Alexander Schmidt Workshop leader

Founder & CEO
BABLE Smart Cities

Dr. Haris Piplas Workshop leader

Leading Consultant
Drees & Sommer

Dr. Haris Piplas is author and collaborator of several urban and architectural projects, among others area development for in Zürich-Kloten, Climate Adaptation Strategy for the city of Mannheim, Smart City and Urban Innovation Strategy for Jakarta, Urban Reconstruction of Ukrainian cities, Spatial Plan for Basel-East, Neighbourhood Transformation Concepts in Berlin, Sustainable Urban Development for six Indian cities, Reactivate Sarajevo Urban Transformation Project, among others.

He figures as head of Drees&Sommer's "Integrated Urban Solutions" International innovation division, which brings together knowledge in the fields of urban planning, energy and water management, mobility, real estate economics, architecture and public space in integrated complex transformation projects.

Haris Piplas holds a Dr.sc. in Architecture from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) where he figures as Lecturer in practice at in Spatial Transformations (ETH RAUM), as well as at Stuttgart Technical University (Smart City Solutions).

He is co-author of the book "Global Urban Toolbox" and “City Action Lab”, which highlight spatial and infrastructural challenges under the influence of economic, social, and ecological aspects in cities.

He figured as pavilion curator of the 15th Architecture Biennale in Venice. He is the former Young Leader Chairman of the Urban Land Institute Switzerland, nominator of the Aga Khan Prize for Architecture, Juror of the New European Bauhaus Award and the ULI European Leadership Award. He figured as an expert adviser and consultant for various international organizations such as WEF Davos Baukultur Alliance, IPBES, GIZ and UN-Habitat.