful sounding board, I’m here to share insights from my own journey and what I've learned from peers.

Frank Dhondt

Based in Greece

Oleksandra Tkachenko

Work on the edge between urban planning and strategies.

Based in Netherlands

Oleksandra works at the intersection of urban planning, design, and strategy. This is reflected in her dual academic background. In 2012, she graduated as an urban planner from the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. In 2016, she complemented this with a Master’s degree in Urban Management and Development at Erasmus University Rotterdam. After gaining experience at several firms, she joined KuiperCompagnons in 2021. Her approach places strong emphasis on development processes such as scenario planning, participation, stakeholder management, and research. Her projects are always strongly oriented toward context, people, and program. In recent years, she has worked on projects ranging from area transformation visions to concept designs. In addition to her daily work at KuiperCompagnons, she also cstarted and leads the NGO Ukraine Netherlands Urban Network (UNUN).

Gargi Roy

Senior Urban Planner

Based in Germany

As a conscious urban designer and planner, I have always taken steps toward an evidence-based, people-centric approach that weaves various design informants—political, social, and economic —into synergistic relationships to create responsive environments. With ten years of experience in both the public and private sectors, I have been involved in nation-building efforts that include capacity building and providing technical assistance to government and public-sector organizations in India, Germany, and across the globe. I have supported government entities in building collaborations and formalising strategic partnerships through the signing of MoUs.

Alexandru MATEI

Senior Officer Urban Agenda and Partnerships | Speaker | Moderator | Guest Lecturer | Urban Agenda for the EU | Oxford AI Alumni

Based in France

Alexandru is a passionate urban (re)thinker and senior urban professional working at the intersection of cities, communities and European policy. With over 15 years of experience, he supports places across Europe in the design and implementation of just, sustainable and integrated urban development. Having lived and worked in nine cities and one village across four European countries, he is known as a connector of cities, networks and actors, and for his resilience in navigating complex career paths and cultural transitions. As a mentor, Alexandru supports urban city practitioners by combining strategic urban expertise with insights from psychology, including flow, positive psychology, meaningful work, relationship building, trust, resilience, communication, public speaking, conflict management, passion and purpose. His mentoring focuses on helping professionals navigate complexity, strengthen confidence, improve collaboration and align personal motivation with long-term impact. He brings particular experience in building a career in a different country and reflecting on the balance between personal and professional life goals. In 2022, he took over the restructuring of the Support Services for the Urban Agenda for the EU as part of the European Urban Initiative, leading its conceptualisation and implementation, advising multiple partnerships and managing a multidisciplinary team. His work covers EU urban policy, programmes and networks, and he is recognised for generating synergies between institutions and policies. His main interests include integrated, place-based and sustainable urban development, territorial strategies, regeneration, the common good, European spatial planning and the societal impact of artificial intelligence. He has initiated and managed numerous EU-funded projects and is also interested in photography as a tool for observation and exploration.

Didier Vancutsem

Based in Germany

Jeffrey Shumaker

Partner, PPD; Former Chief Urban Designer, NYC

Based in United States

Jeffrey Shumaker, AICP, has been working at the intersection of architecture, urban design and planning for more than thirty years, in both the public and private sectors, and in cities across the globe. He served the City of New York as its Chief Urban Designer and Director of Urban Design and held leadership roles in some of the world’s top architecture, urban planning and design firms, including SOM, KPF and BIG. Jeffrey is currently President of Urbanscape, an international urban design and planning consultancy and Co-Founder of Partners in Public Design. Taking a place-based approach to his work, Jeffrey is helping communities, architecture and planning firms, private and non-profit institutions, towns and cities create better places to live, work, study and play. Jeffrey provides a full range of services from urban design, planning and illustration to liaising with city agencies and advising clients on strategy and public approvals. Globally, Jeffrey is serving as expert advisor to UNHabitat on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – participated in two expert panel discussions - and is working with cities around the globe to build internal urban design capacity, most recently in Pretoria, S. Africa and Seoul, S. Korea. Jeffrey holds dual Masters Degrees in Architecture, Planning and Urban Design from MIT and a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Syracuse University. He is the recipient of the Public Architect Award from AIANY and the Michael Weil Award from the NYC Department of City Planning, both recognizing excellence in urban design in the public realm. Jeffrey teaches and lectures frequently and is currently an adjunct professor of urban design and planning for Columbia University and the Syracuse Architecture program in NYC.

