Elisabeth Belpaire, Switzerland/Belgium
President (2024-2027), Executive Committee Member

 

Elisabeth Belpaire is an engineer architect, an urban and spatial planner and brings over 25 years of experience; architecture, urban planning, design and governance in Belgium, France, Switzerland.

Elisabeth Belpaire is an engineer architect, an urban and spatial planner and brings over 25 years of experience: architecture, urban planning, design and governance in Belgium, France, Switzerland; sustainable development and disaster risk reduction with UN-Habitat in Vietnam, management of post-conflict programmes and creation of a new strategic integrated planning system in Kosovo; development of a regional capacity building instrument addressing housing & informal settlements with South-East Europe governments and partners; regeneration of West Bank historical centres; design of a Foundation’s strategy for cities to support healthy childhood development; inputs to the public space department of Bogota and to 15-min neighbourhood concept; contributing to Global State of National Urban Policy Programme and the Mentor Student Research Lab on the public spaces of tomorrow ; co-initiator of ISOCARP ‘Community of Practice on Urban Health’ . Her talk s in Chicago, London, New -Zealand and at TEDx Geneva, bring attention to the health and well-being of our young, and how cities can enable them to thrive, especially since too often they fall through the crack s of city planning and management.

Elisabeth holds a M.Sc. in Engineering Architecture from Gent University and an Advanced M.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning from Leuven University in Belgium.

Frank D’hondt, Greece/Belgium (2019-2025)
Secretary General, Executive Committee Member

Frank is a freelance city & regional planner, with 30 y. of global experience in designing & conducting participatory strategic planning processes. He advises urban & rural communities and their national & local governments on achieving sustainable urban and territorial development.

Frank is founding member and director of the Territorial Capital Institute, a knowledge-based platform to exchange theory and praxis of integrated territorial development and placemaking, drawing upon his experiences on localising the New Urban Agenda and the International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning.

Frank has worked 15 years in the European Union, mainly on cross-border and transnational planning issues, followed by another 15 years outside the EU, including Kosovo, Palestine, Nepal, Afghanistan, Arab Emirates, Kenya, Myanmar, China, Japan, the Caribbean, Timor-Leste, The Gambia and Somalia. Frank is specialised in national urban policy, metropolitan planning, post-conflict/disaster planning and participatory visioning and placemaking. With UN-Habitat, Frank published a book on ‘Visioning as Participatory Planning Method’ and drafted the handbook for the implementation of the International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning (IGUTP).

Frank contributed to several ISOCARP World Congresses, co-organised and reported UPATS in Gaza, Palestine and Whan, China, and also contributed to several ISOCARP Review publications.

Contact Frank via secretarygeneral@isocarp.org or connect via Youtube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

The Board is the governing body of ISOCARP. It develops policies and proposes these at the Annual General Meeting of the ISOCARP Members. Members elect Board members for three years. The President serves one term, all other Board Members are able to serve for two terms. The President, Secretary General and three other members of the Board form the Executive Committee (ExCom), charged with the daily general management of the society:

Executive Committee (2022-2023):
Pietro Elisei – President
Frank D’hondt – Secretary General
Darinka Golubovic-Matic – Treasurer
Elisabeth Belpaire
Sabina Reichert

Darinka Golubovic-Matic, Serbia (2022-2025)
Treasurer, Executive Committee Member

Darinka Golubovic Matic is a full professor in the Faculty of Construction Management (Architecture and Urbanism; Civil Engineering) at the University of Union Nikola Tesla in Belgrade (Serbia).

Darinka Golubovic Matic is an associate professor in the Faculty of Construction Management (Architecture and Urbanism; Civil Engeenering) at the University of Union Nikola Tesla in Belgrade (Serbia).

She is a consultant, researcher and academic with experience in the field of civil engineering, urban and regional planning and environmental assessments in different European countries. She has been a project manager and team member of different technical and advisory development projects. She is the author or co-author of more than 10 papers in international journals and has more than 20 conference contributions. Since 2003 she is a member of ISOCARP and The Serbian Chamber of Engineers. Her research interest is focusing on land use management, environmental assessment, civil engineering, transportation, urban mobility and GIS methods.

Markus Appenzeller, Netherlands/German (2023-2026)

Practitioner, educator, and thinker with 20+ years of experience in urbanism, architecture, and landscape design worldwide. Focus on transformative changes of cities, climate, and the way we collaborate.

