NGA | Academy -

Learn to shape urban transformation

Next Generation?

Leaders & Shapers

Living and working in a supercomplex world with multiple crises, we want to support young professionals to gain confidence to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and to lead the many stakeholders that are part of sustainable urban development. We aim to facilitate international cross-sector and interdisciplinary exchange on urban transformation strategies and methodologies.

Cities

We want to make the city of the future desirable and attractive for everyone. Therefore we attach importance to concrete strategy and project work that adds real value to the urban society. We strongly believe in intersectoral and transdisciplinary social innovation designs that change urban life to more sustainability, quality of life, social justice, communities participation and creativity.

Education

We believe that our times require a new way of learning that is action oriented and fed with the necessary theory to understand the interconnectedness and particularities of the many professional fields that have to collaborate and to co-develop sustainable solutions. That is why we created a unique Educational Journey to equip young professionals to drive local transformation successfully.

our story

Our project started in Urban Future, an annual conference that brings together renowned and passionate change makers from all over the world to talk about sustainable urban planning.

2022

This year each one of us was selected to take part in the Young Leaders Programme of Urban Future, an exclusive further education format for young professionals that contribute in making cities around the world more sustainable.

We were really excited about meeting peers who not only face the same everyday problems and challenges, but also share the same passion and values, so after the conference, we kept working together.

2023

After a year of exhaustive work, we established the Young Leaders Academy, based on the effectiveness of shared narratives that give people ideas of how future urban life could look like.

Through our YL Online Academy we held virtual workshops to learn from each other, enhancing our experience through the individual expertise from our cohort. We also held our first live-event during Urban Future Conference in Stuttgart.

2024

After our first live event came the next chapter in our journey: the Next Generation Academy. With this fresh identity we aim to expand our network, foster collaboration, and create lasting impact, for change is only possible through collective action.

And the concept has been prooved: our first event with the NGA in Urban Future in Rotterdam was a full success! But far from resting on our laurels, the NGA team is ready to keep working hard for more.

Our founding team combines expertise in Urban Design, Architecture, Entrepreneurship, Sociology, Political Education, Democracy, Participation, Innovation Management, Place Making, Sustainable Mobility Design and low-resource Real Estate Development and therefore represents the interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach that we strive for with NGA.

our team

Antonella Bosio

With a background in architecture and urban planning, Antonella is always looking to contribute her expertise to projects that drive innovative solutions for enduring systemic transformations toward low-carbon cities. Seamlessly blending her experience in urban development and climate policy research, she represents the NGA collective at premier conferences and events, actively seeking impactful contributions that align with our mission for sustainable urban development.

Martha Marisa Wanat

Political entrepreneur, sustainable mobility consultant, author and speaker. Her book ‘Bewegt Euch. Selber!’, published in 2022, is a scientific, political and entrepreneurial manifesto for an ecosystemically thinking city of self-movement. As founder (managing partner 2016 – 2022) of the consultancy “MOND – Mobility New Designs” she is experienced in creating climate-neutral mobility concepts for housing, working & living, and was awarded many awards.

José Roberto Lagunes Trejo

Jose Roberto’s work is centered on reducing inequalities through the intersection of community development and urban design and the processes that strengthen social ties. He has participated as speaker and moderator in conferences in London, Berlin, Stuttgart, Washington and various cities across Mexico. In 2023, he was invited to share his journey as Fundación Hogares’ Research and Strategy lead on the “Intelligent Community Forum” Podcast.

Mathis Dippon

As Programme Manager of both the “European Capital of Democracy” and the international “ACT NOW” mayors network, Mathis develops political conferences and co-creates the annual “Democracy Year” with selected cities. The Innovation in Politics Institute based in Vienna aims to identify, develop and apply innovations in politics, it helps international leaders drive change. Mathis has developed a good understanding how leadership can impact local development.

our partners

We are proud to collaborate with a diverse network of partners who share our commitment to fostering sustainable urban development and empowering the next generation of leaders. From government agencies and municipalities to leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions, our partners play a vital role in shaping the success of our annual events and initiatives. Together, we leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to create impactful educational programs, facilitate knowledge exchange, and address pressing urban challenges.

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