International jury
Winner selection process
Applicant projects for the AIVP Antoine Rufenacht Prize will be analyzed by an Expert panel, who will select the best entries based on the same analysis grid. These will then be assessed by a Grand Jury, which will select the winner after deliberation behind closed doors.
Two co-chairwomen
The chairmanship of the Prix AIVP Antoine Rufenacht has been entrusted to two personalities, each recognized for their expertise, know-how, and contribution to improving city-port relations.
Geraldine Knatz
Los Angeles (United-States)
Co-chairwoman responsible for the Grand jury
Geraldine Knatz is the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees at Altasea. Located in San Pedro, California, this project, currently in progress is transforming 35 acres of land in the Port of Los Angeles into an ocean-side innovation campus. Geraldine is also a Professor of the Practice and Policy and Engineering, a joint appointment between the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy and the Viterbi School of Engineering. She was the first woman to serve as the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.
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Carola Hein
Delft (Netherlands)
Co-chairwoman responsible for the Expert panel
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carola Hein is Professor and Head of the Chair History of Architecture and Urban Planning at Delft University of Technology. She is the founding director of the PortCityFutures program which investigates the evolving spatial use and design of port city regions over time. Carola is also the Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair and Water, Ports and Historic Cities.
Learn moreMembers of the Grand Jury
The Grand Jury will composed of 6 leading representatives coming from each of the 5 continents. They will come from the decision-making sphere (Mayor of a port city, Port Director, or Chairman) and/or be recognized for their expertise in adapting to climate change and/or sustainable development.
Hélène Chartier
Paris (France)
Urban designer
Hélène Chartier is the Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40 where she supports cities around the world to accelerate and mainstream sustainable and climate-resilient urban planning policies and design practices in their master plans. With C40, Hélène collaborates with world-leading cities, organisations, academic institutions, and businesses to accelerate inclusive climate actions.
Deborah Dearing
Sydney (Australia)
Urban planner and designer
Deborah is a recognized leader in Australia with over 35 years’ international experience in urban design, architecture, planning, and property development in both Government and private organizations, including 25+ years in management, executive, and non-executive board roles. Since 2023, she is a non-executive Board member of the New South Wales Port Authority.
Hoe Soon Tan
Singapore
Maritime Leader
Hoe Soon Tan is Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate & Strategy) at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) where he oversees the key functions of policy and strategy development, international relations, communications, finance and procurement, training, and legal. Hoe Soon is Singapore’s representative at various international maritime meetings, including those at the International Maritime Organization.
Gaetan Siew
Port Louis (Mauritius)
Architect and urban designer
Citizen of the world, former President of the International Union of Architects (IUA) and, avid world traveller (130 countries and 500 cities), Gaetan Siew is an international figure in the field of architecture and urban planning. Former member of the Board of Directors of Future Cities UK, he is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Africa Clean Energy Solutions, Special Envoy – UN Habitat, UIA ambassador at the COP and a member of the Chaire ETI Panthéon Sorbonne. He gives lectures around the world.
Jean-Baptiste Gastinne
Le Havre (France)
Politician
Jean-Baptiste Gastinne has been 1st deputy mayor of Le Havre since 2020. He is in charge of urban planning and environemental policy. He is also the 1st vice-president of the Le Havre Seine Métropole urban community, in responsibe for economic development, tourism, digital development, and innovation.
Members of the Expert panel
The Expert panel will play a crucial role in the award process. It will ensure that each entry is evaluated according to the same criteria.
Sébastien Dupray
Paris (France)
Head of Risks, Waters, and Sea Technical Division at Cerema
Sébastien Dupray is head of the Risks, Waters, and Sea Technical Division at Cerema, the only public organisation in France to cover all coastal, maritime, and river issues. As a member of the Expert panel, he will be taking a critical look at the solutions to climate challenges proposed by cities and port authorities as part of the development projects applying for the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht.
Hilda Ghiara
Genoa (Italy)
Professor at the University of Genoa
Hilda Ghiara is a specialist in maritime and port economics. She is also a Professor at the University of Genoa in Italy. She has contributed to developing the Port Center concept, a public interpretation center for port activities and trades. Port Centers activities are now experienced in some twenty world port cities. As a member of the Expert panel, she will provide expertise on the link between city development and port development.
Peter Hall
Vancouver (Canada)
Researcher and Professor at the university Simon Fraser in Vancouver
Peter V Hall is Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Academic, and Professor of Urban Studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He is also an associate member of the Geography Department. His research examines the connections between port cities, seaports, and logistics, as well as community, local economic, and employment development. The Expert panel will benefit from his expertise in city and regional planning.
François Kern
Marseille (France)
Architect and Urban designer
François Kern is the founder of Kern + Associates, a French architecture and urban planning practice he run with his partners Anne Lacazio and Matthieu Mercinier since 2004. Alongside Yves Lion, Architect urbanist, he worked to transform the port city interface of Marseille (France). The Expert panel will benefit from his expertise as designer of urban areas at the port city interface.
Eamonn O'Reilly
Dublin (Ireland)
Former Executive Director of Dublin Port
Eamonn O’Reilly was Chief Executive of the Port of Dublin between 2010 and 2022. He was also President of the European Sea Ports Association (ESPO) from 2016 to 2020. Eamonn is a well-known figure in the European port community. As Director of the Port of Dublin, he has made the port city relationship one of the strategic axes of the port’s development. The Expert panel will benefit from his expertise as former port Director.
Isabelle Vries
Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Senior Advisor
After 20 years with the Port of Rotterdam, Isabelle Vries now works for the municipality of Rotterdam, where she coordinates the development of the university campus. She also has her own design office. Her last position at the Port of Rotterdam was as development manager for the former Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) port area. As a member of the Expert panel, she will provide a specific expertise on the involvement of the port city community as a key element in designing sustainable urban project.