Patricia Gimenez Franco

Senior Urbanist | Architect | International Advisor

Based in Paraguay

Urbanism is about people’s everyday life — and that conviction has shaped my professional journey. I am an architect and senior urbanist with over 20 years of experience across architecture, urban and territorial planning, and geography. I have built an international career working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, living and working in different countries, with strong language skills and high geographical mobility. My professional path spans the public and private sectors, advising cities, governments, development projects, and international cooperation programs in Latin America and Europe. My core areas of expertise include urban policy, planning and design; housing, land management; real estate; public space; urban regeneration; urban governance; resilience; capacity building, among others. I have contributed to complex urban initiatives with institutions such as the WB, IDB, UNDP, UN-Habitat, EEAS, the EU, LILP, KRIHS, and Gehl, among others, through projects, advisory roles, workshops, and learning programs. Beyond academic frameworks, my work is grounded in practice and real-world complexity, shaped by governance constraints, institutional dynamics, implementation gaps, and the relational dimension of urban management — understanding not only how cities are planned, but how they actually work. I write to reflect on practice, translate complexity, and share urban knowledge. As a mentor, I support professionals navigating career transitions, international and consulting pathways, and complex decision-making processes, offering clarity, grounded strategic thinking, and a pragmatic understanding of how urban work unfolds in practice. My mentoring approach is reflective and structured, helping mentees work through moments of uncertainty or stagnation by reconnecting skills, experience, and direction. Despite extensive experience, I continue learning from practice, context, and people — because urban work is dynamic, and context matters.

hemalatha M C

Master Planner

Based in India

Policy, Planning and Design professional in the fields of Urban Development, Industrial corridor planning, Smart Cities, Master Planning including Project Management Consultancies and Project Management Units. Experience working in Middle-east, India, Zambia and Nepal. Team mentoring, and Project Structuring. Experience formulating and strategizing projects from inception upto project implementation methods. Supports program management through conducting Techno Economic Feasibility studies, Land suitability/Capability studies and detailed Site assessments. Company representative and Client fronting.

Merve Akdag

MSc Architect and Urban Researcher

Based in Turkey

Merve Akdağ is an interdisciplinary designer with a background in architecture (B.Arch, Istanbul Technical University) and a Master’s in City and Architecture from Özyeğin University. She has led teams and developed public strategies as a design professional. As the founding leader of Şehrine Ses Ver, she has initiated award-winning participatory projects, interdisciplinary workshops, and interactive urban panels. Her work is grounded in inclusive design, urban justice, governance, public engagement, and data-driven design. She is committed to authentic thinking and effective coordination in shaping equitable urban environments. Her studies focus on producing innovative content, fostering team & community engagement, and developing and detailing unique artificial programs and collaborations in The Spatial J/U/S/T Art & Design Collective.

Ating Liu

Based in United Kingdom

Ating brings solid expertise and strategic leadership to transport infrastructure and area regeneration projects. She takes a proactive approach in leading teams through complex challenges, securing vital funding and investment, and fostering strong partnerships that deliver transformative outcomes. With over 20 years of experience in this dynamic field, Ating collaborates with partners to identify opportunities, develop funding strategies, ensure successful delivery and benefits realisation, and lead initiatives that drive meaningful, positive change with a lasting impact on communities.

Alexandra Gomes

Based in United Kingdom

I am a Research Fellow at LSE Cities, where I lead spatial analysis across a wide range of projects, applying both technical and critical approaches to understand urban complexity. I am an urban researcher and socio-spatial data analyst whose interdisciplinary training in engineering, sociology, and planning informs my approach to studying cities at different scales. My work bridges research, policy, and practice, combining comparative urban analysis with a focus on socio-spatial inequalities. My research spans urban health, sustainable development, urban mobility, and public space, and I have worked on projects across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Gulf. I teach and present my work in the UK and internationally. My research is shared through diverse formats—from academic publications, policy reports, and blogs to comparative mapping, art-in-policy exhibitions, serious games, and digital outputs—reflecting my commitment to human-centred, accessible, and visually engaging research that promotes knowledge exchange and real-world impact. Careers often involve making sense of a piecemeal process, and I can try to offer guidance, perspective, and support as you navigate your own path.

