Working in Europe: pathways & opportunities

Tonia Vasile

Founder at TOVASTUDIO

Based in Italy

Tonia Vasile is an architect and urban planner with over ten years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and South America. Her work focuses on transforming underused urban and architectural spaces into places that people choose to inhabit, work in, and connect through always starting from real human behavior rather than abstract form. She was educated between Turin and Valparaíso, earning a double academic formation at Politecnico di Torino and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, an experience that shaped her sensitivity to public space, social life, and the relationship between landscape and everyday use. Professionally, Tonia has worked in Italy, China, and Chile, developing projects that range from large‑scale urban masterplans to workplace and interior strategies. She has worked in Shanghai and Beijing on urban regeneration, waterfronts, urban villages, and mixed‑use developments, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in fast‑paced international design environments. In 2020, she founded TOVA Studio in Milan, Italy, an independent practice dedicated to urban planning, regeneration, and spatial transformation. Across all scales, her approach is grounded in observation, cultural awareness, and the translation of everyday use into clear, inclusive, and spatial solutions.

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.

Frank Dhondt

Based in Greece

Nicolas Kersting

Project, Acquisition & Development Manger

Based in Germany

I am Nicolas Kersting, an urban planner and project manager at Superwien Urbanism, working at the intersection of public space, sustainable mobility, and climate-resilient urban development. Over the past years I have supported cities and partners across Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Africa—helping shape diagnostics, action plans, and pre-feasibility packages that translate ambitious visions into implementable projects. My work combines technical structuring (from concept to costing and implementation planning) with strong participatory practice. I have designed and facilitated co-creation processes with municipalities, universities, communities, and multidisciplinary expert teams—turning stakeholder insights into street redesigns, green corridors, inclusive public spaces, and nature-based solutions for heat and stormwater challenges. I also support proposal development for donor-funded assignments (including World Bank, ADB, IDB and others), aligning teams, narratives, workplans, and compliance requirements. As a mentor, I support emerging urban professionals in three areas: (1) building a clear professional direction and portfolio, (2) strengthening practical skills in stakeholder engagement, project structuring, and delivery, and (3) navigating international urban-development work with confidence, cultural sensitivity, and realism—without losing purpose.

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.

Tanya Jimenez Salas

Based in Netherlands

Tanya Jimenez is an urban development and circular economy professional with experience supporting cities, regions and international organisations in the design and delivery of sustainable urban strategies, with a particular focus on housing, the built environment and inclusive urban transitions. She has worked closely with local governments and international partners to develop evidence-based programmes, project pipelines and policy frameworks that translate strategic ambition into practical implementation. Her work combines strong analytical and research skills with hands-on stakeholder engagement and facilitation, enabling collaboration across public authorities, communities, financial institutions and private sector actors. Tanya has contributed to multi-stakeholder initiatives that strengthen urban resilience, improve housing systems and accelerate circular solutions within complex governance environments. She brings a structured, collaborative approach to project delivery, with strengths in urban analysis, programme coordination and the design of participatory processes that help cities move from strategy to action.

Maria Natalia Paulino Araujo Alcantara

Senior Mobility Planner

Based in Italy

Senior Mobility and Transport Planner with an international academic and professional background, grounded in architecture and urban planning. She currently works on complex mobility and transport planning projects across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America, contributing to large-scale urban developments, major venues and international masterplans. Her professional path spans Europe, the United States and Brazil, combining academic excellence with hands-on experience in multidisciplinary, international environments.She holds two Master’s degrees in Urban Studies and Urban Planning, including the Erasmus Mundus 4Cities program, and brings a strong ability to bridge spatial thinking, analytical reasoning and design-driven problem solving within mobility and transport planning contexts. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for translating complex data, spatial analysis and stakeholder inputs into clear, structured and implementable mobility frameworks. Her work focuses on creating alignment between planning, design and delivery, supporting informed decision-making and robust project outcomes in complex, high-stakes settings.As a mentor, she will support individuals navigating international careers in urban planning and mobility, particularly those seeking clarity on professional positioning, international transitions and long-term career direction. She can support mentees in structuring their profiles, refining CVs and portfolios, and navigating the transition from academic or early professional stages into complex, real-world planning and mobility environments. Her mentoring approach is practical, structured and outcome-oriented, focused on building strategic clarity, confidence and concrete next steps rather than generic advice. She works best with motivated professionals who are ready to take ownership of their path and translate ambition into informed, achievable decisions.

