TEAM
LISTEN, LEARN & LEAP is a transdisciplinary collaboration, led by the Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London (UCL) in partnership with the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction (UCL), Ardhi University and the Centre for Community Initiatives (CCI) in Tanzania, Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) in Kenya, and ICLEI Africa. Our diverse team bring together fields of expertise spanning gendered and intersectional experiences of climate risk and resilience-building, participatory design, urban governance and informality, civil engineering, urban water and sanitation infrastructure and services, and community-driven NbS.
Project Lead, UCL
Jordana is an Associate Professor and co-Director of the MSc Urban Development Planning at the Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London. Spanning feminist urban geography, political ecology and gender and development, her research considers the intersectional trajectories of participation, displacement and resistance among low-income groups, associated with sustainable urban development, disaster risk management, and urban resilience-building. Jordana is the Project Lead and brings particular expertise on gender, intersectionality and participatory methodologies.
Research lead in Dar es Salaam, Ardhi University
Wilbard is a Professor of Urban Land Management, and the former Director of the Institute of Human Settlements Studies at Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam. Kombe has extensive consulting experience with institutions such as the UN-Habitat, the World Bank, the Danish International Development Agency, and Sida. His research focuses on urban land management, governance of informal urbanisation, and governance of water and sanitation in peri-urban, urban poverty and basic infrastructure services delivery.
Project Co-Lead, UCL
Pascale is an urban environmental planner and associate professor at the Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London, and has over 15 years of experience conducting research and consultancy work in the global south and Europe. She has expertise in water supply and sanitation in urban and per-urban spaces, adequate and equitable access to services and the sustainable use of resources, everyday trajectories of the urban poor and actionable knowledge supporting pathways out of poverty.
Nairobi Lead: research, impact and engagement, KDI
Regina is a Justice and Peace worker and Senior Community Principal at KDI Kenya, supporting community-driven approaches for a just public realm. She works through partnerships, capacity building, advocacy, and networking. As part of the Listen, Learn, and Leap (3L) project, Regina combines her passion for social justice and nature to promote environmental stewardship and inclusive solutions. She champions marginalized voices, especially women and girls, ensuring their active participation in sustainable, community-centered initiatives. Within 3L, Regina oversees all community engagement, provides academic and program leadership for gender and Human Rights-Based Approaches, and liaises with project and community partners.
Project Co-Lead, UCL
Priti Parikh, Professor of Infrastructure Engineering and International Development at UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, founded and directs UCL’s Engineering for International Development Centre. She leads research on locally appropriate water, sanitation, and energy solutions in low-middle income countries. With over 15 years of industry experience across South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the UK, including slum infrastructure design, she holds a BBOXX/Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellowship focused on smart solar energy access. Recognized among the UK’s top 100 influential academics in climate and sustainability and a top 50 woman in engineering, she serves on councils including the Institution of Civil Engineers, impacting policy and practice on infrastructure’s link to Sustainable Development Goals.
Dar es Salaam Lead: impact and engagement, CCI
Tim is a development engineer with a civil and water engineering background and a PhD from Loughborough University (2007), focused on a partnerships approach to improving water and sanitation services within informal settlements. He founded the Centre for Community Initiatives (CCI) in 2005 and works with communities to achieve holistic development.
Project Co-Lead, KDI
Joe is a Founding Principal of KDI and a researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Joe co-directs KDI across the four offices and leads the organisation’s global research and impact work. A chartered civil engineer and planner, he is passionate about the joint application of science and local knowledge to develop responsive and sustainable infrastructure projects from the frontiers of climate action.
He has over twenty years of professional experience in infrastructure planning; design and delivery of water, wastewater, and drainage systems; and participatory design and engineering projects in both rural and urban settings. Joe is a co-lead of the project and has helped convene the project team and research agenda building on KDI’s research and practice experience in co-building urban nature solutions with residents over many years.
