Benz Kotzen

Dr Benz Kotzen is a Professor in the School of Design at the University of Greenwich, part of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences. With over 25 years of experience as a chartered landscape architect, his work bridges academic research and practical consultancy in landscape design, environmental impact assessment, and restoration ecology. He specializes in arid land restoration, aquaponics systems, and urban ecosystem design.

Dr Kotzen holds advanced qualifications including a PhD, Dip.LA, MAFA, and BAFA (Hons). His research emphasizes real-world problem-solving through innovative natural solutions, particularly in combining traditional and modern technologies. He leads the EU Aquaponics Hub and Desert Restoration Hub, and manages the Stockwell Street building’s pioneering green roofs exemplifying urban ecosystem services.

His recent research trends focus on advancing aquaponics for sustainable food production, including applications in extraterrestrial environments like Mars, and exploring fire safety regulations for urban green infrastructure. He has also pioneered integrating aquaponics into university curricula through initiatives like Aqu@teach. His work frequently intersects with policy development, such as EU regulations for organic aquaponics.

Dr Kotzen’s contributions extend to biophilic city design, emphasizing health benefits of urban green spaces, and climate-adaptive solutions for Mediterranean and arid regions. He has advised on numerous projects balancing ecological integrity with urban development, including innovative planting strategies in desert climates.