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

Elena Ogando

Senior Urban Designer

Based in Spain

Elena is an architect with over 17 years of international experience currently working at AECOM Madrid as a senior urban designer, coordinating several mixed use masterplan and public realm worldwide projects. In the last years she has been working in several masterplanning, landscape and residential projects for some award winning practices in London, Shanghai and Rotterdam. Elena also got the LEED Green Associate Certification after improving her knowledge about sustainable design applied to architecture and planning. Elena got her architecture degree in Madrid (ETSAM) with specialization in Urban Planning and Environment. She was awarded a scholarship to work in the investigation project: “Planning variables in pedestrian mobility”.

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.

Marina Kyriakou

Architect / Urban Planner at the Climate Change & Environment Department of the Cyprus Energy Agency

Based in Cyprus

Marina Kyriakou is an architect who holds a bachelor’s degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Strasbourg in France (2013). In 2014, she completed her Master's in Urban and Regional Planning at the Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She is a member of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus, both as an Architect and an Urban Planner, and a board member of the Urban Gorillas NGO. From 2015 to 2019, Marina was working in architectural offices in Cyprus and was active in citizen initiatives on socio-cultural and environmental issues. In 2019, she joined the Global Bicycle Mayor Network representing her city of Nicosia, through this independent and voluntary role in cycling advocacy. In the same year, she was employed by the Cyprus Energy Agency as an Architect and Urban Planner, participating in and contributing actively to many European and local projects within the Climate Change and Environment Department. Marina has participated in various trainings and initiatives on active mobility, Nature-based Solutions, energy and transport poverty, and other matters related to the human-centered and sustainable development of cities. She is also one of the founding members of the European Creative Rooftop Network. Marina is very passionate about urban cycling, green roofs, and play-friendly and child-friendly cities!

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.

Dagmar Köhler

Strategic Advisor Sustainable Mobility

Based in Germany

I am a strategic advisor at Mobycon and with extensive expertise in sustainable transportation incl. walking, cycling, road safety, urban transport and mobility projects. I focus my work to helping cities and regions to improve walking, cycling and make their transport systems more sustainable. At Mobycon, we are able to add a Dutch perspective on cycling projects, the only place in the world with a truly inclusive approach to make cycling a real option for transport for everyone. Prior to Mobycon, I have led the German Cycling Academy at the German Institute of Urban Affairs in Berlin and worked for almost a decade at the European city network POLIS in Brussels. I conducted my academic studies in geography and communications at universities in Leipzig, Stellenbosch (South Africa) and Madrid. I have led and contributed to numerous European and German mobility projects, research initiatives, and training programs. I am among the founders of Women in Cycling Germany and continue to support Women in Cycling internationally.

Lucía Mejía Dorantes

Senior specialist in sustainable mobility and urban development

Based in Germany

Senior transport and urban mobility specialist with extensive experience advising European and international institutions on sustainable mobility, transport equity, and inclusive urban development. Combines strong analytical skills with deep expertise in transport economics, mobility behaviour, and policy evaluation. Proven track record delivering high‑quality research, strategic guidance, and evidence‑based recommendations for the European Commission, the European Parliament, the JRC, and the IDB. Experienced in working across disciplines and coordinating transdisciplinary collaborations, applying quantitative and qualitative methods, and integrating gender, diversity, and social equity into transport planning. Skilled communicator with international teaching, mentoring, and conference experience. Currently supporting cities, institutions, and organisations in designing equitable and inclusive mobility strategies.

