Jua Cilliers

Jua Cilliers is Head of the School of Built Environment, within the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at UTS. She is Professor in Urban Planning and currently also serves as the President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners.

She holds a 4-year professional degree (B.Art et Scien) and Master’s degree (M.Art et Scien) in Urban and Regional Planning, an additional Master’s degree in Economics (M.Com), as well as a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning.

She is a former finalist of the prestigious National Science and Technology Awards in South Africa and the Woman in Science Awards, and winner of the South African National Teaching Excellence Award. She is also the recipient of the 2024 NAWIC NSW Executive Leadership Award.

Currently she actively leads public workshops, symposia and industry training events to share her research expertise pertaining to the planning of sustainable cities, green-infrastructure planning, nature-based solutions and community engagement to enhance resilience and broader quality of life. With experience as chief investigator across Africa, Europe and Australia, Jua is unwaveringly committed to driving real change, shaping the future of our cities, and empowering the leaders who will inherit them.