Leyla Saadi

Founder, Managing Director @ Urban Col.labs

Based in Spain

Leyla Saadi is an urban strategist, designer, and founder of Urban Collabs, a practice that supports urban decision makers, governments, consultants, and private developers in making smarter urban decisions through spatial intelligence, mapping, and strategic planning. Her work bridges data and design to help cities become more livable, inclusive, and future-ready. With over a decade of international experience across the UK, EU, Middle East, and the U.S., Leyla has led and contributed to major urban and regional planning projects, including the Soudah Urban Design Codes (Saudi Arabia), the Muscat 2040 Structural Plan (Oman), the Miami-Dade South Corridor TOD Expansion (USA) and many more strategic projects. She has delivered a wide range of initiatives focused on land use strategy, site selection, geospatial analysis, and the integration of technology into creative, place-based solutions. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at global firms such as Broadway Malyan and Benoy Architects, where she collaborated with high-profile clients on large-scale developments that balance functionality with cultural identity. She managed and liaised with international teams across studios in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Singapore and beyond. Her academic background in Architectural Engineering, combined with advanced studies in Urban Technology, Big Data, and Sustainable Design, forms the foundation of her systems-thinking approach to spatial planning and city-making. This interdisciplinary expertise enables her to bridge the gap between technical analysis and creative vision—allowing for more integrated, data-informed strategies that respond to the complex social, environmental, and spatial dynamics of contemporary cities. It also informs her ability to translate large-scale urban challenges into actionable planning frameworks that support equity, resilience, and long-term impact.

Paul Wilson

Based in United Kingdom

Paul Chairs the Advisory Board for Smart Cities World, read by over 1.6m people worldwide, Smart Cities World provides daily news coverage and weekly features about the fast-changing world of urban innovation. Paul is the Founder of GroundedThinking.net. He is also Senior Advisor at Open Agile Smart Cities with 170 city members and an honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab. Most recently Paul was Chief Business Officer, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership. Paul co-hosts the Urban Exchange podcast with the Resilient Cities Network, the Bentley Horizons podcast about the future of infrastructure, and The Living Network podcast with the Smart Internet Lab at the University of Bristol about the future of digital infrastructure. He combines an in-depth understanding of digital technology with a strong understanding of public policy processes, and a concern for nature. Paul draws on 30 years’ international leadership experience in technology and cities. Earlier in his career he was Chief Marketing Officer of $3Bn fintech company SunGard Financial Systems. He then led the development of the first economic growth strategy for the Bristol and Bath City Region as Chief Executive of the West of England LEP, winning £260m of investment from Government. After this he founded the pioneering Smart City Project ‘Bristol Is Open’, winning numerous international Smart City awards, and became a founder and Board member of the UK Government’s UK5G. Paul became telecoms industry association TM Forum’s Smart City International Advisor and then its Chief Marketing Officer, creating the ‘City as a Platform Manifesto’, attracting 300+ signatories from Governments, Companies and Cities worldwide. Paul has lived in London, Hong Kong and Geneva, and worked extensively in America. Today he lives with his family in Bristol, England.

Milena Ivkovic

Based in Netherlands

I’m an architect and urban planner. My professional journey began as a public space designer at a large international consultancy in the Netherlands, where I worked on masterplanning projects for cities across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, I was never interested in designing spaces alone, and my focus shifted to a broader question: how can urban planning better reflect everyday life and community needs? Over the years, I’ve worked across diverse countries and governance contexts, collaborating with international organisations, cities, and institutions as an expert in public space renewal, adaptation, and reconstruction. I have contributed to projects with UN-Habitat, UITP, Placemaking Europe, and ISOCARP, where I served as a Board Member and led the Urban Planning Advisory Teams (UPAT) programme. As Creative Director of BLOK 74 in Rotterdam, I develop innovative digital tools for learning and capacity-building, helping diverse stakeholders engage with complex urban challenges in practical and accessible ways. I also lead Placemaking Balkans, a non-profit think tank implementing EU-funded programmes (Interreg and Erasmus+), focused on public space transformation and participatory approaches to urban development. Alongside my project work, I contribute to the urban design field through leadership and advisory roles on international boards, juries, and professional networks, actively supporting international urban policy dialogue and knowledge development. Since 2024, I have served as a validated expert in integrated urban planning for the URBACT IV Programme of the European Commission, and in 2025 I joined the VNG International pool of experts. Why mentoring? Because I remember how confusing and overwhelming the early stages of a career can feel. Urban planning is interdisciplinary, political, and often messy. I look forward to supporting mentees in building confidence, sharpening their ideas, and finding their way in this complex field.