amaia celaya alvarez

Based in Spain

Think about the real needs, propose from the knowledge, and achieve them through passion. Architect, Master Urban Planner, and Master NOHA - International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action-. I’m a tireless reader, still with many things to discover, and a learnaholic. I grew up in a small town in the sunny and windy desert landscape of Bardenas Reales, Spain. I worry about how we're inhabiting the world and leaving people in the midst of their difficulties. I like seeing how good proposals make people live better within buildings and cities. I’m into resilience, sustainability, accountability, networking, urban planning, architecture, knowledge, sun, and bathing in every sea. I believe in hard work, I wish to be happy doing things that fill my soul, and I trust people. Barcelona Resilience Advisor since 2025 / UNOPS urban migration expert since 2024 / URBACT validated expert since 2023 / UN-IOM advisor since 2022 / Master Director Design for Resilience ELISAVA since 2021 / EU-UIA and EUI expert since 2020 / ISO-TC 292 Security and resilience expert since 2018 / UN-Habitat normative and operations coordinator on Resilience since 2016 / EU-H2020 expert since 2015 / SYLFF Fellow since 2014 / LEED Green Associate since 2012 / Project manager of Brand-quality certified ISO 9001 - and ECODESIGN - ISO 14006 - since 2011 / Eco-design consultant at BCD, ICAEN and Construction 21 since 2010 / Co-founder of abar architects 2005.

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.

José Carpio-Pinedo

Based in Spain

Jose is an Architect and PhD in City and Regional Planning, with wide experience in planning and transport consultancy in both the public (CRTM, Madrid Transport Authority) and private sectors (Atkins Ltd, London, and Tragsatec, Madrid). Currently, Jose is an Associate Professor (tenured) at ETSAM - High School of Architecture in Madrid Polytechnical University (UPM). In 2025, he was a Fulbright visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. His main specialities are sustainable mobility, urban design, public space, spatial analysis, pedestrian planning and modelling (LEGION certified user). At the bigger scale, Jose has worked on transport-land use planning integration, transit-oriented developments (TOD), city-wide pedestrian strategic masterplans, and the definition of criteria for Low Emission Zones. Jose has received the First Prize at the Madrid City Council Urban Economy Research contest (2016), the 2nd prize at the Ford Smart Mobility Challenge-Spain 2020, the UPM's PhD Extraordinary Award, and the Spanish Association of Geography's Best Urban Geography PhD Thesis Award (2022).

Federica Risi

Senior Policy and Project Officer, European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN)

Based in Italy

A natural connector and trained sustainable urban development practitioner, Federica has been shaped by living and working across different countries and urban realities. For the past 10 years, she has worked at the interface of action-research, participatory planning, and sustainable urbanisation, engaging with complex challenges such as everyday urban risks, informality, migration, inclusive city-making, and global environmental justice. Her work focuses on translating research into policy, particularly across Europe and South America. With a strong background in action-research and project management, Federica has contributed to participatory initiatives in several countries (i.e. the UK, Portugal, Peru, Brazil, and South Africa) across different sectors. She also has consultancy experience with international organisations such as the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Silent Spring Consultants, supporting policy-relevant research and programme design. Mentorship is an important part of Federica’s practice. In 2024–2025, she served as a mentor for the Public Space Academy, an experience that deeply enriched her and reinforced her belief in learning as a reciprocal and collective process. She currently works as a Senior Policy and Project Officer at the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN), where she manages multiple EU projects related to nature-positive urban development and planetary health, being the team's go-to expert on just-green urban transitions. At the EUKN, she also provides strategic advice to EU national ministries responsible for urban matters, contributing to intergovernmental cooperation and multi-level governance frameworks. Federica holds an MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development from University College London and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from LUISS Guido Carli. She speaks Italian (native), English and Spanish (fluent), and Portuguese (intermediate).

Florinda Boschetti

Urbanist - Clean Air Advocate - Sustainable Mobility & Social Innovation Advisor

Based in Belgium

Dr. Florinda Boschetti is a city and transport planner and a committed advocate for liveable, healthy, and climate‑neutral cities. She has over 20 years of experience in sustainable mobility and urban governance across research, the public sector, philanthropic organisations, and European city and network associations. Her work involves close collaboration with city leaders, public officials, national and international stakeholders, European institutions, and intergovernmental organisations. Since 2009, Dr. Boschetti has led and contributed to major strategic research and innovation projects funded under the 7th EU Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, and Interreg. Her areas of expertise include sustainable urban mobility planning, active mobility, clean and connected mobility, and urban logistics. She has held senior roles with the European Cyclists’ Federation, the European city network Polis, and was a founding member of the management team of EIT Urban Mobility (2020-2024). Before moving to Brussels in 2009, she worked with the Municipality of Ancona (2004–2005), where she coordinated a public participatory laboratory within the city’s Piano Innovativo in Ambito Urbano, financed by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure. She currently works with Clean Air Fund, supporting European cities in accelerating the transition towards clean air by leveraging collective intelligence of civil-society organisations. Dr. Boschetti regularly serves as an international expert in the evaluation of European co‑funded research projects. Since 2018, she has been a Senior Expert for the Solar Impulse Foundation, contributing to the assessment of clean technology solutions, and an Expert Evaluator for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership's Call for project on 15-minute cities approach. As a mentor, she creates a trusted space for reflection, helping professionals reconnect with their purpose, and translate values into impactful action within complex policy settings.

