The members of the jury for the international ideas contest
The jury for the international ideas contest consists of citizens, members of the City Council, the Youth Council, the Mayor for Urban Development, Housing and Environment Peter Pätzold as well as experts from the fields of culture, science, economics, tourism, sociology, architecture/planning and ecology.
Experts from the cultural sector
And.Ypsilon, musician and producer
And.Ypsilon is a member of the band "Die Fantastischen Vier". He is the producer and ensures the perfect sound. He also teaches producing in the jazz/pop programme at the Stuttgart University of Music. In addition to his work with "Die Fantastischen Vier", he also works for other artists. Together with Ralf Goldkind, for example, he produced Thomas D's second solo album "Lektionen in Demut". And.Ypsilon runs his own recording studio in Stuttgart.
And.Ypsilon is a member of the band "Die Fantastischen Vier". He is the producer and ensures the perfect sound. He also teaches producing in the jazz/pop programme at the Stuttgart University of Music. In addition to his work with "Die Fantastischen Vier", he also works for other artists. Together with Ralf Goldkind, for example, he produced Thomas D's second solo album "Lektionen in Demut". And.Ypsilon runs his own recording studio in Stuttgart.
Gitte Zschoch, Secretary General of the Institute for Foreign Relations
Gitte Zschoch has been Secretary General of the ifa since 1 October 2021. From 2018 to 2021, she headed the network of European cultural institutes in Brussels, EUNIC - European Union National Institutes for Culture. Prior to that, she held various positions at the Goethe-Institut: in Seoul, Tokyo, Johannesburg and at the Munich headquarters as deputy head of the communications department and most recently as founding director of the Goethe-Institut in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gitte Zschoch studied Comparative Literature at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich and Modern Korean Literature at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. She is also a member of the Advisory Board and Board of Trustees of Akademie Schloss Solitude Stuttgart and an expert member of the City of Stuttgart's Municipal Council Committee for Culture and Media.
Gitte Zschoch has been Secretary General of the ifa since 1 October 2021. From 2018 to 2021, she headed the network of European cultural institutes in Brussels, EUNIC - European Union National Institutes for Culture. Prior to that, she held various positions at the Goethe-Institut: in Seoul, Tokyo, Johannesburg and at the Munich headquarters as deputy head of the communications department and most recently as founding director of the Goethe-Institut in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gitte Zschoch studied Comparative Literature at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich and Modern Korean Literature at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. She is also a member of the Advisory Board and Board of Trustees of Akademie Schloss Solitude Stuttgart and an expert member of the City of Stuttgart's Municipal Council Committee for Culture and Media.
Experts from the field of science
Anja Bierwirth, architect and environmental scientist
Anja Bierwirth conducts research on municipal energy and climate protection policy, building energy efficiency and sufficiency as well as sustainable urban development. An architect and environmental scientist by training, she joined the Wuppertal Institute in 2008 and has headed the Urban Change Research Unit, which is part of the Energy, Transport and Climate Policy Department, for several years. She presents in various scientific formats what synergies between social and ecological aspects of building and living could look like, for example.
Anja Bierwirth conducts research on municipal energy and climate protection policy, building energy efficiency and sufficiency as well as sustainable urban development. An architect and environmental scientist by training, she joined the Wuppertal Institute in 2008 and has headed the Urban Change Research Unit, which is part of the Energy, Transport and Climate Policy Department, for several years. She presents in various scientific formats what synergies between social and ecological aspects of building and living could look like, for example.
Dr Steffen Braun, Future City Designer and Business Unit Director/Institute Director at the Fraunhofer IAO
Dr Steffen Braun is Deputy Director of the Institute and responsible for the Urban System Design research division at the Fraunhofer IAO in Stuttgart. His applied research focusses on the question of how cities and urban systems can be designed to be climate-friendly, open to technology and adaptable. He founded the Fraunhofer Morgenstadt initiative back in 2011 with the then Fraunhofer President, Hans-Jörg Bullinger. Since then, the initiative has contributed to the transformation of sustainable cities through hundreds of research and implementation projects in which administrations, companies and research work closely together. The current research focus of the 'Future District Alliance' innovation network, for example, is on researching and implementing innovative urban districts with new utilisation concepts and supply structures. Dr Braun is a member of the jury for the Stuttgart Climate Innovation Fund.
