Valerie Heesakkers

Valerie Heesakkers currently works as researcher and architect at Cityförster, Rotterdam. She graduated from Delft University of Technology in 2023 with a masters' degree in architecture. Her graduation research & design project focused on water safety in Dutch river landscapes. This sparked her interest in river landscapes, water safety and management. Before that she obtained a bachelor degree in architecture with honours also at TU Delft, including an exchange semester at Politecnico di Milano.

In June 2023 she joined Cityförster in Rotterdam where she contributes to expanding the Carbon-Based Design expertise, and develops related knowledge and expertise within the Cityförster team. In addition she contributes to architectural projects as an architect. Valerie leads the ongoing research Carbon-Based Urbanism, exploring carbon emissions from an urban perspective. She actively takes a role as an ambassador of that theme and participates in networks such as Platform Ruimtelijk Ontwerp by AIR and the Building Life group of Dutch Green Building Council. Before joining Cityförster, she gained experience at Gaaga Architects. During her studies, she worked as student assistant on an interdisciplinary research project at TU Delft, called Project Together! Also she worked as a tour guide at the Maasland Storm Surge Barrier (Hoek van Holland).