Our People
GDA emphasizes diverse professional expertise, leadership experience and stakeholder inclusiveness to ensure balanced decision-making and organizational resilience. The Global Council consists of researchers from global scientific institutions, university professors, planners, architects, landscape architects, artists and other professionals.
List of Global Council (2026–2029)Presidium
Pietro Elisei
President of GDA, Former President of ISOCARP Email:president@gdaop.org
Francesco Bandarin
Former Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO , Former Director of the World Heritage Centre
Alexandre Caldas
Former Senior Official of the UNEP ,Former Chair of the UN-GGIM
Laura Petrella
Former Head of the Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat
José‑Luis Cortés Delgado
President of the International Union of Architects (UIA) (2021–2023)
Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha
Professor of Town and Regional Planning, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Executive Board Members(sorted alphabetically)
Daniele Vettorato
Practicing planner of EURAC,Former Director of the IuE and Founding member of the IUPF
Edward Denison
Professor of the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
Fan Li
Urban-rural linkages officer at UN-Habitat
Lei Mei
Professor of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of CAS
Monica Kuo
Professor of Chinese Culture University
Tong Xinye
Landscape Architect in URBANICA ,France
Wang Xiujun
Vice President of the West China Green Development Research Institute,Executive Director of YUANYE AWARDS Organizing Committee
Zeng Peng
Vice Dean of School of Architecture of Tianjin University
Board Members(sorted alphabetically)
Ali A. Alraouf
Professor of Architecture and Urbanism,Founding and Board Member of IUPF,Member of ISOCARP
Dong Tiantian
Vice Dean of School of Art of Southeast University
Dong Wei
Professor and doctoral supervisor at Harbin Institute of Technology
Han Hsi Ho
Admission Tutor and Lecturer of the University of Hong Kong
Hao Lin
Director of The Oval Partnership Ltd.
Huang Jianxiang
Vice Dean of Institute of Future Human Habitats, Tsinghua University Shenzhen
Li Yunyan
Vice Dean and Professor of School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University
Qian Caiyun
Dean of the School of Architecture, Soochow University
Rolf Schuett
President of the International Urban Professionals Forum, Paris
Song Yehao
Vice Head of Department of Architecture, Tenured Professor of School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Tawatchai Kobkaikit
Founder and General Manager of TK Studio, Thailand
Wang Guobin
Professor of Beijing University of Technology
Xu Jian
Executive Vice Dean and Professor of School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Yunnan University
Zhai Guofang
Professor of School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University
Zhu Ling
Head and Professor of Department of Landscape Architecture of Tianjin University
The Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) is the cornerstone of the Association, ensuring academic foresight, strategic alignment and global credibility. It promotes innovation, upholds ethical standards and enhances the Association’s reputation through expert oversight and guidance..
List of Academic Committee (2026–2029)Presidium
Francesco Bandarin
Former Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO , Former Director of the World Heritage Centre ,President of GDA Academic Committee
Laura Petrella
Former Chief of Planning, Finance and Economy Section and former Head of the Urban Planning and Design Branch at UN-Habitat,VicePresident of GDA Academic Committee
Pietro Elisei
President of GDA,Former President of ISOCARP,VicePresident of GDA Academic Committee
Monica Kuo
Professor of Chinese Culture University
Members(sorted alphabetically)
Daniele Vettorato
Practicing planner of EURAC,Former Director of the IuE and Founding member of the IUPF
Edward Denison
Professor of the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
Fan Li
Urban-rural linkages officer at UN-Habitat
Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha
Professor of Town and Regional Planning, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Lei Mei
Professor of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of CAS
Lü Bin
Professor of College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University
Song Yehao
Vice Head of Department of Architecture, Tenured Professor of School of Architecture,Tsinghua University
Zeng Peng
Vice Dean of School of Architecture of Tianjin University
As a non-profit organization, GDA is a membership-based association, with most ultimate decision-making power vested in its members. The Executive Committee manages and operates the Association on behalf of members..
List of Executive Committee (2026–2029)(sorted alphabetically)
Daniele Vettorato
Research Fellow of the European Research Institute,GDA Convener for Europe
Edward Denison
Professor of The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London
Fan Li
Project Coordination Consultant, UN-Habitat，Deputy Secretary-General of GDA,Secretary-General of GDA AAC
Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha
Professor of Town and Regional Planning, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa,Vice President of GDA
Monica Kuo
Professor of Chinese Culture University ,Executive Board Member of GDA
Pietro Elisei
President of GDA Former President of ISOCARP
Tong Xinye
Design Director of Urbanica (France),Deputy Secretary-General and Finance Director of GDA
Wang Xiujun
Executive Director of YUANYE AWARDS Organizing Committee ,Deputy Secretary-General and Chief Representative for Asia-Pacific of GDA
Secretariat of GDA
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