Dr Steffen Braun is Deputy Director of the Institute and responsible for the Urban System Design research division at the Fraunhofer IAO in Stuttgart. His applied research focusses on the question of how cities and urban systems can be designed to be climate-friendly, open to technology and adaptable. He founded the Fraunhofer Morgenstadt initiative back in 2011 with the then Fraunhofer President, Hans-Jörg Bullinger. Since then, the initiative has contributed to the transformation of sustainable cities through hundreds of research and implementation projects in which administrations, companies and research work closely together. The current research focus of the 'Future District Alliance' innovation network, for example, is on researching and implementing innovative urban districts with new utilisation concepts and supply structures. Dr Braun is a member of the jury for the Stuttgart Climate Innovation Fund.
Experts from the field of economics
Frank Augustin, Editor-in-Chief of "agora42"
Frank Augustin is co-founder and editor-in-chief of "agora42" - a philosophical economics magazine that has been published by its own publishing house in Stuttgart since 2009. The magazine focusses on economic and social issues such as growth, prosperity, progress, sustainability and justice. Augustin previously studied history and philosophy and then worked as an editor at the philosophy journal "der blaue reiter". The content of each "agora42" magazine ends with the "Horizon" section, which asks how the economy and society can be rethought and concrete changes brought about. Here, approaches are presented that revolve around a regional, ecological, crisis-proof economy that is freed from the pressure to grow and is more strongly orientated towards the common good.
Frank Augustin is co-founder and editor-in-chief of "agora42" - a philosophical economics magazine that has been published by its own publishing house in Stuttgart since 2009. The magazine focusses on economic and social issues such as growth, prosperity, progress, sustainability and justice. Augustin previously studied history and philosophy and then worked as an editor at the philosophy journal "der blaue reiter". The content of each "agora42" magazine ends with the "Horizon" section, which asks how the economy and society can be rethought and concrete changes brought about. Here, approaches are presented that revolve around a regional, ecological, crisis-proof economy that is freed from the pressure to grow and is more strongly orientated towards the common good.
Patrick Planing, Professor of Business Psychology / Head of GROUNDBREAKERS
Professor Dr Patrick Planing accompanies the transformation of the economy from various perspectives. He heads the GROUNDBREAKERS Start-Up Accelerator - a programme that brings start-ups together with established construction companies to help green ideas achieve a breakthrough. He is Professor of Business Psychology at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, where he specialises in the acceptance of new technologies, innovation management and strategy. Before his appointment to the university in 2017, Prof Dr Planing worked for 10 years at Mercedes-Benz AG in the Business Innovation and Business Development department. His last position there was as Manager Digital Transformation Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Professor Dr Patrick Planing accompanies the transformation of the economy from various perspectives. He heads the GROUNDBREAKERS Start-Up Accelerator - a programme that brings start-ups together with established construction companies to help green ideas achieve a breakthrough. He is Professor of Business Psychology at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, where he specialises in the acceptance of new technologies, innovation management and strategy. Before his appointment to the university in 2017, Prof Dr Planing worked for 10 years at Mercedes-Benz AG in the Business Innovation and Business Development department. His last position there was as Manager Digital Transformation Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Experts from the tourism sector
Bettina Countess Bernadotte, Managing Director of Mainau GmbH
Business administration graduate Bettina Countess Bernadotte joined Mainau in 2002 and has been Managing Director of Mainau GmbH since 2007, which she now runs together with her brother Björn Count Bernadotte. The tourism company employs 180 permanent staff all year round, including 30 trainees, and a total of 380 people during the flower season from March to October. The 45-hectare Mainau is one of the most important excursion destinations on Lake Constance. Bettina Countess Bernadotte received the Business Medal of Baden-Württemberg in May 2022 and was honoured with the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg in April 2024 for her social commitment, among other things.
