About
Thomas Stellmach is founder and director of TSPA in Berlin. Thomas is dedicated to helping cities become green, vibrant and prosperous, incorporating climate resilience and equity at every step along the journey. As both a leader and individual, he centers honesty, generosity, sharing knowledge and lifelong learning.
Having served until 2023 as the interim chair for urban design and urban studies at BTU Cottbus, Germany, Thomas has an extensive background in teaching and research on sustainable urban planning. Since 2001, he has held positions at renowned institutions such as the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam, the University for Science and Arts in Aleppo, Syria, and RISEBA University in Riga. In addition, he has led design studios and lectured at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Technische Universität Berlin, Academie voor Bouwkunst in Rotterdam, Strelka Institute in Moscow, and UPC in Barcelona. As a sought-after facilitator for planning workshops, Thomas has trained professionals and city leaders in countries including Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Rwanda, USA, and Saudi Arabia.
Recent examples of his work are developing plans for resilient neighbourhoods in Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as proposals for Berlin’s largest urban expansion and the strategic regional vision for Berlin-Brandenburg 2070, and the urban concept for Mekka’s future.
Thomas’s current work involves developing innovative approaches for redensification in German and American cities for the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior. As an expert for sustainable urban development, he supports UN-Habitat and has coordinated city extension and infill projects in the Philippines, Rwanda, and Mozambique to enhance urban resilience towards climate change. As part of the Horizons 2020 project UP2030, he collaborates with eight of Europe’s leading universities to strengthen the sustainable future of European cities.
In 2016, Thomas founded the housing cooperative urban coop Berlin, offering affordable housing solutions for the city. A member of the international organisation of planning professionals, ISOCARP, he was appointed in 2020 by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Michael Müller, to the Strategy Advisory Board of the recently completed Smart City project. He studied Architecture at TU Berlin and UPC Barcelona.
Qualifications
- V. Prof. Chair of Urban Design and Urban Studies
- Dipl. Ing. Architect AK Berlin
associations
- Member Architecture and Engineering Association Berlin and Brandenburg (AIV)
- Planning Expert UN-Habitat
- Founder urban coop berlin eg
- ISOCARP German Delegate
- Mayor’s Advisory Board Smart City Berlin