Policy and scaling up Lead, ICLEI Africa
Ursula Wellmann has a background in Politics and Economics with a degree in Social Science, a Skills Development Facilitation certificate and a passion for the green economy. Supporting sustainable growth in both the renewable energy sector and Greentech manufacturing was a focus of her recent years’ work. Together with this, her passion for nature and biodiversity resulted in numerous projects implemented supporting decent employment opportunities within the Western Cape’s growing green economy.
Research Fellow, UCL
Bruna is an urban researcher and multidisciplinary designer that has been exploring the relationship between collective action, insurgent citizenship and policy advocacy to guarantee rights in urban peripheries. Her knowledge lies in participatory design, feminist research, emancipatory and militant pedagogies, drawing from long term work experience with community-based organisations fighting for rights in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. Her research approach focuses on intersectional perspectives, care practices, social and environmental justice. As a Fellow in the project, she works on data management and collection, project outputs, communication and engagement with partners and participants.
Research Fellow, UCL
Dasha is a design researcher, architect, and planner, working in the intersection of social and technical dimensions of urban challenges. She is a participatory design specialist, with more than 15 years of experience in various design processes focused on water infrastructure and public space development. She worked in research and practice in the UK, Indonesia, Fiji, Australia, Serbia, Netherlands and Belgium. Dasha’s focus in on nature-based solutions, co-designing with nature, playful methodologies and impactful design research. In this project, Dasha takes primary responsibility for the research design, data collection and management, co-design and output production.
Senior Researcher, Ardhi
Tatu is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Human Settlements Studies at Ardhi University. She has worked on universalizing water and sanitation coverage in urban areas in Tanzania, and on housing options and residential location choices in Dar es Salaam.
Project Co-Lead, UCL
Margarita, Deputy Director of UCL’s Engineering for International Development Centre and Lecturer at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, designs and applies innovative interdisciplinary tools for community engagement, developing sustainable, context-specific infrastructure solutions. Her research integrates gender, the built environment, and sustainability in infrastructure for vulnerable communities, pushing delivery boundaries in challenging settings through inter- and transdisciplinary work. Holding a UCL PhD focused on urban infrastructure and Violence Against Women, and an MSc in Engineering for International Development (UCL), her work bridges academia and practice.
Research Lead Nairobi, KDI
Mathews is a cultural and design anthropologist serving as a Research Principal at Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) Kenya. His work focuses on supporting under-resourced and historically marginalized communities in Kenya and South Florida, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and environmental justice, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), disaster and risk management, and the intersection of climate and health. In his role, as project principal at KDI Mathews provides leadership in research design, implementation, and dissemination, bringing expertise in ethnographic methods, advanced statistics, and geospatial analysis to the project.
Investigator - Ecosystems and Engagement, ICLEI Africa
Bongiwe is passionate about sustainability and social justice, holding BSc Honours degrees in Environmental Management and Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. With over four years of experience in Spatial Biodiversity Planning, Project Coordination, and Ecosystem Services research, her work mapping green and blue infrastructure cultivated her interest in integrated environmental management. She focuses on developing tools and products to mainstream biodiversity into development, land use planning, and informing policy.
Research Fellow, Ardhi
Florence is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Ardhi University, Tanzania. She has researched on environment related topics particularly, waste, sanitation in Dar es Salaam and climate change in the rural Kilimanjaro region. In this project, Florence will be working on co-designing and output production.
Researcher and Community Facilitator, KDI
A dedicated community development professional with a track record of empowering communities and driving sustainable change with over 5 years of experience. Skilled in community engagement, project management, research, and capacity building, Kezia has successfully led and implemented community engagement in numerous initiatives in diverse contexts including Public Space and Nature Based solutions initiatives in Nairobi’s informal settlements. She is passionate about fostering inclusive and equitable development, leveraging human-centered design approaches to address complex social and environmental challenges in the communities she serves.