Business administration graduate Bettina Countess Bernadotte joined Mainau in 2002 and has been Managing Director of Mainau GmbH since 2007, which she now runs together with her brother Björn Count Bernadotte. The tourism company employs 180 permanent staff all year round, including 30 trainees, and a total of 380 people during the flower season from March to October. The 45-hectare Mainau is one of the most important excursion destinations on Lake Constance. Bettina Countess Bernadotte received the Business Medal of Baden-Württemberg in May 2022 and was honoured with the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg in April 2024 for her social commitment, among other things.
Armin Dellnitz, Managing Director of Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH and Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH
Armin Dellnitz has been Managing Director of Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH and Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH for 15 years and has been successfully involved in the marketing and further development of the Stuttgart tourism region ever since. He has also held the position of Vice President of the German Tourism Association (DTV) since 2015 and has been Chairman of the Board of Magic Cities Germany e.V. for many years. Dellnitz studied business administration, specialising in destination and city marketing. During his professional career, he has already been managing director at other tourism companies such as Marburg Tourismus GmbH and Tourismus-Agentur Schleswig-Holstein GmbH.
Armin Dellnitz has been Managing Director of Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH and Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH for 15 years and has been successfully involved in the marketing and further development of the Stuttgart tourism region ever since. He has also held the position of Vice President of the German Tourism Association (DTV) since 2015 and has been Chairman of the Board of Magic Cities Germany e.V. for many years. Dellnitz studied business administration, specialising in destination and city marketing. During his professional career, he has already been managing director at other tourism companies such as Marburg Tourismus GmbH and Tourismus-Agentur Schleswig-Holstein GmbH.
Experts from the field of (urban) sociology
Dr Anke Schröder, architectural sociologist
Dr Anke Schröder is an architectural sociologist who heads criminological research in the Research, Prevention and Youth Department and is responsible for the Competence Centre for Urban Security at the Criminal Police Office of Niedersachsen (LKA). She is involved in German and European research projects. As co-founder of the Institute for Criminological Planning Consultancy and Socio-Spatial Process Support (IKS), she advises local stakeholders on urban security and crime prevention in urban development. Schröder is a member of various committees such as the DASL (German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning).
Dr Anke Schröder is an architectural sociologist who heads criminological research in the Research, Prevention and Youth Department and is responsible for the Competence Centre for Urban Security at the Criminal Police Office of Niedersachsen (LKA). She is involved in German and European research projects. As co-founder of the Institute for Criminological Planning Consultancy and Socio-Spatial Process Support (IKS), she advises local stakeholders on urban security and crime prevention in urban development. Schröder is a member of various committees such as the DASL (German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning).
Professor Dr Wolfgang Sonne, Professor of History and Theory of Architecture
Professor Dr Wolfgang Sonne's research focuses on architecture and urban planning from the 19th to the 21st century. He is Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund. He is also scientific director of the Baukunstarchiv NRW and deputy director of the German Institute for Urban Design. His academic career has taken him to ETH Zurich and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, among others.
Professor Dr Wolfgang Sonne's research focuses on architecture and urban planning from the 19th to the 21st century. He is Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund. He is also scientific director of the Baukunstarchiv NRW and deputy director of the German Institute for Urban Design. His academic career has taken him to ETH Zurich and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, among others.
Experts from the field of architecture/planning
Cem Arat, Managing Partner of asp Architekten GmbH
Cem Arat is one of five partners at asp Architekten. Together with Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur, asp Architekten won the urban planning competition for the Stuttgart Rosenstein masterplan in 2019. The Stuttgart-born architect therefore knows the urban development project like the back of his hand. Arat studied architecture at the TU Berlin, where he later lectured at the Institute for Urban and Regional Planning, specialising in urban development and housing.
In 2005, he was appointed to the BDA ("Bund deutscher Architektinnen und Architekten"). He has been a judge in numerous architecture and urban planning competitions. He is convinced that urban planning is crowned with success above all in dialogue with those involved.
Cem Arat is one of five partners at asp Architekten. Together with Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur, asp Architekten won the urban planning competition for the Stuttgart Rosenstein masterplan in 2019. The Stuttgart-born architect therefore knows the urban development project like the back of his hand. Arat studied architecture at the TU Berlin, where he later lectured at the Institute for Urban and Regional Planning, specialising in urban development and housing.
