Christa Reicher | Architecture | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Christa Reicher | Architecture | Outstanding Contribution Award

Professor | RWTH Aachen University | Germany

Prof. Christa Reicher is a distinguished architect and urban planner recognized internationally for her expertise in urban design, cultural heritage, and sustainable spatial development. As the holder of the UNESCO Chair for Cultural Heritage and Urbanism at RWTH Aachen University, she plays a leading role in bridging academia, practice, and policy-making. She has contributed to shaping urban development strategies in Germany and Europe through her leadership in research institutes, advisory boards, and policy initiatives. Her work reflects a consistent dedication to the integration of cultural heritage into contemporary planning, making her a leading figure in resilient and future-oriented urbanism.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education Background

Prof. Christa Reicher studied architecture and urban planning at RWTH Aachen University and ETH Zurich, two of Europe’s most prestigious institutions for architectural education. She earned her diploma with distinction from RWTH Aachen, which laid the foundation for her academic and professional career. Her education combined theoretical knowledge with practical exposure to international urban planning challenges. Early on, she demonstrated a strong interest in connecting urban design with cultural, historical, and social contexts. This academic foundation equipped her with the interdisciplinary perspective that characterizes her later work in sustainable planning, urban heritage conservation, and spatial development strategies.

Professional Experience

Prof. Christa Reicher has built an extensive professional career in academia, practice, and advisory roles, marked by leadership positions at top universities and governmental institutions. At RWTH Aachen, she directs the Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism and has shaped interdisciplinary graduate programs. She has advised German cities such as Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund, as well as international urban development projects in Zurich, Vienna, and beyond. Her leadership extends to serving on high-level commissions, advisory boards, and expert panels, where she has influenced heritage management, high-rise developments, and post-industrial transformation strategies, including her pivotal role in the Rhenish Mining District transformation.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Christa Reicher has been honored with numerous prestigious appointments and memberships that recognize her contributions to urbanism and heritage. She holds the UNESCO Chair for Cultural Heritage and Urbanism at RWTH Aachen, underscoring her global recognition in these fields. She has been appointed to influential advisory boards by federal ministries and city governments, reflecting her expertise in both cultural heritage and sustainable planning. Her membership in renowned professional associations such as the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning and the Association of German Architects also highlight her status as a thought leader and respected practitioner in architecture and planning.

Research Focus

Prof. Christa Reicher ’s research focuses on the intersections of cultural heritage, urban design, and sustainable development. She investigates how historic urban landscapes can inform future-oriented planning, contributing to resilience and identity in cities undergoing transformation. Her studies address pressing challenges such as structural change in post-mining regions, the integration of cultural values into planning, and adaptive strategies for urban sustainability. By combining theoretical frameworks with applied case studies, she advances interdisciplinary approaches to urbanism. Her research contributes to global discourses on heritage management, urban resilience, and the sustainable transformation of cities and regions in response to contemporary challenges.

Publications Notes

  • Spatial strategy process 2038+ in Rhenish Mining District and the consideration of the intangible cultural heritage
    Published Year: 2025
    Citation: Not yet cited

  • Towards a Fluid Planning Approach in Germany: An Option for Social Fragmentation?
    Published Year: 2025
    Citation: Not yet cited

  • Heritage Impact Assessment Index Within Urban Development Context: The Case of Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan in Iran
    Published Year: 2024
    Citation: 3

  • Building block of a resilient model region
    Published Year: 2024
    Citation: 1

  • Future Landscape – Perspectives and Conservation Approaches
    Published Year: 2024
    Citation: 1

Conclusion

Prof. Christa Reicher has established herself as a leading authority in urban design, cultural heritage, and sustainable development. Through her academic roles, advisory positions, and research contributions, she has significantly influenced policy-making, planning practices, and scholarly debates in Germany and internationally. Her ability to merge heritage preservation with innovative urban strategies sets her apart as a forward-thinking planner. Holding the UNESCO Chair at RWTH Aachen University, she continues to shape the discourse on cultural heritage and urban resilience. Prof. Reicher’s career embodies a balance of theory, practice, and policy, ensuring lasting impact on urban planning and design.

