Sophie May

Keynote speaker and urban developer

Sophie May is a graduate engineer (architecture) and urban strategist with a focus on: City centers, real estate and brand urbanism. The expert is convinced that strategically clever collaborations create cities worth living in.

Topics

City center development, real estate reuse, brand urbanism and urban placemaking

Profile

Sophie May is currently doing her doctorate on the role of consumer brands in urban development. At the same time, she advises and supports cities and municipalities in the Stadtmanufaktur cities and municipalities in city center development and in the strategic-creative reuse of large properties. All these activities are based on the idea of brand urbanism:

According to Sophie May, brand urbanism starts where traditional financing models no longer work: it creates spaces and projects that combine economic benefits with cultural added value. Because: “Public and private players in urban development can benefit from each other far more than is currently the case. Closer, strategically smart cooperation is the key to liveable, sustainable cities.”

In 2024, Sophie May received the Urban Future Young Leader award and is in demand internationally as a speaker and moderator:

“My talks not only provide knowledge, but also new perspectives. I want to inspire my audience to think differently about urban development – with fresh impulses, bold ideas and concrete food for thought for the future.”

Sophie May steht an einer Pinnwand und moderiert einen Workshop zur Innenstadtentwicklung

Links and information:

Request speaker
Learn more

Sophie May as speaker, moderator and author

Sophie May spricht in einem Plenum zur Stadtentwicklungsstrategie
Sophie May hält einen Vortrag zur Transformation von Großimmobilien
Sophie May steht nehmen einer Pinnwand und moderiert einen Workshop
Sophie May an einer Pinnwannd bei einem Workshop zur Innenstadtentwicklung
Fachartikel von Sophie May in Public Marketing
Soph
Request speaker

More about Sophie May

Experience

  • since 2023: Promotion on the role of consumer brands in urban development
  • since 2020: Dipl.-Ing. architect and project manager at the Stadtmanufaktur
  • Since 2020: freelance journalist in the field of architecture and urban development
  • 2020 to 2022: freelance work for the real estate consultant Colliers International in the field of Architecture & Workplace Consulting
  • 2016 to 2020: Collaboration in architectural offices, publishing and the UNESCO National Commission Uruguay

References

Download profile (PDF)

My drive

Cities fascinate me – their architecture, their growth, their social dynamics. I am driven by the question of how we can improve coexistence in urban spaces and what structures we need to make cities more sustainable and innovative.

My strengths

I bring together different perspectives – analytically, in a structured way and with an eye for the big picture. I solve complex challenges by creating connections: between people, disciplines and interests.

“It pays to think big. Visions that seem unattainable today can become reality tomorrow – if we are brave enough to pursue them.”

Sophie May, speaker and urban developer

Your event. Our expertise.
That fits!

Request speaker