Ludo Campbell-Reid

Based in Australia

Angela Lopez

Associate - Urban Planner and Designer at ARCADIS | Architect LEED AP BD+C | MSc Cum Laude Urbanism + Technology in Sustainable Development (TISD) Specialization

Based in Mexico

Urban designer & planner committed to make a positive impact on the people around me and my environment: my city, my country and the world. My wish is that my dedication to sustainability and sustainable living at home and at my workplace ‘practicing what I preach’ will inspire others to follow my lead. My goal is to encourage sustainable designs and practices as my way of making a difference in my professional practice. During my years of professional experience in the construction industry I have sought to combine the success of clients with improving the quality of life of people and caring for the environment. With more than 15 years of professional practice, I have had the opportunity to accumulate experience in the design and development of Interior Design, Architectural, and Urban Design & Planning projects, as well as their execution and coordination. I enjoy new challenges, as evidenced by my educational and professional experiences abroad. As a result of my multi-cultural background I am extremely adaptable which has been essential for my professional career. During my role as the Urban Design Team Lead and Sustainability Coordinator for a small practice in Mexico City I was part of an interdisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the development of Sustainable Master Plan projects in multiple Mexican cities such as Colima, Culiacán, Durango, Mérida, San Luis Potosí and Mexico City. I joined IBI Group (now Arcadis) Mexico City practice in December 2020. Since then I have participated in master planning, urban design, and sustainability & resilience consulting projects in North America and Latin America, mainly in Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil. The Pedestrianization and Parking Management Consultancy for Oaxaca Historic City Center in Mexico was one of my latest projects where I played a key role as the project coordinator between the client (IDB), the beneficiaries (Municipality) and the community involved.

Joan Watetu Gachoki

Based in Kenya

Joan Watetu Gachoki is an Urban Planner and Sustainability Consultant specialising in climate governance, sustainability transitions, and ESG frameworks. She has over five years of experience spanning government, consultancy, and applied research, supporting climate-informed decision-making across the built environment, energy, and environmental sectors. She is the Founder and Lead Consultant at Eliye Consults, where her work focuses on climate policy analysis, ESG disclosure, sustainability reporting, and green building certification. Her expertise includes GRI Standards, CSRD, ISSB, EDGE, G-SEED, and environmental impact assessment, with a strong emphasis on translating complex regulatory and policy developments into practical implementation strategies. Joan previously served as a Senior Physical Planner with the Government of Kenya, contributing to national land-use and climate-related policy development and supporting county governments in aligning local plans with national frameworks. As a Visiting Researcher at Aalto University (Finland) under the World in Transition programme, she co-authored and published research examining climate governance and political-economy dynamics, using Nairobi River regeneration as a case study (World in Transition Working Paper Series, ISBN: 978-952-64-3026-3).

Vinita Dhume

Based in United Kingdom

Vinita is Director of Urban Design and Architecture. Her work includes projects in both the public and private sectors, specialising in regeneration and housing renewal, master planning, placemaking, and stakeholder-community engagement. Vinita has over 25 years of experience in master planning and architecture, and brings a broad breadth of knowledge on urban regeneration. She places a particular emphasis on a people-centred approach to co-creating places which are liveable and inclusive. She has led complex regeneration projects as part of larger interdisciplinary teams, working jointly to create innovative solutions to challenging problems, drawing critical insights from urban research into community engagement, design guidance (codes), sustainable place shaping and the design process. She serves on many Design Review Panels across the wider South East in the UK. She is also co-chair of the Westminster Design Review Panel and Tower Hamlets QRP in London.

