Research Assistant
Johanna Westermann
Curriculum Vitae
Johanna Westermann is an urban designer and researcher working at the intersection of urban design, sustainable urban transformation, and participatory planning. She studied Architecture at Technische Universität Darmstadt, including an exchange semester at Istanbul Technical University, and completed her M.Sc. in Urban Design at Technische Universität Berlin.
Since joining the Habitat Unit at Technische Universität Berlin in 2026, she has been working as a Research Associate within the BMBF-funded research project PolyUrbanWaters (2019–2027), which explores polycentric approaches to the management of urban water resources in Southeast Asia. Her work focuses on the design and implementation of selected nature-based solutions in Sleman, Indonesia, through an interdisciplinary Design-Build Studio that connects research, teaching, and practical implementation.
Previously, Johanna worked as an Academic Research Associate at the Chair of Urban Design and Architectural Design at BTU Cottbus–Senftenberg, where she developed and taught seminars and design studios with a focus on urban design education. From 2022 to 2025, she worked as Research Associate and Project Lead at Bauhaus Erde, contributing to an international research programme on regenerative built environments. Her research interests lie at the intersection of climate and social justice and the development of inclusive strategies for urban transformation.
2018–2022
M.Sc. Urban Design
Technische Universität Berlin
2014–2018
B.Sc. Architecture
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Exchange Semester: Istanbul Technical University
Since 2025
Research Associate, Habitat Unit, Technische Universität Berlin
BMBF-funded research project PolyUrbanWaters (2019–2027)
2025 - 2026
Academic Research Associate, Chair of Urban Design, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Since 2025
Independent Researcher and Consultant
2022–2025
Research Associate and Project Lead, Bauhaus Erde gGmbH
2019–2022
Student Research Assistant, Habitat Unit, Technische Universität Berlin
2018–2019
Student Assistant, Urban Catalyst GmbH
Westermann, J., Schreiber, F., Hubmann, G., Friedel, E.-M., & Djaja, A. M. (2024). Building with Reused and Recycled Materials. 2nd revised edition. Berlin: Bauhaus der Erde gGmbH & Toni Piëch Foundation.
Westermann, J., Schreiber, F., Friedel, E.-M., & Gäth, C. (2024). Building with Bio-Based Materials. 2nd revised edition. Berlin: Bauhaus der Erde gGmbH & Toni Piëch Foundation.
Schreiber, F., Westermann, J., & Misselwitz, P. (2024). The Vision of a Regenerative Built Environment. 2nd revised edition. Berlin: Bauhaus der Erde gGmbH & Toni Piëch Foundation.
Dalrymple, M., & Westermann, J. (2024). "Tools for Water Resilient Urban Design and Planning." In PolyUrbanWaters: Issue 1 – Living With Water. Bonn: BORDA e.V.
Dekker, G., Gutterer, B., McNamara, I., Westermann, J., & Wilk-Pham, A. (2021). Responding to Urban Water Challenges in Southeast Asia. Bremen: BORDA e.V.