Johan Van Reeth (°1972) graduated in 1995 as an engineer-architect (KU Leuven). He began his career as a scientific collaborator of the research group “Projectteam Stadsontwerp” of prof. Marcel Smets, where he coordinated the redevelopment of the station area of Leuven. In 1999, he obtained an additional Master in urban development and spatial planning. From 2000 until 2006, Johan was advisor on urban development of the City Council of Leuven. He led the planning department, was co-author of the city’s first Spatial Structure Plan and guided major urban projects like the Vaartkom area.

As a result of winning several urban design competitions in Flanders, Johan was in 2006 co-founder of the cooperation “BUUR | bureau for urbanism”. Today, BUUR, of which Johan is managing director, counts 55 collaborators. The team plays a leading role in Flanders and Brussels with regard to urban design, strategic planning and design of public space and infrastructure.

Through their project driven practice and collaboration with local and regional authorities, as well as private stakeholders, BUUR aims for a shift towards a qualitative and resilient urban and regional development. In particular, Johan is focusing on the leverage of a transition to a sustainable mobility. As the author of the pilot project “Regionet Leuven”, he’s initiating an intergovernmental collaboration to realize a breakthrough in the future development of the region. In Antwerp, Johan is one of the project leaders for the ring capping masterplan.

Together with a few friends, Johan developed “De Hoorn”, an urban hotspot in a monumental brewery in Leuven, offering space for co-working, meeting and celebrating. His professional spirit results as well in a societal engagement. Since 2017, Johan is vice-president of “Leuven2030”, a city-wide organization, aiming for a fair transition to a climate neutral society.