Saira Vilchis

Expert in urban development and mobility

Based in Mexico

I have 17 years of experience in designing, evaluating, and implementing strategies for more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable cities. My work focuses on the intersection of technical knowledge, with a strong emphasis on generating evidence for public decision-making. Since 2013, I have been collaborating with the Mario Molina Center in project coordination, where I have developed technical analyses, designed methodologies and indicators, and accompanied private companies in the design of sustainability strategies, especially in the social component. I have participated in international programs such as Women in Motion – Urban Leaders and Urban95, an initiative promoted by the Van Leer Foundation and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for the design of cities focused on early childhood. I also participated as a specialist in the technical groups on transportation and gender of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) for the development of the Sustainable Taxonomy of the financial system in Mexico, a pioneer in integrating the gender perspective into a financial instrument. I integrate gender perspective, care approach, and territorial justice across the board, promoting urban policies that respond to the differentiated needs of women, girls, boys, and other historically excluded groups. As a mentor, I combine my technical expertise with soft skills development, recognizing that while technical knowledge can be acquired, leadership, communication, negotiation, and networking skills require an intentional development process. I accompany mentees in defining career strategies, professional leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making in complex environments, with the aim of strengthening urban leadership committed to territorial, climate, and social justice.

Shuwen Sailer-Zhou

Based in Germany

Shuwen Zhou is an urban and digital geographer. She is currently leading the International Center for Social Equity and Participation. Her expertise lies in the interaction of urban governance, digitalization and social equity. Shuwen has professional experience with the United Nations Development Programme, the Asian Development Bank Institute, and international NGOs, working on poverty reduction, urbanisation, and community development. She holds degrees in urban planning and public policy from the University of Oxford, the University of Tokyo, and University College London.

Danbee Lee

Urban Expert

Based in Germany

I am an urbanist passionate about creating happy cities through public spaces that incorporate urban Nature-based Solutions. In addition, I am highly interested in enhancing social capital in cities through placemaking. I have 5 years of professional work experience in an international organization to enhance climate resilience in Asian cities. My academic background ranges from political science, economics, international security, international development cooperation, to sustainable urban planning. To achieve various experiences, I lived in several cities: Seoul, Chicago, Berlin, and Frankfurt am Main. I believe that building livable cities is not something we can do individually. It happens when we connect and exchange ideas and visions with like-minded people, because this “togetherness” is key to a sustainable urban future. Hence, I hope to support young urban planners who are looking for clarity and direction as they navigate their journeys.

Salvador Herrera

CEO at Urbanística

Based in Mexico

I am an urban planner with a professional journey spanning over more than two decades at the intersection of law, ethics, governance, and urban design. Trained as a Planner, with a graduate specialization in Urban Management in France and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture. My experience bridges public institutions, international organizations, and professional practice. I have held senior roles in municipal planning agencies in Mexico, worked with multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, CAF, and UN-Habitat, and since 2014 I lead Urbanística, a Mexico-based planning firm that develops urban, territorial, housing, mobility, and regulatory strategies across Latin America and beyond. My work covers the full planning cycle: diagnosis, legal and normative design, participatory processes, implementation instruments, and capacity building. Cities, regions, and national governments have relied on my expertise to translate policy goals into actionable spatial and regulatory frameworks. As a mentor to other urban planners, I offer three concrete forms of value. First, professional clarity: guidance on how to build a coherent planning profile that goes beyond technical silos and responds to real institutional constraints. Second, practice-oriented judgment: mentoring planners on how to navigate complex political, legal, and social environments without compromising ethical standards or professional integrity. Third, strategic growth: helping emerging professionals understand how to move between academia, public service, international cooperation, and private practice, and how to translate planning ideas into credible projects, instruments, and careers.

Ludovic Pittie

Fellow, Landscape Advisory

Based in United Kingdom

After leading and growing WSP’s landscape and urban design UK business from 17 to over 120-strong over the past 8 years, Ludo is now focusing on amplifying the strategic impact landscape architect and urban designers can have on the future for the benefit of the planet and society. As a WSP Fellow, he is a global thought leader in strategy, design excellence and natural systems, his latest thought piece “What if cities were more like forests?” exploring nature based placemaking. Ludo is advising clients on how nature-led urbanism founded upon designing for all lives can reshape our societal health and equity, resilience of built environment and how to shift towards a regenerative economy. He provided strategic direction to the Homerton Green Corridor project for NHS Homerton Trust and was design lead for the public realm of Barking Riverside, one of the 10 Healthy New Town pilots. He was also project director for the Cambridgeshire Greenway Green Blue Infrastructure strategy. He was one of the authors of the new Manual for Streets working with the CIHT and DfT, leading stakeholder dialogue and developing principles about moving towards designing Climate Adapted and Net Zero Streets. He is project director for the development of the design framework for Portobello Road. In recent years, he has started to provide strategic advice to clients about how green finance and new financial instruments can reshape our urban and rural landscapes. Ludo is also a highly experienced public speaker who has presented in conferences on the global stage such as The Biophilic Summit, Urban Future and has taken part in numerous podcasts including URBCast, the Biophilic Design Journal Podcast and What’s That Green. He’s led the WSP global initiative “Future Ready Landscapes” since 2018. He is a visiting lecturer at the Ecole des Ingénieurs de la Ville de Paris and University of Boulder.

