Who we are

oikos is a group of experienced researchers and practitioners specializing in urban development issues in the developing world and transition countries. Beyond the core group oikos collaborates with a network of professionals who have been working in the development field for many years and for numerous organisations and institutions. oikos provides a platform for realizing synergies building on the accumulated knowledge of academics as well as practitioners. The network ist linked up with major development institutions in- and outside Europe, NGOs and CBOs. Its academic base is the Habitat Unit at Berlin University of Technology (see www.habitat-unit.de and www.urban-management.de).

Our goals

Through our broad network and practical experience we try to contribute towards making the rapid urbanization process more sustainable and help counteracting the trends of social and spatial exclusion.

Prof. Dr. Peter Herrle
principal, senior urban development advisor, former director Habitat Unit TU Berlin

Prof. Dr. Sonja Nebel
urban development specialist, urban conservation, urban planning, upgrading, sustainable development, North Africa,Middle East, Asia

Prof. Dr. Astrid Ley
urban development specialist, urban governance, housing, upgrading, CBOs, NGOs, Africa, South Asia

Dr. Josefine Fokdal
urban development psecialist, urban governance, cpacity building, CBOs, NGOs, China, Southeast Asia

Susanne Kaufmann-Herrle
back office manager