In 2005, he was appointed to the BDA ("Bund deutscher Architektinnen und Architekten"). He has been a judge in numerous architecture and urban planning competitions. He is convinced that urban planning is crowned with success above all in dialogue with those involved.
Professor Susanne Dürr, Professor of Urban Design and Building Theory
Susanne Dürr is Professor of Urban Design and Building Theory in the Architecture programme at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. Urbi-et, the interdisciplinary network for urban research and its practical application, is her professional platform. Her research focusses on cross-scale connections between architecture and urban development. Publications such as "Wohnoptionen" and "Wohnvielfalt" together with the Wüstenrot Foundation and the housing sociologist Gerd Kuhn illustrate the focus on future-oriented forms of housing and living and co-creative processes between flats, houses and sustainable neighbourhood development. She is active in the field of quality control, design advisory boards, competitions, award, workshop or building community selection processes. She has been Vice President of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects since 2018.
Susanne Dürr is Professor of Urban Design and Building Theory in the Architecture programme at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. Urbi-et, the interdisciplinary network for urban research and its practical application, is her professional platform. Her research focusses on cross-scale connections between architecture and urban development. Publications such as "Wohnoptionen" and "Wohnvielfalt" together with the Wüstenrot Foundation and the housing sociologist Gerd Kuhn illustrate the focus on future-oriented forms of housing and living and co-creative processes between flats, houses and sustainable neighbourhood development. She is active in the field of quality control, design advisory boards, competitions, award, workshop or building community selection processes. She has been Vice President of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects since 2018.
Experts from the field of (building) ecology
Professor Dr Leonie Fischer, Professor of Landscape Planning and Ecology
Professor Dr Leonie Fischer's scientific focus is particularly on the ecology of habitats that are influenced by humans. Urban ecology and the renaturalisation and management of urban ecosystems play an important role here. A fundamental component of her research work is its practical orientation. Fischer is Professor of Landscape Planning and Ecology at the University of Stuttgart. She studied landscape planning/landscape architecture at the Technical University (TU) Berlin, where she worked as a research assistant in the Department of Ecosystem Science/Plant Ecology from 2011 to 2019. In 2012, she completed her doctorate on the topic " City meadows: Biodiversity patterns and renaturalisation potential".
Professor Dr Leonie Fischer's scientific focus is particularly on the ecology of habitats that are influenced by humans. Urban ecology and the renaturalisation and management of urban ecosystems play an important role here. A fundamental component of her research work is its practical orientation. Fischer is Professor of Landscape Planning and Ecology at the University of Stuttgart. She studied landscape planning/landscape architecture at the Technical University (TU) Berlin, where she worked as a research assistant in the Department of Ecosystem Science/Plant Ecology from 2011 to 2019. In 2012, she completed her doctorate on the topic " City meadows: Biodiversity patterns and renaturalisation potential".
Dieter Grau, landscape architect
Dieter Grau is a partner of the international design studio Henning Larsen, founded in Copenhagen. Here he continues the work of Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl as a specialist in 'water-sensitive urban planning'. As a landscape architect, Grau is an expert in the conception and realisation of themes that deal with sustainable and liveable urban spaces. Grau has designed several city squares and developed city-wide concepts in cities in Europe, Asia and the USA. Henning Larsen employs more than 800 people in eight countries. The teams develop resilient future scenarios and attach great importance to the quality of detail.
Dieter Grau is a partner of the international design studio Henning Larsen, founded in Copenhagen. Here he continues the work of Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl as a specialist in 'water-sensitive urban planning'. As a landscape architect, Grau is an expert in the conception and realisation of themes that deal with sustainable and liveable urban spaces. Grau has designed several city squares and developed city-wide concepts in cities in Europe, Asia and the USA. Henning Larsen employs more than 800 people in eight countries. The teams develop resilient future scenarios and attach great importance to the quality of detail.
Mayors of the City of Stuttgart
Mayor Peter Pätzold
Department of Urban Development, Housing and Environment
Department of Urban Development, Housing and Environment