Steffen Lehmann – Architect of Sustainable Urban Futures

Dr. Steffen Lehmann, AA Dipl., is a visionary architect and urbanist whose career connects design excellence, interdisciplinary research and institutional leadership. As Full Professor with tenure at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he serves as Interdisciplinary Research Lead in ‘Urban Design – Sustainable Cities’. He is also the Founding Director of the Urban Futures Lab and Founding Partner of si_architecture + urban design.

With more than 30 years as a practicing architect, designer and urban researcher, and over 20 years as a full professor in higher education, Steffen Lehmann stands among the most prominent voices in sustainable urban development. His work focuses on advancing research and innovation in architecture and sustainability, strengthening student opportunity and success, and supporting economic development through urban regeneration.

Academic Leadership and Global Impact

As tenured Full Chair Professor and Research Lead, Dr. Lehmann oversees a broad range of activities across education, research, community outreach and collaboration. Since 2003, his leadership has generated more than $18 million in extramural research funding across diverse grant categories. His ability to build research capacity, attract funding and align strategy with measurable outcomes has had lasting institutional impact.

Working closely with governments and partner institutions, he was instrumental in establishing and successfully managing three research centers as Founding Director at the University of South Australia and the University of Portsmouth (UK). These centers created dynamic platforms for post-doctoral and Ph.D. researchers while providing continuous revenue streams and strengthening the universities’ international research profiles.

In 2022–23, he serves as Global Professor at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, further expanding his international engagement. He also joined the AIA Las Vegas Board of Directors, contributing his expertise to the professional architectural community.

In recognition of the international significance of his work, he was appointed in 2008 as inaugural chair-holder of the UNESCO Chair for Sustainable Urban Development in the Asia-Pacific. In this role and through various UNESCO design ambassadorial engagements, he has represented universities at the highest level and contributed to global policy conversations on sustainable urbanism.

Research, Publications and Thought Leadership

Dr. Lehmann is the author of 23 books and more than 500 research publications. His academic output has shaped debates on sustainable cities, architectural innovation and urban regeneration. As a scientific author and interdisciplinary researcher, he connects theory and practice, offering frameworks that cities, governments and institutions can implement.

He is frequently invited to serve in consulting and advisory roles at international, national, state and local levels. Organizations seek his expertise on urban and architectural sustainability, research strategy and long-term planning. His strong communication skills and ability to engage senior leaders make him a trusted advisor in complex environments.

Recognized globally for his academic excellence, he has received the Award for Teaching Excellence at the University of Newcastle (NSW), the Top 100 Global Leader in Education Award, and the KTH Stockholm Athena Award in 2021. These distinctions reflect his commitment to high-quality teaching, research-driven education and student-centered innovation.

Strategic Executive and Institution Builder

Beyond academia, Steffen Lehmann is a C-level executive with a proven record of driving transformation and delivering organizational growth. He brings deep expertise in strategic planning, program accreditation, research strategy, international partnerships, research collaborations and budget management.

His strengths include:

• Fundraising, obtaining, allocating and managing multimillion-dollar funding sources

• Faculty, school and institute planning with realistic and sustainable development models

• Building government, commercial and interdisciplinary academic collaborations across continents

• Leading campus planning and development for complex institutions such as colleges, faculties, schools and research institutes

As a strategic design leader and entrepreneur, he understands both the creative and operational dimensions of large-scale initiatives. He has consistently forged new opportunities and expanded international programs, positioning institutions for long-term success.

Book Steffen Lehmann for Your Event

When you book Steffen Lehmann for your event, you engage a speaker who combines visionary thinking with practical experience. His keynotes address sustainable cities, urban regeneration, interdisciplinary research leadership, higher education strategy and the future of architecture.

Audiences gain insight into:

• How to build resilient and sustainable urban environments

• Strategies for securing research funding and scaling innovation

• The role of universities in driving economic and social transformation

• Global collaboration models that connect government, academia and industry

Steffen Lehmann delivers content grounded in decades of research, practice and leadership. His presentations are informed, forward-looking and strategically sharp, offering clarity on complex urban and institutional challenges. For conferences, academic summits, architectural forums and leadership events, he brings authority, global perspective and a deep commitment to shaping sustainable urban futures.