Community Facilitator, CCI
Prudensiana is a Programme Officer at Centre for Community Initiatives in Dar es Salaam. She is a climate change specialist, with expertise in WASH initiatives and advocacy. With more than 10 years of experience in sustainable development and community engagement, Prudensiana is in charge of gender and social inclusion and co-design facilitation in the Dar es Salaam team. She liaises with project and community partners.
Project Manager, KDI
Sabrina Ohler, urban and regional planner and Planning Principal at KDI, leads research and planning projects focusing on informal settlement upgrading, community-led climate change adaptation, and integrating NbS and green infrastructure into urban development. Holding a joint Master’s from Ardhi University and TU Dortmund, Sabrina emphasizes contextualizing and co-designing NbS and green infrastructure through diverse stakeholder engagement. Her work addresses environmental challenges, creating sustainable solutions for vulnerable urban communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. As KDI’s 3L project manager, she supports all project components, overseeing project management, planning coordination, and partner liaison.
Researcher and Community Facilitator, CCI
Mussa supports data management and analysis for the NbS project and CCI-Tanzania. Holding a BA in Law Enforcement and an MA in Strategic & Peace Studies (University of Dar es Salaam), he also has professional certificates in quantitative (STATA) and qualitative (NVIVO) data analysis from UCL IGP and PROCOL. With eight years of monitoring, evaluation, and research experience, he has worked on projects related to NbS, climate change adaptation, early warning systems, prosperity, environment, sanitation, youth engagement, and sustainable development with organizations including the University of Dar es Salaam, ICRC, IPA, Laterite, Resurgence, and IIED.
Community Facilitator, KDI
Prisca, a Community Associate at KDI Kenya, is known for her energy and mobilization skills, driving improvements in societal living standards, financial stability, and women/youth empowerment. She supports community-based programs within KDI’s built projects, bringing experience in entrepreneurship, community engagement, and organization development. With specialist knowledge in connecting Kibera’s public spaces, Prisca joined KDI in 2016 after several years of volunteering and working with other nonprofits focused on community mobilization and youth empowerment. She holds a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Computer Training from the African Health and Community Programs.
Project Coordinator, UCL
Elizabeth is an experienced project manager with over 20 years’ experience supporting projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She has worked on projects in informal settlements in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Liberia and has expertise in monitoring and evaluation, sustainability and urban development. Elizabeth is the Project Coordinator with a focus on communications, reporting, contractual requirements and project finance and administration.
Site Engineer, CCI
Samwel John, a researcher at CCI, has focused on water and sanitation in Tanzanian informal settlements. He contributed to a clean water model involving community needs assessments, equipment purchase, and investment site selection, improving resident health, sanitation, and leadership skills. His study on unplanned settlements in Ilala, Kinondoni, and Temeke highlighted that 80% of Dar es Salaam residents live in such areas, facing water scarcity. Samwel also researched on gentrification in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, discussing community organizing challenges in high-density, high-value, tenant-heavy areas, and a policy brief on affordable sanitation challenges in Mji Mpya due to high water tables and construction costs.
Site Engineer, KDI
Franklin Kirimi, a Kenyan Landscape Architect with a JKUAT degree and PMP certification (Strathmore University), has over eight years of experience at KDI co-developing Nature-based Solutions (NBS) with at-risk communities. He specializes in urban public spaces within informal and refugee settlements across East Africa, integrating landscape design, green infrastructure planning, and NBS for environmental remediation, stormwater management, and equitable access to social amenities. As a NATURA Fellow at Pratt Institute’s SES, New York, Franklin explores participatory green infrastructure approaches, emphasizing justice, equity, and mitigating unintended outcomes in climate adaptation planning.
Research Assistant, Ardhi University
Richard is a community development practitioner and a Research Assistant at the Institute of Human Settlements Studies, Ardhi University. He has experience in primary and secondary social sciences research, and has worked with the Bank of Tanzania, Read international, Deposit Insurance Board and World Vision Tanzania. He is passionate about participatory community approaches and good governance in promoting socio-economic development.