Markus Appenzeller (*1972)Urbanist – Educator – Writer

From the onset of his career, Markus has been working on the edge of architecture, landscape and planning. Working for the Office of Metropolitan Architecture and KCAP Architects & Planners, he was leading large scale urban planning as well as architectural projects in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. 2012 he founded MLA+ as a multidisciplinary architecture, planning and consultancy practice with offices in Rotterdam, Berlin and Shenzhen. Markus has developed special expertise in urban regeneration, climate adaptive urban planning and design in fast growing cities and urban regions.

MLA+ is focusing on the big questions of our time: transformative changes of our cities, climate change and the way we collaborate in city making. Past and current projects include: The Olympic Legacy Masterplan for London, a city development strategy for Ekaterinburg, Water as Leverage in Semarang, Indonesia, Xaiomeisha Coastal Protection Plan in Shenzhen, China and the extension of Greater Accra Region in Ningo Prampram, Ghana.

Besides his professional activities, Markus is active as an educator and adviser. After teaching at Berlage Institute in Rotterdam, Urban Transformation School in St. Petersburg and Moscow School of Architecture, in 2017, he has been appointed as dean of the urbanism program at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.

Markus has published numerous texts on urban planning and design topics, most recently on planning in the post—soviet space, on the City of Shenzhen, on the London Olympic Legacy and on current spatial debates on his blog The Daily Urban Dose.

Sabina Reichert, Romania (2022-2025)
Executive Committee Member

Urban and Regional Planner with a decade of experience developing programs, strategies, plans, and policies for Sustainable Urban Development.

Sabina Reichert is a researcher, consultant, and portfolio manager of cooperation and R&I projects, as deputy director of URBASOFIA. Currently, she serves as the president of the Romanian Professional Planners Association (APUR “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning in Bucharest, Romania.

With a Ph.D. in instruments for integrated strategic planning in multi-level urban contexts, Sabina Dimitriu’s main drive is bridging development and knowledge gaps in planning by working with authorities and local communities to co-create visions, supporting technological adaptation and change management, test pilot projects and new urban policies. Some of her research topics include designing and implementing urban programs pioneering digital transformation, nature-based solutions (NBS), carbon neutrality, social innovation, and multi-level governance solutions.

She has also been involved in writing, implementing, and supporting city access to international research & innovation and cooperation projects, mostly under flagship European Commission programs. As a planner, she has worked on several national and regional studies, integrated urban development strategies for middle-sized cities and metropolitan areas in the EU, Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, and sectoral strategies.

Tijana Tufek Memišević, United States/Bosnia and Herzegovina (2023-2026)

Dr. Tijana Tufek Memisevic is a Bosnian American architect, researcher and consultant in sustainable urban development. Tijana supports the research community in engaging with professional organizations, local authority, and civic society to work towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities. She is a member of the ISOCARP Board and the Scientific Committee.

Dr. Tijana Tufek Memisevic is an architect, researcher and consultant in sustainable urban development. She is the principal of a multidisciplinary design and research company in Chicago and a licensed architect in BiH. Dr. Tijana Tufek Memisevic obtained her master’s degree from the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and her Ph.D. from the Cracow University of Technology in Poland, where she is currently engaged as Visiting Lecturer.

With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Tufek Memisevic has worked in various capacities encompassing architectural practice, consulting on urban planning policy, teaching at international universities in Sarajevo and Cracow, publishing research in scientific journals, editorial work, and leading research initiatives in sustainable urban development with national and international institutions. She has effectively spearheaded and coordinated numerous international scientific symposia and workshops focused on smart, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. Additionally, she is a Board member of the Bosnian Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and international member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) where she served on the Committee for the Environment for Northeast Illinois in 2022.

She is the chair of the BHAAAS Sustainable Development Program which provides researchers and academics with the opportunity to collaborate and publish peer-reviewed research in sustainable development through an interdisciplinary approach, creates a platform for local and global stakeholders to engage with civic society and local authority in the Western Balkans, while fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange.

She is a member of the ISOCARP Board and Scientific Committee and has actively demonstrated strong support for the Society’s mission and goals through multiple engagements throughout the years.

Wafa Al-Daily, United States (2023-2026)

Dr. Wafa Al-Daily is a senior urban planner, a researcher, a lecturer, and an international development expert with a demonstrated working history for about two decades in academia, government agencies, NGOs, CBOs, local communities, and the private sector in the USA and the MENA region.

