Urban development today is challenged by growing climate pressures, limited resources, and increasingly complex governance, even as cities hold significant opportunities to lead on climate neutrality and sustainable growth.
Too often, investments rely on sector-by-sector approaches and outdated planning models, limiting innovation, multidisciplinarity, and broader co-production.
As cities grow, they require integrated approaches that navigate complexity and create lasting value for communities.
These challenges require expertise that brings stakeholders together, aligns investment, strengthens institutions, and helps cities move from vision to implementation.
OSLUM was founded to help cities do exactly that.
About OSLUM
We are an independent global advisory practice dedicated to sustainable urban and land management solutions. Combining technical expertise, innovative tools, and a global network of specialised partners, drawing on cross-sector experience, we support cities, governments, and development partners throughout the urban transformation journey.
Our work brings together global experience and local implementation to advance urban climate resilience, community-led placemaking, and sustainable urban development across diverse contexts. As a mission-driven practice, our focus is on helping our partners strengthen institutions, increase their impact, and create lasting change for cities and communities.
Our Mission
To help urban stakeholders deliver greater impact by connecting expertise, innovation, and collaboration to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures.
Climate Resilience & Low-Carbon Development
Helping cities adapt to climate change, reduce emissions, and plan the transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient urban futures.
Sustainable Mobility & Infrastructure
Designing and planning integrated, accessible mobility systems and infrastructure that improve urban connectivity, reduce emissions, and enhance quality of life.
Economic Development
& Local Value Creation
Structuring strategies and programmes that promote inclusive economic growth, unlock investment, and generate lasting value for communities.
Healthy, Livable Environments
Shaping places that enhance wellbeing, activate public life, and improve the everyday urban experience for the people who live and work in them.
Nature, Ecosystems
& Biodiversity
Integrating nature-based solutions and environmentally responsible planning to protect, restore, and strengthen the natural systems cities depend on.
Governance, Capacity
& Smart Cities
Strengthening institutions, building local capacity, shaping policies, and supporting cities in leveraging data and innovation to govern more effectively and deliver smarter urban outcomes.
© DDS+ &bogdan/Laurian Ghinitoiu
©Tini Cleemput
Meet Jens Aerts
Founder, OSLUM
Jens Aerts is an urban planner, engineer, and global development specialist with more than 25 years of experience shaping sustainable cities and regions across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Trained in Civil Engineering and Architecture at KU Leuven and Urban Planning at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, he has built a career at the intersection of urban planning, policy, climate resilience, land management, and regional development. Having managed large teams and delivered complex projects within international planning firms, public authorities, and as an independent consultant, Jens has contributed to a diverse portfolio of urban development, infrastructure, and resilience projects worldwide. He is regularly called upon to shape investment programmes, planning policies, and workshops that are grounded in sustainability, inclusion, and economic feasibility. Jens has also contributed to urban research, education, and global knowledge exchange. He is the author of UNICEF's landmark handbook on child-responsive city planning and has contributed to publications in leading professional and academic reviews, including the Journal of Public Space and ISOCARP’s Review of World Planning Practice. He has taught at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and contributed to research at various European universities. A certified Climate Adaptation Finance expert, Jens is a mentor at the Cities Forum Academy, a Thought Leader at PlacemakingX, and sits on the advisory council for the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across diverse contexts and urban projects worldwide, Jens founded OSLUM to integrate technical expertise, the latest urban innovations, systems thinking, spatial planning, ecology, and collaborative approaches to shaping cities.
Connect with him on LinkedIn or write to him at info@oslum.world
Jens Aerts is an urban planner, engineer, and global development specialist with more than 25 years of experience shaping sustainable cities and regions across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Trained in Civil Engineering and Architecture at KU Leuven and Urban Planning at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, he has built a career at the intersection of urban planning, policy, climate resilience, land management, and regional development.
