Joachim Thiel

Dr. habil. Joachim Thiel is a Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Economics at HafenCity University Hamburg. He holds a Habilitation in Social-Economic Urban and Regional Research (2022) and a PhD (2003) from Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg. His academic career includes roles as Head of Strategic Development Unit at HCU (2006–2010) and interim Professor of Urban and Regional Economics (2008–2009).

Thiel's research focuses on urban future-making, mega-projects as innovation drivers, smart cities, and creative economies. Key projects include the German Research Foundation's 'Urban Future-Making' Research Training Group (co-leader) and 'Large-Scale Projects as Innovation Drivers' (coordinator, 2017–2020). He has extensively studied the London Olympics 2012 and the Elbphilharmonie project's impact on construction innovation.

Publications span urban policy, project ecologies, and socio-economic transformations. Notable works include 2022's 'Stadt als Standort – Stadt als Produkt' habilitation dissertation and co-edited volumes like 'Constructing Innovation' (2021). His work bridges urban theory, project management, and socio-economic dynamics.

Thiel is a member of the European Group of Organization Studies and Informationskreis für Raumplanung e.V. His research integrates transdisciplinary perspectives on urban development challenges and innovation pathways in metropolitan regions.