Urbanism is undergoing a generational shift. While established voices continue to shape policy, a new wave of young researchers is challenging conventions with data-driven, community-focused approaches. At the upcoming Urban Summit Brussels, five rising stars under 35 will present groundbreaking work on topics from tactical urbanism to climate-proof public spaces. These researchers combine academic rigour with on-the-ground experimentation, producing insights that are immediately applicable for city officials, architects, and activists. Here is why they deserve your attention.

Dr. Léa Moreau: Data-Driven Tactical Urbanism in Lyon

Léa Moreau, 32, is a postdoctoral researcher at the École Urbaine de Lyon. Her work focuses on how temporary interventions—pop-up bike lanes, street seating, pedestrianised plazas—can be evaluated using real-time data. In 2023, she led a study on Lyon's "rues aux écoles" programme, which closes streets around primary schools during drop-off and pick-up times. By analysing traffic counts, air quality sensors, and parent surveys, Moreau demonstrated a 40% reduction in NO2 levels and a 25% increase in walking among families. Her methodology is now being adopted by the city of Paris.

Moreau’s key insight is that tactical urbanism must be paired with rigorous measurement to win long-term political support. She advocates for low-cost sensor networks—total cost under €5,000 per site—that can be deployed quickly. At Urban Summit Brussels, she will present a toolkit for cities to set up their own evaluation frameworks. Her session is among the top 10 recommended for practitioners.

Mikkel Johansen: Climate Adaptation in Nordic Housing Estates

Mikkel Johansen, 29, is a PhD candidate at Aalborg University in Denmark. His research examines how post-war housing estates can be retrofitted to handle heavier rainfall and heatwaves without displacing residents. Johansen’s case study is the Gellerupparken estate in Aarhus, home to 7,000 residents from diverse backgrounds. Working with the housing association, he co-designed a series of “climate pockets”—small parks with permeable surfaces, rainwater harvesting, and shade structures—that cost an average of €120,000 each, compared to €2 million for conventional stormwater infrastructure.

Johansen emphasizes that climate adaptation must be socially inclusive. He found that involving residents in design decisions led to 90% approval for the interventions, versus only 40% in top-down projects. His keynote-style presentation at the summit will showcase how to replicate this model in other European suburbs.

Ana Rodríguez: Inclusive Mobility for Older Adults in Barcelona

Ana Rodríguez, 34, is a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Her work centres on how public transport and street design affect mobility for people over 65, who make up 20% of Barcelona’s population. Using GPS tracking and interviews with 300 older adults, Rodríguez identified that the main barriers are not distance but fear of falling, lack of seating, and confusing signage. She proposed a “15-minute neighbourhood” adapted for seniors: benches every 50 metres, raised crosswalks, and simplified bus stop information.

Rodríguez’s pilot in the Gràcia district reduced pedestrian falls by 30% in one year. She calculates that retrofitting a typical intersection costs around €15,000—far less than the medical costs of a single hip fracture. At the summit, she will participate in a panel on age-friendly cities. For more on networking with her peers, see our networking tips.

Dmitri Ivanov: Green Corridors for Post-Industrial Cities in Poland

Dmitri Ivanov, 31, is a research associate at the University of Warsaw. He studies how former railway lines and industrial canals can be transformed into ecological corridors that also serve as active transport routes. His focus is the Katowice conurbation, a heavily post-industrial region. Ivanov mapped 120 km of disused rail tracks and found that converting them into greenways could connect 15 districts, creating a continuous network for cyclists and pedestrians while boosting biodiversity by 60%.

Ivanov’s cost-benefit analysis shows that each kilometre of green corridor costs about €250,000 to build and €10,000 annually to maintain, compared to €500,000 per km for a new road. He has already influenced the Silesian Voivodeship’s 2030 transport plan. His talk at the summit will detail how to secure EU funding for such projects. The opening keynote will set the stage for his presentation.

Sophie Van der Meer: Participatory Budgeting in Brussels’ Poorer Neighbourhoods

Sophie Van der Meer, 28, is a junior professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She studies participatory budgeting (PB) as a tool for redistributive urbanism. In 2024, she evaluated PB processes in the Brussels municipalities of Molenbeek and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, where median incomes are below €15,000 per year. Van der Meer found that while PB increased civic engagement, it often failed to direct funds to the poorest residents because of low participation among non-native speakers and renters.

She developed a “PB Equity Score” that measures how well a process reaches vulnerable groups. Her recommendations include holding meetings in multiple languages, offering childcare, and using digital platforms with simple interfaces. One pilot in Molenbeek increased participation by immigrant women by 300%. Van der Meer’s work is directly relevant to Brussels’ ongoing PB reform. In an interview, the mayor highlighted her research as a model for inclusive governance.

Why These Researchers Matter Now

European cities face overlapping crises: climate change, aging infrastructure, inequality, and polarisation. The young researchers profiled here offer concrete, scalable solutions that are both cost-effective and socially just. They represent a new generation that is not afraid to challenge established paradigms—whether by measuring temporary interventions, retrofitting modernist estates, or redesigning streets for the elderly.

Urban Summit Brussels provides a platform for these voices to influence policymakers and practitioners. The organisers have deliberately scheduled their sessions to avoid overlaps, so attendees can see all five. For a full schedule, check our complete guide.

How to Engage with Their Work

All five researchers will be available during the summit’s poster sessions and networking breaks. They have also published open-access papers and toolkits:

  • Léa Moreau’s “Tactical Urbanism Evaluation Toolkit” (2024) – free download from the École Urbaine de Lyon website.
  • Mikkel Johansen’s “Climate Pockets Design Manual” (2024) – available via Aalborg University Press.
  • Ana Rodríguez’s “Senior Mobility Audit” app – prototype can be tested at the summit.
  • Dmitri Ivanov’s “Green Corridor Feasibility Model” – an interactive GIS tool shared on GitHub.
  • Sophie Van der Meer’s “PB Equity Score” – a spreadsheet template for municipalities.

These resources allow cities to start implementing ideas immediately. For more on getting the most out of the summit, see our networking tips.

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  • Interview with the Mayor of Brussels
  • Networking Tips for Urban Summit Brussels