Iris Belle

Overview

Prof. Iris Belle is a Professor and Vice Dean of Faculty A/Dean of Studies for Smart City Solutions (SCS) at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences. Her career includes roles as Founding Dean of the German-International University Cairo's Faculty of Architecture (2019–2022), Leading Consultant at Drees & Sommer (2016–2019), and Assistant Professor at Tongji University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Shanghai (2011–2015). She holds a PhD in Geography from Heidelberg University and completed postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich's Institute of Historic Buildings and Preservation (2007–2013).

Education

• PhD in Geography, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg (2009)
• Postdoc at ETH Zurich's Institute of Historic Buildings and Preservation (2007–2013)
• Diploma in Architecture, Technical University of Karlsruhe (now KIT)

Research Interests

Belle's work focuses on Smart Urbanism, Sustainable Urban Development, and Smart City Solutions. She explores how digital technologies (e.g., BIM, blockchain) can transform construction practices and urban governance. Recent projects include analyzing Singapore's building stock sustainability, Tianjin's eco-city transition, and labor-intensive construction scenarios. Her research bridges architecture, urban planning, and environmental science to address global urban challenges.

Grants & Collaborations

Recipient of the Incubator Grant from Stadtmacher cn-d Platform (Robert Bosch Stiftung) for the Future of Living project (2017). Collaborations include the Future Cities Laboratory (Singapore-ETH Centre) and Tongji University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Affiliations

• Chamber of Architects Baden-Württemberg
• German University Association
• Friends of the HFT Stuttgart eV