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.

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.

Bram Dewolfs

Director of Placemaking - Educational & Living Lab Expert - EU Projects Director

Based in Belgium

Bram Dewolfs is a placemaking expert, trainer & EU project developer who co-founded and director of Placemaking of Urban Foxes, an NGO working at the intersection of youth participation, placemaking, public space, and inclusive city-making. His work focuses on helping (young) people & children (including those with fewer opportunities) to analyse their neighbourhoods through fun tools, co-design interventions, and turn ideas into tangible pilots that strengthen belonging, safety, play, climate resilience, and everyday quality of place often through an Urban Living Lab model. With strong experience in Erasmus+, Creative Europe and other European collaborations, Bram supports cities and partners to translate ambitious goals into concrete methodologies, workshops, toolkits, and deliverables, while keeping projects realistic, evidence-informed, and implementable on the ground. He is particularly skilled at bridging grassroots creativity with institutional contexts: aligning youth-driven processes with municipal realities, sustainability, accessibility needs, and long-term policy embedding. As a mentor, Bram is practical, creative, ethical and encouraging. He helps individuals and teams move from a compelling vision to a credible project design: clarifying the “why,” sharpening objectives, building partnerships, designing participatory journeys, and stress-testing workplans and budgets so delivery remains fair and feasible. He also brings strong facilitation skills (online and offline), a toolbox of playful and inclusive placemaking methods, and a clear eye for storytelling, supporting participants to communicate their ideas in a way that convinces stakeholders, funders, and communities alike. On top of this, through his NGO, Urban Foxes also is able to potentially provide fully funded EU City Labs (including transport, accommodation and meals) on the above mentioned topics to the mentees. This way building practical knowledge and skils in a real life setting.

Melissa Gómez

Based in Germany

Ezgi Guler Tozluoglu

Based in Sweden

Ezgi is a multidisciplinary urban planner and designer with a decade of experience focusing on climate adaptation and sustainable spatial development. She has worked across the public, private, and academic sectors at all planning scales—from master planning and early-stage site analysis to climate-responsive urban and landscape design. Her core expertise includes integrating advanced GIS analysis and climate-adaptive strategies into planning processes. Ezgi has contributed to strategic frameworks, resilient design concepts, and implementation projects across Sweden and Turkey. She is also a former researcher with international publications on urban morphology, thermal comfort, and environmental performance in urban public spaces.

Jorge Alonso

Based in Spain

https://www.chapmantaylor.com/people/jorge-alonso-rodriguez + https://www.chapmantaylor.com/news/people-profile-jorge-alonso-rodriguez-speaks-to-us-about-working-for-chapman-taylor-in-london-madrid-and-latin-america Architect and Planner; Business Development Jorge is an international architect and planner responsible for our business development strategy in Spain and Latin America and is a regular speaker at international real estate conferences on innovation, technology, society, the future and responsible design.

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.

Oliver Lah

Based in Germany

Oliver Lah coordinates the Urban Urban Living Lab Center, a UN-Habitat Collaborating Center co-hosted by Technical University Berlin, Wuppertal Institute for Climate Environment and Energy and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the director of the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative and an Adjunct Professor at the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH). Prior to that Oliver worked with UN-Habitat, UN Environment, UNDP, OECD/ITF and GIZ on urban mobility and climate change issues. He was a lead author for the Fifth IPCC Assessment Report, was a member of the Habitat III Policy Unit on Urban Services and Technology and worked at the Ministry of Transport of New Zealand and the Minister of State to the German Federal Chancellor. Oliver holds a Bachelor of Art in History from Humboldt University, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science and a Master of Environmental Studies from Victoria University of Wellington and a PhD in Urban Ecology from Technical University Berlin.