Dr. Wafa Al-Daily is a senior urban planner, a researcher, a lecturer, and an international development expert with a demonstrated working history for about two decades in academia, government agencies, NGOs, CBOs, local communities, and the private sector in the USA and the MENA region. She is experienced in urbanization, metropolitan planning, management and governance, urban recovery, smart/sustainable development, e/governance, DRRM, and informal settlements. She also has extensive management experience in international education and program administration and partnership development, global initiatives, capacity building, grants writing and implementation, and strategic planning. She is passionate about inclusive planning and has dedicated part of her professional career journey to supporting underserved and marginalized populations. Her experience spans a variety of groups, including women, youth, immigrants, people with disabilities, and indigenous peoples in both the USA and the MENA region.

Dr. Al-Daily is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of EHAAR International, LLC. (a consultancy firm with a social and humanitarian mission that focuses on urban development and urban recovery issues). She is the Lead of the International Metropolitan Fellowship Arabia Chapter and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Metropolitan Fellowship. She is an affiliated member, fellow and researcher of a number of centers and institutes, including the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving and Institute for Policy and Governance at Virginia Tech University in the USA, International Metropolitan Fellowship in Spain, American Planning Association in the USA, International Society of City and Regional Planners in the Netherlands, Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Germany, Gulf International Forum in the USA, and NAFSA Academy for International Education) in the USA. She has worked in a consulting capacity with a number of organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), URBAConsulting/World Bank Group (WBG), Social Fund for Development (SFD), and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).

Dr. Al-Daily was a recipient of prestigious awards and fellowships including the American Association of University Women International Fellowship and Who’s Who Among Students in the American Universities and Colleges. She was nominated for the President’s Award for Excellence and the Alumni Award for International Outreach at Virginia Tech University in 2020.

Dr. Al-Daily is a certified practitioner of Kirton Adoption-Innovation (KAI) Inventory Problem Solving and Cognitive Style, and a facilitator of intergroup dialogue and human relations. She earned a Ph.D. in Planning, Governance and Globalization from Virginia Tech (USA), a Master of City and Regional Studies from Rutgers University (USA), a Non-degree Diploma in Urban Planning and Community Development from Rutgers University (USA), and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Sana’a University (Yemen). You can contact Wafa Al-Daily via aldaily@isocarp.org

Ali A. Alraouf, Qatar (2019-2025)

Ali A. Alraouf is an architect, urban designer and planner interested in research and practice related to comprehensive sustainable design and urban planning. He published more than 105 journal refereed papers, critical reviews, essays, in addition to books and book chapters.

Ali A. Alraouf is an architect, urban designer and planner interested in research and practice related to comprehensive sustainable design and urban planning. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of California at Berkeley-USA. Alraouf has held permanent and visiting teaching and research positions at regional and international universities. Alraouf is a registered architect and urban planner in Egypt, Bahrain and Qatar. He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, Middle East and Gulf Chapter. Alraouf published more than 105 journal refereed papers, critical reviews, essays, in addition to books and book chapters. Alraouf’s current research interests are: Knowledge-based Urban Development, Post-Carbon Contemporary Gulf Cities, Museums in the Gulf, Urban vitalisation of historical districts, Knowledge and Creative cities. He serves on editorial boards and acts as a reviewer for international journals and conferences.

He provides consultancy in numerous projects regionally and internationally and acts as a consultant for international organisations including UN-Habitat, UNESCO, ESCOWA, ICOMOS among others. He serves on editorial boards and acts as a reviewer for international journals and conferences. He delivered lectures and presentations in over 25 countries and has been invited to present his research work at international institutions such as University of Oregon, Illinois Institute of Technology, Drury University, Cambridge University, University of Seoul, Malaysia International University, University of Belgrade, and American Universities in Beirut, Sharjah, Kuwait and Cairo. Alraouf is the recipient of number of awards including the innovation award in environmental and sustainable planning from Ministry of scientific research in Egypt 2000, Modern Science and Arts University (MSA) Teaching Excellence Award 2004, Best Research Paper in Sharjah International Conference for Urban Planning 2008 and Research Publication Achievement Award from University of Bahrain 2009. Alraouf was selected as a member of 2012 Excel campaign at Qatar University and the distinguished speaker of the Arab Future Cities Summit 2016.

