Dirk Ahlers

Dirk Ahlers is a Senior Researcher and Research Manager at the Department of Architecture and Planning, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), within the Faculty of Architecture and Design. He leads projects such as ClimaGen, +CityxChange, NEB-STAR, and Re-Value, focusing on urban regeneration, climate action, and smart city initiatives. His work bridges disciplines like computer science, geospatial analysis, and urban planning to address climate challenges. He coordinates EU-funded projects and contributes to frameworks like the New European Bauhaus and the EU Cities Mission.

Education: PhD in computer science and geospatial analysis. Background includes postdoctoral research at the Data and Information Management group and roles in the Department of Computer Science, focusing on Urban Intelligence, mobility, and emission monitoring.

Research Interests: Urban Intelligence, Smart Cities, Climate Mitigation, Sustainability, Geospatial Analysis, and Information Retrieval. Projects emphasize data-driven approaches for urban transitions, carbon neutrality, and stakeholder engagement.

Grants & Projects: Key roles in ClimaGen, +CityxChange (completed), NEB-STAR, Re-Value, CrAFt, and others. Contributions to EU Smart City Marketplace and SCC1 Lighthouse Group strategies.

Labs & Teams: Involved with NTNU Smart Sustainable Cities group and initiatives like UBIMOB (data-driven mobility), SCIL (Smart City Infrastructure Lab), and FME-ZEN (Zero Emission Neighborhoods).