Brian is the co-founder and the creative inspiration behind Group 44 Properties in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company is focused on urban renewal, both as consultants and as owners of a property portfolio. Since its inception in 2003 the company has redeveloped vacant and derelict inner city high-rise and industrial areas into highly sought after retail and commercial precincts. The property portfolio includes 44 Stanley (www.44stanley.co.za) - an 8000 m2 vibey retail precinct and the latest project which is Victoria Yards (www.victoriayards.co.za ) – a 30 000 m2 artisan development precinct. A major feature of these is the integration of not only the architecture but also the adjacent residential communities into the schemes. Originally from a photographic background, Brian has a particularly good eye for identifying the elements in a derelict site that need to be retained and enhanced to inspire the rejuvenation. He is highly regarded by the Heritage officials in South Africa.

Bianca Lubbers, an urban geography graduate, is working in the field of urban regeneration since 2006. Last 6 years in the role of housing and board advisor at The National Program Rotterdam South(NPRS). Before that she worked for the Ministry of Housing of the Netherlands on neighbourhood renewal and sustainable urban development programmes. Furthermore, since 2010 she lives in a formerly deprived 100 year old housing block in Rotterdam South that she and her neighbours redeveloped and renovated to high quality standards in a collective private commisionship (baugruppen). The National Program for the South of Rotterdam www.nprz.nl is a joint, long-term collaboration (2011-2031) between the Dutch national government, the city of Rotterdam, educational institutions, housing corporations, local business organisations, and local care providers. Together they work to offer a new and better perspective to the area, which is one of the most economically depressed and socially complex in the Netherlands. The ambition is to reduce the endemic disadvantage that affects many people in the area, and to bring the quality of life in South Rotterdam up to the standard of the biggest Dutch metropolitan areas. The collaboration has been organized into an ambitious ‘implementation program’.

Dan Ringelstein brings a unique perspective to his many accomplishments in urban environments around the world. As an architect, urban designer and planner, he is interested in the physical characteristics of a place and how planning, urban design, infrastructure and architecture can create a positive public environment. This is evident in the strong role he has played in getting complex projects of significant magnitude planned, implemented and built. As the leader of SOM’s European Urban Design & Planning Group, Dan directs projects which focus on the urban regeneration of our cities. Dan also guides and implements the urban strategy of architectural projects in the London office. Collaborating closely within a multi-disciplinary team, he assists in the development of all concepts with the client and specialist consultants. Dan has extensive experience in working in differing cultures and contexts across the world. His urban design and planning skills include working with regional authorities, city officials, public and private institutions, developers, specialist consultants and individual communities to deliver long-term visions. His architectural design skills include working with clients and consultants developing all phases of a project from the initial conceptual studies through construction.

Jamie Weinbaum is a real estate leader and senior executive with significant experience in multi-family and mixed-use development, including sourcing, acquisition, entitlement, and comprehensive oversight of design, construction, and lease-up through to stabilization. Mr. Weinbaum manages all development and construction activity at MidCity, an established Washington, DC area real estate firm. Prior to joining MidCity, Mr. Weinbaum served as COO of Ditto Residential, where he led all development activities as well as long-term strategic growth initiatives, and previously managed large-scale, mixed-use residential and retail projects at JBG Smith. He also has significant experience in the public sector, having served as Director of the DC Office of Zoning and overseeing projects on behalf of the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Mr. Weinbaum is the current Chair of ULI Washington and previously served as Chair of the Public Private Partnership product council. He holds a J.D. from the George Washington University School of Law and a B.A. from Wake Forest University.

Nicolas Bearelle founded Revive in 2009 with the ambition to provide a courageous answer to a societal demand for sustainable and lively neighborhoods by regenerating underused sites and preserving nature. Revive transforms urban brownfield sites into high-quality neighborhoods, realizing an economic, ecological and social added value. The team of 50 experts is working on a pipeline of nearly 2 billion EUR of sustainable urban regeneration projects in Benelux, Poland, Portugal and Italy. All projects are carbon free in use and masterplanned to maximize resilience. Revive has obtained a ‘Gold’ GIIRS rating and is a certified B-Corp for nearly a decade and nominated ‘Best for the World’ several times. In addition to the urban regeneration strategy, Revive is also one of the 3 founders of Inclusio, a social housing REIT which is to be listed on Euronext in Q4 2020. Inclusio is investing in social housing and facilities for disabled people. Next to the social housing sector, Revive also set up a Vicinity Affordable Housing Fund with the ambition to build an European platform. Vicinity builds on the values of providing carbon free, high quality new build housing and adding a technology and service layer to lower the full cost of living for its residents. Nicolas is also co-founder of WATT Factory, an accelerator hub for entrepreneurs focused on Smart Mobility, Smart Energy and Smart Buildings. Nicolas is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Belgian chapter and Co-Chair of the European Residential Council of Urban Land Institute, a global institution with the mission to provide leadership and guidance in the responsible use of land and the creation and support of thriving communities around the world.