His book “Knowledge-based Urban Development in the Middle East was awarded by ISOCARP in 2018. Alraouf’s research paper was also awarded as the best research paper by a scholar at the UC- Berkeley biannual conference in 2018. Alraouf currently acts as Head of capacity building, training, research and development unit at Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) in Qatar. He is also a visiting professor at HBK University in Qatar-Education City, and the leader of Green Urbanism and Planning Group at Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC).

Contact Ali A. Alraouf via alialraouf@isocarp.org.

Dorota Kamrowska-Załuska, Poland (2023-2026)

Dorota Kamrowska-Zaluska, a University Professor at the Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Architecture at Gdansk University of Technology and practitioner in the field of urban design and planning with more than two decades of experience working in both the public and private sectors across Poland, France, and Asia.

Dorota Kamrowska-Zaluska, a University Professor at the Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Architecture at Gdansk University of Technology and practitioner in the field of urban design and planning with more than two decades of experience working in both the public and private sectors across Poland, France, and Asia. Her academic and professional background is complemented by her role as the Director of the mid-career program on Urban development and management of metropolitan areas. She has been Visiting Scholar and Research Fellow at various institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2013.

Prof. Kamrowska-Zaluska’s contributions to the field through the authorship of over fifty papers, covering topics such as the integration of AI and Big Data in urban design and planning, regenerative design, smart cities, and data-driven urban design. Her work extends to participatory research and user-oriented design projects, with emphasis on inclusivity and community engagement.

As a Board Member of the International Society of City and Regional Planners and a member of Pomeranian Voivodship’s Urban and Architectural Commission, Prof. Kamrowska-Zaluska is actively involved in the professional community. She has also been a longstanding Board Member of the Association of Polish City Planners, where she previously served as the President of its Gdansk Division.

Rolf Schuett, Germany (2022-2025)

Architect and Urban Planner born in Bolivia. His expertise includes architectural design (air transport, oil industry, commercial, culture, residential), urban conservation, community development, resilience planning for informal settlements, urban revitalisation, GIS and digitalization.

Rolf Schuett was born in Bolivia. After finishing high-school in Hamburg he studied architecture and urban planning in Konstanz. He holds a masters degree in heritage studies from the Cottbus University of Technology. Rolf has worked in Bolivia, UK, Poland and Germany. He is a member of Isocarp since 2008 and has participated in several UPATs and YPP activities in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Rolf is also vice chair of the International Association of World Heritage Professionals, based in Bamberg, Germany. His expertise includes architectural design (air transport, oil industry, commercial, culture, residential), urban conservation, community development, resilience planning for informal settlements, urban revitalisation, GIS and digitalization.

His current projects include the design of sustainable local development schemes for the Stuttgart metropolitan region, development of strategies for healthy neighbourhoods and international research projects linked to heritage conservation.

Shi Nan, China (2023-2026)

Dr. Shi Nan has over 30 years planning experiences specialized in policy analysis and master planning. Shi Nan is the Executive President and Secretary General of Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC), the national academic and professional organization of China.

Dr Shi Nan is the Vice President and Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China, Vice Director of the National Steering Board for Planning Education, National Commission for Planning Education Accreditation and National Board for Certified Planner System. His 30-year career in the planning area has focused on policy analysis and city master planning, which has seen him actively involved in major planning and research projects including Revision of National Planning Act of the People’s Republic of China, National Standard for Planning Terminology, Innovation in Master Planning, etc. In addition, Dr Shi Nan has worked with major international organizations such as the World Bank, UN-Habitat, the UNDP, British Council and Rockefellers Foundations, and is the elected Vice President of the International Society of City and Regional Planners.

A respected author of several books, including THE STATE OF CHINA’S CITIES, SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING CHINA’S URBAN DEVELOPMENT,  Dr Shi Nan’s column for the respected academic journal the CITY PLANNING REVIEW, of which he is the chief editor, is the most popular planning literature in China. Dr Shi Nan is a professor at universities including Renmin University of China, Harbin Institute of Technology, Nanjing University, Tongji University, and the National Training Center for Mayors of China. His professional background includes Senior Planner at China Academy of Urban Planning & Design, Advisory to the City of Guangzhou, Xi’an, Dalian, Harbin, Shijiazhuang etc. He is a Council Member of China Association of Science and Technology.

Contact details:

+86-10-5832-3851 (T)
+86-10-5832-3850 (F)
+86-13801125011(M)
shinan@china.com
weibo.com/shinanchina