Judy Baker

Based in United States

Judy Baker is currently a Senior Advisor with Cities Alliance, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Advisory Council Member on Latin America at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and International Consultant working on urban development issues. Until 2023 she was a Global Lead and Lead Economist at the World Bank in the Global Practice for Urban, Resilience and Land. Throughout her 30-year career at the World Bank she was responsible for leading policy dialogue, project management, and analytical work, particularly in East Asia, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. This work has spanned engagements in over 30 countries and covered topics related to sustainable urbanization and its impacts, affordable housing, service delivery, climate change, local governance, economic development, urban poverty, and monitoring and evaluation. She has led several communities of practice with outreach to global partners from many organizations. She has published six books, as well as produced numerous country and regional reports for the World Bank. She has also been an invited speaker at many international events and guest lecturer at numerous universities. As a mentor, Judy brings extensive experience in recruiting and leading teams, deep analytics and policy guidance on a wide range of urban development issues in many different types of cities, project design, problem solving, partnership building, and career guidance.

Cornelia Dinca

Sustainable & Smart Cities

Based in Netherlands

I am an urbanist, consultant and educator focused on sustainable urban development. I am the founder of Sustainable Amsterdam, a boutique consultancy specialized in transferring Amsterdam and Dutch approaches to sustainable urban development internationally through experiential learning programmes. I have extensive experience working with governmental and semi-governmental partners such as the City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Smart City, with a strong focus on international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Throughout my work, I have been involved in various mentoring roles, including as mentor city representative in the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC), supporting other European cities in their urban innovation and sustainability journeys. I have also mentored startups through different EIT and New European Bauhaus programmes. I also support individuals in their career development paths, particularly (young) professionals moving to Amsterdam / the Netherlands who are navigating the local urban and sustainability ecosystem. My mentoring approach combines practical urban experience with reflection, learning and personal guidance in complex sustainability transitions.

MUSTAFA SHERIF

Based in Sweden

Mustafa Sherif is an urban planner and placemaker from Iraq, based in Stockholm, dedicated to creating cities for people, especially children. As Studio Manager at AFRY’s Urban Planning & Design studio, he leads projects focused on human-centered urbanism and applies the Swedish Child Impact Analysis model to ensure urban environments support children’s needs. He specializes in public participation, community engagement, and placemaking. Mustafa is the founder and host of the Urbanistica Podcast, with over 550 episodes and listeners in more than 150 countries, featuring global leaders in urban development. He frequently lectures at universities and professional events, advocating for inclusive cities. Mustafa is Director of Placemaking Sweden and founder of the Nordic Placemaking Network. He has received several recognitions, including awards from the Swedish Architects’ Association and the Jane Jacobs Lecture.

Otto-Zimmermann Konrad

Based in Germany

KONRAD OTTO-ZIMMERMANN EDUCATION Diploma in Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.), Architecture and Urban Planning, Technical University of Hannover, Germany Magister (MA), Administrative Sciences, University of Administrative Sciences, Speyer PROFESSIONAL CAREER • Creative Director, The Urban Idea, Freiburg/ Germany • Founding Director, ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, Seoul/ South Korea • Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, World Secretariat, Toronto, Canada / Bonn, Germany • Deputy Secretary General and Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI, Freiburg/ Germany • Head, Environmental Planning Division, City of Freiburg, Germany • Project Director, ‘Black Forest’ Environmental Project, Stuttgart/ Germany • Division Head “Environmental Planning”, German Federal Environmental Agency, Berlin/ Germany INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS CONCEIVED, DESIGNED, INITIATED AND LED • Ecological building and construction • Environmental impact assessment at local level • Green public procurement • Local Agenda 21 in Europe • Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Europe • Resilient Cities (urban resilience and cities’ adaptation to climate change) • EcoBudget (local, natural resources management) • EcoMobility (integrated promotion of walking-cycling-wheeling-‘passenging’) • Fine Mobility (German: Feinmobilität), promotion of mobility on foot and with vehicles in the range between shoe and car EXPERIENCES • Initiating, founding and building organizations (esp. NGOs) • Managing organizations including (re-)structuring, HR and financial management • Building partnerships and alliances between national and international organizations • Conceiving, conceptualizing and initiating programs with national or international impact • Developing and positioning innovative concepts, methodologies and brands • Motivational speeches • Teaching professionals

