I am an architect, urban planner and political scientist. I hold a PhD in social geography from the University of Leuven (Belgium). 
My work and research focuses on the socio spatial dimensions of design and critical spatial practices in Europe and the Global South. My research interests are centered on the interrelationship between social processes and the built environment.  I have been working on (informal) dwelling and participatory upgrading, the challenge of design and planning in post colonial environments and also on the methodological and pedagogical challenges of a 'designerly way of knowledge production'.  Additionally I have an interest in the integration of real and virtual words and their role for architecture and urban design and planning education. 
I am a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Housing and the Built Environment and an expert on socio-spatial planning in the GECORO of Mechelen.