The International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) is pleased to announce that Ms. Nina von Lachmann Steensen has assumed the role as Head of Secretariat in June 2019.

Expressing his contentment, IFHP CEO Morten Nielsen welcomed Ms. Nina Steensen in her new role:

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Ms. Nina Steensen in her new capacity in IFHP. Nina has relevant experience at international level, she has drive and grit, and she is powered by working for a greater cause. I am confident that she will engage members globally and contribute significantly towards further developing  IFHPs vision of better, safer and more inclusive cities for all.”

Ms. Nina Steensen is a polyglot Dane and has lived in various countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. She is an anthropologist with extensive experience in cross-sectoral collaboration and sustainable people-centred development, and has held strategic positions within the United Nations, bilateral development corporations, NGOs, a cultural institution and think-tank, as well as private corporations – and she has worked as an independent consultant. On becoming part of the IFHP, Ms. Nina Steensen remarks:

“I’m highly enthusiastic about being part of an organisation that has such an impressive history and has set such significant footprints. The IFHP introduced urban sustainability to the international scene long before it was a matured concept, and it has since impacted cities, neighbourhoods and communities across the globe for the better of all people. I take great pride in assuming this new role at a pivotal time for IFHP, and I will do my best to pursue the successful unfolding of the new IFHP strategy. I look especially forward to personally engage with members, together to divulge and apply the Social Cities Index, to co-develop other relevant tools for urbanization professionals and share solutions - all in the pursuit of more sustainable cities and better living for all.”

With a focus on sustainable impact, Ms. Nina Steensen’s hands-on experience counts the full project cycle. She has effectively led teams of professionals as well as volunteers, always maintaining a dual focus on process and results. As a person, Ms. Nina Steensen is eager to decode new settings and get to know new perspectives: she is fundamentally open and inquisitive and combines quantitative as well as qualitative analysis to generate new insights. She is a relations builder and thrives in seeing and realizing potential for synergy and impact.

Ms. Nina Steensen will manage the daily activities of IFHPs secretariat in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as liaise with IFHP’s global network of urban professionals on current and emerging projects within IFHPs three focus areas:

• Social Cities
• Housing for all
• Better housing and planning practices

To reach out to Ms. Nina Steensen, please send her an email at n.steensen@ifhp.org.