Haris Piplas

Dr. Haris Piplas is Leading Expert for climate-resilient urban development at Drees & Sommer. With a background in landscape architecture, environmental planning, urban design, and a doctorate in architecture and urban studies from ETH Zurich, he brings deep expertise in integrated urban solutions, district planning, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Haris has advised cities, regions, and organizations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, combining applied research, consultancy, and teaching in the fields of smart and sustainable city development. He is co-author of Global Urban Toolbox, a book exploring the economic, geopolitical, and cultural dimensions of urban and infrastructural transformation. His work focuses on creating future-ready, resilient, and people-centered urban environments by bridging technology, ecology, and design.

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, Climate Masterplan Plan for Basel-East, Neighbourhood Concepts in Berlin, Sustainable Urban Development for six Indian cities, Reactivate Sarajevo Urban Transformation Project.

Dr. Piplas is one of the initiators of the New European Bauhaus LAB “Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Neighbourhoods”. He figured as an expert adviser and consultant for various international organizations such as WEF Davos Baukultur Alliance, IPBES, GIZ and UN-Habitat.