The Team
Founding Partners
SEBASTIEN GOETHALS - 顾希
A city planner, architect and transport planning expert from Belgium, Sebastien gained global expertise over the past 15 years in the fields of urbanism, mobility and green infrastructure in Europe, China, Africa and North America.
He led key projects related to Transit Oriented Development (TOD), public transport and intermodality in Brussels, Shanghai, New York and Conakry (metro area transport master plan). Subsequently, he has advised municipalities and transportation service industries on MaaS, digitization, sharing and autonomous mobility and urban governance. In China, he was the author of several award-winning urban design projects (Ningbo and Jiaxing Green Belts, Hechuan Yulong New Town, Shanghai Street of Things).
He has worked as a strategic planning expert in infrastructure, transportation and data analytics for cities with: the European Union; UN Habitat; the World Bank; and local governments in China, Africa, Belgium and Canada.
ANASTASIA VELNIDIS BEELDENS - 韦安雅
A civil engineer and architect from Belgium, Anastasia is an expert on water sensitive city planning, environment and renewable energy.
Working with stakeholders from the private and public sectors in Europe, China and Africa, she has developed a ‘low impact’ planning and design approach with numerous projects such as Hechuan Yulong New Town, the Urban System Plan for Dalian 2040 (China) and the Strategic and Technical Energy Plan for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Dakar Airport, Senegal.
Trained in Integrated Coastal Management by UNESCO-IHE, Anastasia prioritises current and future climate challenges and existing natural resources when deploying urban and rural projects. Against the backdrop of increasing water related issues in the world, she develops solutions to adapt and poise cities to leverage natural cycles and resources, resulting in water sensitive urban design.
TUNAN MA - 马图南
Tunan Ma is an urban technologist based in Chengdu who promotes urbanism and innovation by utilizing artificial intelligence and computational tools combined with data analytics, dynamic mapping and multidisciplinary decision-making. He is developing the LinkLab and is working to artificial intelligence & technology for cities and communities. Over the years, he gained invaluable expertise in the application of data processing and analysis, multisectoral decision-making tools for territorial planning and dynamic GIS mapping.
Local Partners
Njeri Cerere
Based in Nairobi, Njeri has over 15 years of experience of urban planning and design in Africa and North America. She is the focal point Citilinks in Africa and focuses on Urban & Regional Economy and Competitiveness, promoting comprehensive and resilient approach to planning and development.
Co-founder of Naipolitans, an organization which focuses on the inclusive development of strategies for livable places and sustainable urban transformation in Kenya, she started her career at the Atlanta Regional Commission and is now portfolio advisor to PDM, an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network; and a consultant on various projects and programmes in the East African region.
PHILIPPE SCHOCKAERT
A Belgian architect based in Brussels, Philippe supports Citilinks development in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Since 1975, he has designed a wide range of residential and mixed-used projects. His design philosophy is based on a deep respect for the environment, and an inclusive human oriented approach. Since 2011, he has worked on several mixed-used complexes in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, and is currently engaged in the attainment of livable cities through high-quality architecture in South-Eastern Asia.
YUXIANG PAN
Yuxiang Pan is a landscape architect and planner based in Chengdu, with a holistic expertise in sponge cities, resilient community planning and public space design. Yuxiang combines his knowledge of local biodiversity with planning and design strategies for a healthier environment and design-based solutions at various territorial scales. He preciously contributes at multiple levels of Citilinks projects, from regional development planning to rehabilitation of rural and urban areas and green infrastructure design.
TRESOR KATEMBO
Tresor Katembo is urban and regional planner based in Kinshasa, and the focal point of Citilinks in DR Congo and Central Africa. Trained at the University of Johannesburg, Tresor has a comprehensive understanding of urban issues on the African continent, with a research and project focus on comprehensive planning for developing cities, energy and water, disaster prevention, data analytics and territorial governance.
Clients & Network
Get in touch with us directly
By filling out this form you agree to our privacy policy. We treat your data as strictly private and will never share any data with third parties without your consent. Please read our terms & conditions to inform yourself further about our working practices.
