Ulf Meyer (Germany) graduated from Technical University (TU) of Berlin as Master of Architecture in 1996 . Among others , he was head of Communications with Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo/Japan (2001-2002) and head of Communications (Partner) at Ingenhoven Architects in Duesseldorf/Germany (2007-2012). He was co-curator of the Architecture Biennale in Hong Kong in 2012 and visiting professor at Tamkang University inTaipei (2013-2015). From 2016 , he is head of Communications in HENN, an international architectural office based in Βerlin (Senior Associate) .He was curator of many architectural exhibitions and gave a series of lectures extensively at Universities and Cultural Centers all over Europe, the USA and Canada and as well as in Japan, China, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. He has published over 1.400 articles in newspapers and magazines in Germany and abroad and many books about architecture.
Benjamin Gill BIOREGIONAL (UK) One Planet Communities International Technical Manager at Bioregional (UK). Ben is a Chartered Environmentalist with IEMA, graduated in Earth Science from Cambridge University and completed an MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College. He draws on experience from working in a broad range of environmental fields such as energy efficient building design, running environmental education programs and managing the Appropriate Technology department in an environmental education center in Spain. Based in Greece, Ben currently manages Bioregional’s involvement in One Planet Communities in France, Luxembourg, Tanzania and Portugal. He provides technical support to the partners in first developing and then implementing the ambitious sustainability strategies. Ben has also planted and manages a small woodland, grows his own food and keeps bees. more
Lina Liakou (Greece) was born in Thessaloniki and studied architecture at the Aristotle University. She has master's degree in Urban Planning from U.C.L. and since 2013 she is a PhD candidate in the Department of Architecture of AUTH. She has worked in research projects for the cities in the context of the non-profit group "School of Architecture for All" and in cooperation with international institutions such as the Swiss Polytechnic in Zurich E.T.H. as a member of the research team of the "Reactivate Athens / 101 Ideas". Since 2010 she is a member of the architectural group URBAN3. In 2014 she was elected municipal councilor in Thessaloniki with the "Initiative for Thessaloniki".
Urban Transcripts (Greece, UK, Italy) They work on city making by bringing together research, community participation and design. They respond to the urban challenges of the future through a holistic approach: through research they analyse the urban process and identify strengths and weaknesses; through community participation they engage citizens and stakeholders in the urban development process; through design they re-shape and re-programme the urban fabric creating sustainably successful places. Each of their projects starts as a unique urban problem to resolve. Fusing expert research and public participation into the design process they provide innovative solutions addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges our cities are facing. more
Stavros Konstantinidis (Greece) is Dipl. Civil Engineer, AUTH with postgraduate studies in Transportation and Environmental design. . He began his career in 1992 as a research associate at Aristotle University and scholar of public and private projects. To date he has produced and participated in more than 300 studies and research projects in the fields of transportation, urban and environmental planning in many cities in Greece and abroad. He has extensive experience in public administration and entrepreneurship. . In 2002-2004 he was the youngest Governor of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Greece and Europe. In the private sector he often senior executive and management consultant in the construction and energy sector of large listed companies. Many proposals, articles and integrated plans of urban and transport interventions that have been implemented, often presented in the media. Today conducts the study company "Stavros Konstantinidis & Associates - Consulting Engineers", with offices in Athens, Thessaloniki, Santorini and Mykonos. The office operates on the model of a service "attitude" (one stop - shop), covering all the needs of the market and in particular of private business and the public sector. He writes regularly in the daily press, electronic media and has written books' Open Cities' ', 2010' 'Smart roads for a human city' ', 2014 by publishing' 'Athens Voice Books''
Themis Chatzigiannopoulos (Greece) Graduated from the School of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and received a Master of Science degree in Environmental Design of Buildings from Cardiff University W.S.A. His postgraduate dissertation was distinguished in September 2011 in the conference organized in London by Arup in collaboration with the Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings. From December 2012, after obtaining a scholarship from the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) in collaboration with Siemens, he is a PhD candidate at the School of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His PhD thesis has also been awarded with the honorary scholarship of Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation. At the same time he runs an architectural practice involved in the design and construction of both public and private projects and occasionally takes part in architectural competitions and exhibitions. Some of the most important moments of his so far architectural career are: the 1st prize in the European architectural competition “Regeneration of Eleftherias Square in Thessaloniki” in 2013 and the 1st prize of the “Domes” nominations (Best Design Project 2007 – 2009).
Antonis Semertsidis (Greece) was born and raised up in Thessaloniki. He studied Architecture (MEng, AUTh) and Landscape Architecture (MLA, AUTh). Having worked as a designer, consultant and supervisor in a series of public and private projects, now he holds an A2 class contractor certificate. In 2014 he founded epmforward.gr, company which is also involved in the housing development. In the past he has worked as professor and lecturer at seminars of the Department of Applied Arts of I.I.E.K Xinis. Antonis speaks excellent English and good German and since 2007 he is a member of Technical Chamber of Greece (T.E.E).