Having managed large teams and delivered complex projects within international planning firms, public authorities, and as an independent consultant, Jens has contributed to a diverse portfolio of urban development, infrastructure, and resilience projects worldwide. He is regularly called upon to shape investment programmes, planning policies, and workshops that are grounded in sustainability, inclusion, and economic feasibility.
Jens has also contributed to urban research, education, and global knowledge exchange. He is the author of UNICEF's landmark handbook on child-responsive city planning and has contributed to publications in leading professional and academic reviews, including the Journal of Public Space and ISOCARP’s Review of World Planning Practice. He has taught at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and contributed to research at various European universities. A certified Climate Adaptation Finance expert, Jens is a mentor at the Cities Forum Academy, a Thought Leader at PlacemakingX, and sits on the advisory council for the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience across diverse contexts and urban projects worldwide, Jens founded OSLUM to integrate technical expertise, the latest urban innovations, systems thinking, spatial planning, ecology, and collaborative approaches to shaping cities.
Key Projects
Assessment of climate adaptation and environmental proposals for the 4th Call of the European Urban Initiative.
Client: European Urban Initiative (Executed as part of Ecorys)
Year: 2026
Technical assistance for the regional economic-spatial masterplan and urban centre masterplans for Jamrud and Landi Kotal.
Client: World Bank Pakistan
Year: Since 2019
City scoping and rapid assessment for urban adaptation and resilience strategies.
Client: Global Center for Adaptation (Executed as part of Sweco)
Year: 2021-2022
Strategic study on strengthening urban health resilience through nature-based solutions.
Client: Flemish Region (Executed as part of Sweco Belgium)
Year: 2021
Author of a global handbook on child-responsive urban planning.
Client: UNICEF
Year: 2018
Masterplan and public realm design for the transformation of Rue Neuve.
Client: City of Brussels (Executed as part of BUUR)
Year: 2013–2020
Development scheme and allotment plan for a mixed-use neighbourhood combining economic activities and housing.
Client: Citydev (Executed as part of BUUR)
Year: 2011–2015
Research Publications
Genk: Rasterstad. Public Space.
Unique Guangzhou : The regeneration of the city center. Plan Issue 6, ISOCARP.
The Amsterdam Healthy Weight Approach: Investing in healthy urban childhoods. UNICEF, City of Amsterdam-EAT.
Children Eating Well in Cities : A roadmap for action to support nutritious diets and healthy environments for all children in urban settings. UNICEF.
Green Blue Spaces as Building Blocks for Healthy and Resilient Living Environments. Flemish Government
Developing a Global Programme for Safer Cities: From design to implementation. The Journal of Public Space.
The Future of Asian & Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post-COVID-19 era. UNESCAP.
Shaping Urbanization for Children: Handbook on child-responsive urban planning. UNICEF
RE:WORK: Making place for industry, logistics and wholesale in Brussels, Reports on research by design. LoUIsE & SteR.