Mr. Hao Zhou | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hao Zhou | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Graduate Student, Nanjing Tech University, China

Hao Zhou is a dedicated graduate student specializing in Architectural Design and Theory at the School of Architecture, Nanjing Tech University. With a keen interest in school architecture, his research focuses on the impact of architectural design and spatial configuration on the functionality and safety of educational environments. He has received significant recognition for his work, including the prestigious First-Class Scholarship twice and has published research in renowned SCI-indexed journals. Hao continues to explore innovative solutions that merge design theory and computational techniques to enhance school architecture. 🏛️📚

Publication Profile

ORCID

Education Background:

Hao Zhou is currently pursuing his graduate studies in Architectural Design and Theory at Nanjing Tech University. He has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and was awarded the First-Class Scholarship two years in a row, showcasing his dedication to his field of study. His passion for architecture and design has driven him to explore cutting-edge research areas related to school environments and public spaces. 🎓📐

Professional Experience:

Hao is a graduate student at Nanjing Tech University, where he contributes to research projects in the field of architectural design. His most notable involvement is with the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (2025), where he is exploring the relationship between architectural design and educational space. He also participated in projects that enhance the computational design approach to improving educational environments. 🏗️🔍

Awards and Honors:

Throughout his academic journey, Hao Zhou has been awarded the prestigious First-Class Scholarship twice consecutively, recognizing his exceptional academic achievements and commitment to his studies. His research paper was published in Buildings, a highly regarded SCI-indexed journal, and he continues to contribute significantly to the field of architecture. 🏅🎖️

Research Focus:

Hao Zhou’s primary research focuses on the role of architectural form and spatial configuration in school design. He seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for safety-oriented campus planning while applying computational design approaches to enhance the functionality of educational spaces. His work aims to create environments that foster safety, comfort, and effective learning. 🏫🖥️

Conclusion:

Hao Zhou stands out as a promising young researcher in the field of architecture, particularly in the realm of educational space design. His work combines academic rigor with practical applications, making significant contributions to the improvement of school environments through innovative design principles. His dedication to research and his continuous pursuit of excellence mark him as a leader in the future of architectural design. 🌟🔨

Publications:

Impact of Public Space in Primary and Secondary Schools Based on Natural Visibility Ratio. Buildings, 15(9), 1472. Link to article
Cited by: No citations recorded yet.

Kevin Moreno Gata | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Kevin Moreno Gata | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Kevin Moreno Gata is a research associate at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, specializing in structures and structural design. He holds extensive experience in developing innovative and sustainable building systems, particularly using naturally grown timber as a basis for load-bearing structures. With a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied research, Kevin contributes significantly to the advancement of engineering in the context of sustainable architecture and materials. 🌱🏗️

Publication Profile

ORCID

Education:

Kevin earned his academic credentials in the field of structural engineering, focusing on sustainable materials and construction practices. His academic pursuits have been complemented by his hands-on involvement in advanced research projects, contributing to the design and structural analysis of timber-based constructions. 🎓🔧

Experience:

Currently, Kevin is working as a research associate at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, in the Chair of Structures and Structural Design. He is involved in various groundbreaking projects that explore innovative and sustainable ways of utilizing naturally grown timber in construction. His professional experience includes securing prestigious grants and collaborating with international research teams. 💼🌍

Research Interests:

Kevin’s research is primarily focused on the structural analysis, design, and simulation of naturally grown timber elements for use in load-bearing building structures. His interests include circular design in forest construction, the use of advanced computational methods for timber structures, and the development of new techniques for sustainable and environmentally friendly architecture. 🌳📐

Awards:

Kevin has received research funding for projects such as “Naturally grown timber elements as basis for load-bearing building structures” from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and the Zukunft Bau Pop-up Campus Projekt grant from the Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR). His innovative research continues to gain recognition and shape the future of sustainable building practices. 🏆🌍

Publications:

Function-Oriented Applicability Evaluation of Technical Folding Based on Expert Knowledge
Published: 2024-12-08
Journal: Applied Sciences
Read more here
Cited by: 5

Building with Naturally Grown Timber: Circular Design in Forest Construction – A Pedestrian Bridge Case Study
Published: 2024-08-26
Journal: Proceedings of the IASS 2024 Symposium Redefining the Art of Structural Design
Read more here
Cited by: 10

Geometrical Analysis of Naturally Grown Timber for the Design of Load-Bearing Structures
Published: 2024-06-30
Preprint: Read more here
Cited by: 3

Generalised Scaled Boundary Isogeometric Analysis–A Method for Structural Analysis of Naturally Shaped Timber Structures
Published: 2024
Journal: Wood Material Science and Engineering
Read more here
Cited by: 15