Investigator – policy, ICLEI Africa
Ernita is a senior professional officer at ICLEI Africa. Following initial training in ecology and conservation, Ernita’s interests and work have focused on research and implementation in the fields of adaptive management, biodiversity mainstreaming and environmental stewardship across a range of ecosystems. She has a particular interest in social-ecological systems and approaches that incorporate biodiversity into urban planning and governance in developing country contexts. Ernita holds a PhD in Environment and Development and is a Research Associate at Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research.
Community Facilitator and Communications Officer, CCI
Given is an expert in environment, community empowerment, climate change adaptation, early warning systems, and resilience-building. With a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam, she has been working as a Communication and Advocacy Officer at CCI for three years. Her focus lies in fostering community-driven solutions to climate challenges and enhancing local resilience. In the 3L NbS project, Given serves as a Community Facilitator and member of the communication team.
Designer, KDI
Louis Chiteri, a Landscape Architect with a BA from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, is passionate about advancing justice and equity in urban development. He leverages design to address complex environmental and social challenges, creating inspiring and empowering community spaces. With over six years of experience, Louis is committed to designing and implementing community-led projects promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. He specializes in co-creating transformative public spaces through participatory design and integrating Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for climate adaptation, flood resilience, and equitable access to social infrastructure.
Construction Manager, KDI
Teresia Wanjiru Nduta, a passionate Construction Associate at KDI Kenya, has over six years of built environment experience. Holding a Construction Management degree from the University of Nairobi and project management certifications from the Kenya Institute of Management and Strathmore University, she specializes in community-led design and build approaches. Teresia oversees construction operations, coordinating designers, consultants, and teams, ensuring project implementation, site health, and safety. A champion of nature-based solutions in construction, she integrates ecological systems for environmental resilience and enhanced biodiversity. As a gender inclusivity advocate, she encourages women’s leadership in construction, transforming community visions into reality through participatory design, construction, and sustainable development.
Communications Officer, KDI
Annelyn Barbara is a communications professional, community worker, and events organizer dedicated to social change and human rights. With over six years of experience in communications and community engagement, Annelyn leads the communications department at KDI and supports community work and event coordination. She connects with nature by using communication to advocate for the restoration and protection of urban green spaces, fostering harmony between people and the environment. In this role, Annelyn will contribute to the project by supporting the production of communication outputs.
Landscape Architect, KDI
Jack, a chartered landscape architect with over 13 years of experience in global urban regeneration and community-focused projects in East Africa, is Senior Design Principal at KDI, co-leading the Nairobi office. Born and raised in Nairobi, he combines local knowledge with global expertise to address flooding, climate resilience, and urban inequality through participatory design, nature-based solutions, and sustainable infrastructure. He leads transformative efforts like the Integrated and Inclusive Infrastructure Framework (3iF) and public space projects in Kenya’s informal settlements, creating equitable solutions for people and the environment. He holds a Masters in landscape architecture and has been chartered since 2015 (UK).
Community Facilitator, KDI
Christine Wandera, Senior Community Associate at KDI, specialises in participatory research, urban governance, and social justice. She has over 20 years of experience working with and empowering communities in informal settlements and rural areas, including marginalised groups. She has significant experience in peacebuilding and conflict management, engaging with local residents, civil society organisations, local and international NGOs, municipalities and private organisations. Her aim is to contribute towards social justice and human rights justice. In the 3L project, she connects environmental issues with a focus on women and children, in order to explore nature-based solutions to address community challenges.
Community Facilitator, CCI
Theresia is the program officer and manager of the Tanzania Urban Poor Fund at CCI. She has more than 18 years of experience supporting community-led initiatives addressing the security of tenure, housing, and delivery of basic services in poor urban communities, supporting the Tanzania Federation for the Urban Poor and low-income earners in hygiene, water, and sanitation, climate change, land, housing and shelter, gender issues, and other initiated projects. She works on community mobilization, empowerment, research, NBS, Renewable energy, entrepreneurship, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation.