Manja Hoppe Andreasen

Manja Hoppe Andreasen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on urban expansion dynamics in rapidly urbanizing low- and middle-income countries, with extensive fieldwork conducted in Tanzania and Ghana.

Dr. Andreasen holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Copenhagen (2016) and an MSc in International Development Studies and Public Administration from Roskilde University (2011). Her academic journey progressed from PhD student (2012-2016) to Postdoc (2016), Tenure-track Assistant Professor (2018-2024), and currently Associate Professor (2024-present). She also served as a Visiting Researcher at Utrecht University (2018-2019).

Her research examines the motivations and logics of diverse actors in land transactions and property development in urban fringe areas, analyzing how governance arrangements shape unregulated urban expansion. Dr. Andreasen's work offers practical insights for urban policymakers seeking to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities, engaging with land formalization, settlement upgrading, infrastructure expansion, and climate change resilience. While primarily qualitative, her methodological approach integrates insights from multiple research traditions.

Dr. Andreasen's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on urban expansion dynamics in African cities, particularly examining flood risk intertwinement with urban expansion, land encroachment in ecologically sensitive areas, property as security for the growing middle class, and informal land markets. Her research spans multiple cities including Accra (Ghana), Dar es Salaam, and Mwanza (Tanzania), revealing patterns of urban transformation across the continent.

• Sapere Aude: DFF Starting Grant (2023)
• The Carlsberg Foundation's Internationalisation Fellowship (2016)

Dr. Andreasen currently leads the 'Urban encroachment' project (2024-2028) examining land-use transitions in ecologically sensitive areas in Accra and Dar es Salaam. Previously, she led the 'Climate Change Resilience in Urban Mobility' project (2018-2023) and participated in other major initiatives including 'The urban land nexus' project (2017-2020) and 'The rise of the African middle class' (2018-2019), demonstrating sustained engagement with critical urban issues in the Global South.

Through her work, Dr. Andreasen maintains strong collaborative networks with institutions across Africa and Europe, including the Department of Geography and Resource Development at University of Ghana, Institute for Scientific and Technological Information in Accra, and the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.