Ruben has been experienced in researching urban construction and renovation in an applied and evidence-based approach to improve processes and logistics becoming more sustainable and circular. He has a background in construction and engineering and has gained expertise in urban construction logistics, supply chain collaboration, sustainable urban development, circular building and construction.
He is a senior researcher at the Department of Management in the Built Environment at the Delft University of Technology. In addition he is a Professor of Building Future Cities at the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht in the field of sustainable and circular urban construction and development. He has obtained his MSc and PhD degree from the Delft University of Technology.
As a researcher and advisor to the City of Amsterdam he has worked in the city for many years, studying and improving construction processes and logistics in many projects, increasing sustainability levels, and reducing impacts of construction projects and logistics on the urban environment.
From his positions in practice, applied research and scientific research he bridges the gaps between these domains, initiates research projects, and brings together researchers, students and professionals in research activities.
In the projects he is leading and co-leading he aims for a balance between scientific robustness and empirical relevance. The research in itself goes hand in hand with developing new ideas and solutions to transform construction and cities to become more sustainable, circular and zero-emission.
Currently Ruben is leading multiple projects and work packages at AMS Institute including ‘Logiquay’ about efficient, sustainable and circular logistics for bridges and quay wall projects in Amsterdam, which is one of the projects in Urbiquay: Urban Bridge and Quay Wall Innovations (2022-2027); ‘Industrialized, Modular and Low-Emissions Highrise Buildings’ to reduce the environmental impact of logistics of urban highrise projects (2022-2023); and National Growth Fund project ‘Future Proof Built Environment’ aimed at improving circular logistics of urban infrastructure works (2023-2027).
“In order to transform cities into healthy and sustainable living environments in a future proof way, all urban activity including building and construction must become fully sustainable, circular and zero-emission. Both academia and practice need to collaborate to find and shape those solutions that will make this future happen, for the sake of all stakeholders”
Ruben Vrijhoef
Research Associate