Claudine Enduma

Based in Philippines

Licensed Urban Planner (Environmental Planning specialization) with over a decade of professional experience in partnerships and project management in the fields of travel industry and public service. Innovative, resilient, and a goal-driven leader who is passionate about education and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. University Lecturer at the University of the Philippines with research interests on ecotourism, urban resilience, and sustainability. Most recent engagements include being one of the panelists at the Nobel Prize Dialogue 2022 in Singapore, 3rd Place Winner in the Geneva Challenge 2022 held in Geneva, Switzerland, and delegate of the United Nations Office on Disaster Risk Reduction Global Resilience Forum 2023 in Dubai.

Sean Hertel

Based in Canada

Giselle Sebag

Executive Director | Founder

Based in Spain

I’m Giselle Sebag (MPH, LEED AP)—an architect, urban planner, and public health practitioner focused on improving health by design. I work at the intersection of urban planning, public health, mobility, climate resilience, and equity, helping cities and civil society partners translate evidence into place-based strategies that improve everyday life—how we move, what we breathe, how safe we feel, and how connected we are. I serve as Executive Director of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), a global network advancing the field of urban health and strengthening the bridge between evidence and real-world action. I also founded Vital Cities, an evidence-driven advisory practice that partners with city governments, the private sector, and mission-driven organizations to ensure urban investments deliver the greatest possible impact—improving health, quality of life, and economic outcomes. My career has been built in the “in-between spaces” where change is hardest—and most promising: between planning and health, policy and design, infrastructure and community life. I’m especially interested in how practical shifts—safe walking and cycling, public-space activation, access to nature, healthier housing and neighborhoods, and inclusive community life—can transform places and reduce inequities. I’m based in Barcelona and New York and work internationally. What I offer as a mentor: Strategic, practical support for mentees who want to create measurable impact across disciplines. I can help you (1) clarify your direction and refine your professional story, (2) translate research and data into implementable urban strategies, (3) navigate cross-sector stakeholder dynamics, and (4) apply a place-based approach that breaks down silos and builds shared purpose. Bring a real challenge—an initiative that’s stuck, a career crossroads, or a project that needs a sharper strategy—and we’ll work together to move from insight to action.

Diego Garcia Fernandez

Based in Mexico

Diego García es Arquitecto y Urbanista con más de 16 años de experiencia, principalmente en los campos de planificación urbana, placemaking, diseño urbano y arquitectónico, desarrollo orientado al transporte público (DOT), gestión de proyectos, regulaciones urbanas y arquitectónicas. Diego posee una Maestría en Urbanismo de la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (Barcelona TECH) y es egresado de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la UNAM. Entre los proyectos relevantes en los que Diego ha participado se encuentran 4 planes maestros para plantaciones de café cerca de Antigua Guatemala, cada uno abarcando más de 70 hectáreas, tres planes maestros en el área sur de la Zona Metropolitana de Guatemala, que cubren más de 1,000 hectáreas, 2 proyectos de mejora urbana con enfoque en el Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte Público (DOT) en Belo HoDiego García is an Architect and Urban Planner with over 16 years of experience specializing in urban and architectural design, placemaking, transit‑oriented development (TOD), master planning, project management, and urban regulations. He currently leads the Urban Planning & Architecture practice for Arcadis in Mexico, where he has grown the team from 1 to 21 professionals and driven significant business development and project delivery. Diego holds a Master in Urban Planning from UPC / Barcelona TECH (ETSAB, DUOT Barcelona) and an Architecture degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Among Diego’s notable projects are strategic master plans for coffee farms near Antigua Guatemala, covering more than 100 hectares, and several large‑scale urban master plans in the Guatemala City metropolitan area exceeding 1,000 hectares. He has contributed to innovative TOD initiatives in cities such as Belo Horizonterizonte y Río de Janeiro, un estudio de pre-factibilidad para el teleférico de Chapultepec.