Alice Charles, Director, Cities, Planning & Design, Arup and Board Member, Holcim Foundation Alice is a global expert in sustainable urban planning, urban regeneration, city design and housing. With more than 20 years’ experience spanning government policy, strategy, and design, she has worked with international organisations, governments, and the private sector to shape cities that are inclusive, resilient, and future-ready. As Director for Cities, Planning and Design at Arup, she focuses on cross cutting urban strategies addressing sustainability, climate change, resilience, mobility and affordability. She also focuses on the delivery of housing and urban regeneration projects. She also leads strategic collaborations with the UN Global Compact and the World Economic Forum and has been delivering global cities, climate, housing and urban regeneration work with the Earthshot Prize and C40. Her work focuses on advancing climate action, sustainable real estate, and innovative urban solutions that improves the quality of life for communities.

She is also a member of the Holcim Foundation, which is a global non-profit organisation founded by Holcim. It focuses on accelerating the implementation of design excellence in cities - translating bold ideas into built impact, beginning with a new partnership with C40 Cities.

Previously, she spearheaded the World Economic Forum’s cities and real estate initiatives, driving global dialogues on urbanisation, energy efficiency, and housing. She was an External Board Member of Ireland's National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) Planning Advisory Committee, an EU Presidency Environmental Officer with the Irish government's Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. She has worked with major engineering and real estate firms, including Jacobs and Avison Young.

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