CBF (Christian) Nolf, PhD

I am a Lecturer in the Group Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning at Wageningen University since September 2021. 

As a multidisciplinary spatial designer and researcher, I use historical analysis, interpretive mapping and designing / visioning to investigate the capacity of urbanized regions to adapt to emerging challenges.

I have applied this approach to deltaic megaregions facing urban and water management issues, including the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, the Mekong delta, and the Yangtze River delta. By extension, I have been developing a growing interest in the origin and evolution of cultural landscapes in Europe and China - including investigations on alternative forms of heritage conservation and regeneration.

My methods combine research and education and involve the organization of interdisciplinary design studios and co-productive workshops around pilot projects. Since 2010, I have led more than 35 studios and (co-) organized more than 10 international design workshops in collaboration with public administrations and agencies. 

My work has been supported by external funding sources (including a national Flemish FWO grant and a Chinese NSFC grant), exhibited and published internationally, and awarded with several prizes.

Before joining WUR, I have held academic positions in Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China (Program Director of the MSc Urban Design, 2014-2021), Antwerp University (Lecturer in Architecture, 2013-14), and in the European Master in Urbanism (Teaching Assistant, KU Leuven, IUAVenezia, TUDelft, UPC Barcelona, 2010-2014). Since 2018, I am also an honorary visiting professor at the Institute of Landscape Architecture in Zhejiang University and since September 2023 a guest professor(part-time) in the MSc of Urbanism and Spatial Planning at KU Leuven.

I hold a MSc in Civil Engineering Architecture (2001, UC Louvain, Belgium_cum laude), an advanced Master of Urbanism & Strategic Planning (2006-2008, KU Leuven & UPC Barcelona_summa cum laude) and a PhD in Engineering _ Landscape Urbanism (2009-2013, KU Leuven).