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Aerts J. 2025. "Developing a Global Programme for Safer Cities, from Design to Implementation." The Journal of Public Space 10, no. 1: 161–167. https://www.journalpublicspace.org/index.php/jps/article/view/1876
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Aerts J., et al. 2024. Transition Guide Social Neighbourhoods – Climate Resilient Neighbourhoods. Flemish Government. https://omgeving.vlaanderen.be/nl/transitiegids-klimaatwijken-sociale-wijken
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Aerts, J., and F. Gonzalez. 2022. Multidimensional Urbanism, Designing with Sections. Public Space. https://www.publicspace.be/en/ontwerpen-vanuit-de-doorsnede
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Aerts, J., C. Konijnendijk, et al. 2022. Handbook Green Blue Spaces as Building Blocks for Healthy and Resilient Living Environments. Flemish Government. https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/groenblauwe-ruimtes-als-bouwsteen-van-gezonde-en-veerkrachtige-leefomgevingen-handboek-voor-planning-inrichting-en-beheer
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Grant, Marcus, José Siri, Franz Gatzweiler, Carlos Dora, Jens Aerts, Sarah Nandudu, Alice Claeson, Pamela Carbajal, Nathalie Roebbel, Laura Petrella, and Thiago Hérick de Sá. 2022. "Supporting a Healthy Planet, Healthy People and Health Equity through Urban and Territorial Planning." Planning Practice & Research 37, no. 1: 111–130. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02697459.2021.2000144
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Aerts, J., M. Cook, G. Mews, G. Sebag, and A. Vosper. 2020. The Future of Asian & Pacific Cities: Transformative Pathways Towards Sustainable Urban Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era. UNESCAP. https://www.unescap.org/kp/2021/future-asian-pacific-cities
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Aerts, J. 2020. A Roadmap for Action to Support Nutritious Diets and Healthy Environments for All Children in Urban Settings. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/documents/children-eating-well-cities-roadmap-action-support-nutritious-diets-and-healthy
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Aerts, J. 2020. The Amsterdam Healthy Weight Approach: Investing in Healthy Urban Childhoods: A Case Study on Healthy Diets for Children. UNICEF-City of Amsterdam-EAT. https://www.unicef.org/documents/amsterdam-healthy-weight-approach-investing-healthy-urban-childhoods-case-study-healthy
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Aerts, J., E. Belpaire, A. Kyriazis, S. Malik, and G. Mews. 2020. "Physical Distancing, Children and Urban Health: The COVID-19 Crisis’ Impact on Children and How This Could Affect Future Urban Planning and Design Policies." Cities & Health. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748834.2020.1809787
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Aerts, J., M. De Paep, and K. Rycken. 2020. "Leuven 2030: Co-Creating a Climate-Neutral Future." In Review of World Planning Practice Volume 16: Post-Oil Urbanism. ISOCARP. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348607951_Leuven_2030_Co-Creating_a_Climate-Neutral_Future
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Aerts, J. 2020. "Shaping Urbanization for Children." World Architecture, 35–39.
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UNICEF-EAT. 2019. Making Urban Food Environments Fit for Children. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.cn/en/documents/making-urban-food-environments-fit-children
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Aerts, J., S. Tilner, and M. Dubbeling, eds. 2019. Unique Guangzhou, the Regeneration of the City Center. Plan Issue 6, ISOCARP.
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Aerts, J. 2018. Shaping Urbanization for Children: Handbook on Child-Responsive Urban Planning. UNICEF www.unicef.org/reports/shaping-urbanization-children
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Aerts, J., J. De Bruyn, and M. De Paep. 2015. Genk: Rasterstad. Public Space. https://www.publicspace.be/en/26-genk
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Aerts, J., N. Casabella, et al. 2014. End of Line: Combining Housing, Services and Infrastructures of Mobilities in Brussels. Reports on Research by Design, LoUIsE & Cosmopolis. https://www.academia.edu/103229668/End_Of_Line_Combining_Housing_Facilities_and_Transport_Infrastructure_in_Brussels
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Aerts, J., and J. Declerck et al. 2012. RE:WORK: Making Place for Industry, Logistics and Wholesale in Brussels. Reports on Research by Design, LoUIsE & SteR. https://www.louiselab.be/project/rework-making-place-for-industry-logistics-and-wholesale-in-brussels
-
Aerts J. 2025. "Developing a Global Programme for Safer Cities, from Design to Implementation." The Journal of Public Space 10, no. 1: 161–167.
https://www.journalpublicspace.org/index.php/jps/article/view/1876
Aerts J., et al. 2024. Transition Guide Social Neighbourhoods – Climate Resilient Neighbourhoods. Flemish Government. https://omgeving.vlaanderen.be/nl/transitiegids-klimaatwijken-sociale-wijken
Aerts, J., and F. Gonzalez. 2022. Multidimensional Urbanism, Designing with Sections. Public Space. https://www.publicspace.be/en/ontwerpen-vanuit-de-doorsned
Aerts, J., C. Konijnendijk, et al. 2022. Handbook Green Blue Spaces as Building Blocks for Healthy and Resilient Living Environments. Flemish Government. https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/groenblauwe-ruimtes-als-bouwsteen-van-gezonde-en-veerkrachtige-leefomgevingen-handboek-voor-planning-inrichting-en-beheer
Grant, Marcus, José Siri, Franz Gatzweiler, Carlos Dora, Jens Aerts, Sarah Nandudu, Alice Claeson, Pamela Carbajal, Nathalie Roebbel, Laura Petrella, and Thiago Hérick de Sá. 2022. "Supporting a Healthy Planet, Healthy People and Health Equity through Urban and Territorial Planning." Planning Practice & Research 37, no. 1: 111–130. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02697459.2021.2000144
Aerts, J., M. Cook, G. Mews, G. Sebag, and A. Vosper. 2020. The Future of Asian & Pacific Cities: Transformative Pathways Towards Sustainable Urban Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era. UNESCAP. https://www.unescap.org/kp/2021/future-asian-pacific-cities
Aerts, J. 2020. A Roadmap for Action to Support Nutritious Diets and Healthy Environments for All Children in Urban Settings. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/documents/children-eating-well-cities-roadmap-action-support-nutritious-diets-and-healthy
Aerts, J. 2020. The Amsterdam Healthy Weight Approach: Investing in Healthy Urban Childhoods: A Case Study on Healthy Diets for Children. UNICEF-City of Amsterdam-EAT. https://www.unicef.org/documents/amsterdam-healthy-weight-approach-investing-healthy-urban-childhoods-case-study-healthy
Aerts, J., E. Belpaire, A. Kyriazis, S. Malik, and G. Mews. 2020. "Physical Distancing, Children and Urban Health: The COVID-19 Crisis’ Impact on Children and How This Could Affect Future Urban Planning and Design Policies." Cities & Health. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748834.2020.1809787
Aerts, J., M. De Paep, and K. Rycken. 2020. "Leuven 2030: Co-Creating a Climate-Neutral Future." In Review of World Planning Practice Volume 16: Post-Oil Urbanism. ISOCARP. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348607951_Leuven_2030_Co-Creating_a_Climate-Neutral_Future
Aerts, J. 2020. "Shaping Urbanization for Children." World Architecture, 35–39.
UNICEF-EAT. 2019. Making Urban Food Environments Fit for Children. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.cn/en/documents/making-urban-food-environments-fit-children
Aerts, J., S. Tilner, and M. Dubbeling, eds. 2019. Unique Guangzhou, the Regeneration of the City Center. Plan Issue 6, ISOCARP.
Aerts, J. 2018. Shaping Urbanization for Children: Handbook on Child-Responsive Urban Planning. UNICEF www.unicef.org/reports/shaping-urbanization-children
Aerts, J., J. De Bruyn, and M. De Paep. 2015. Genk: Rasterstad. Public Space. https://www.publicspace.be/en/26-genk
Aerts, J., N. Casabella, et al. 2014. End of Line: Combining Housing, Services and Infrastructures of Mobilities in Brussels. Reports on Research by Design, LoUIsE & Cosmopolis. https://www.academia.edu/103229668/End_Of_Line_Combining_Housing_Facilities_and_Transport_Infrastructure_in_Brussels
Aerts, J., and J. Declerck et al. 2012. RE:WORK: Making Place for Industry, Logistics and Wholesale in Brussels. Reports on Research by Design, LoUIsE & SteR.
Captured By Jens
Each project is an opportunity to work with inspiring people, visit inspiring cities around the world, and see the potential for urban transformation. Being on the ground allows us to see, feel, smell, be surprised, and appreciate what no project brief can tell. This curated selection of pictures invites you on our journey along global cities and their communities.
