Ruurd Gietema studied at TU Delft where he graduated in 2002 as urban planner. He was awarded the prestigious Maaskant Prize for Young Architects in 2000. In KCAP Ruurd holds responsibility for KCAP urban planning and design direction. He became partner in 2002.
With KCAP Ruurd pioneered a multi-disciplinary approach to complex design issues. As urban planner and partner Ruurd has extensive experience in the development of appealing new urban districts in former harbour and industrial areas, regeneration strategies and airport city development. He masters design led transformation strategies which are often based on transforming the status quo and a position as a productive dissident inspiring people to think together and different. He works from KCAP Rotterdam office on projects in the Netherlands, Europe, Russia and Asia.
Realized projects include the Hafencity in Hamburg, Europallee Zurich, GWL in Amsterdam and Red Apple in Rotterdam. HafenCity Hamburg received what is probably one of the world’s most important urban development and real estate Awards, the “ULI Global Award for Excellence”, at the 2013 Fall Meeting of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Chicago. The internationally renowned master plans for the high Speed Train district in Montpellier and the Neo Heysel in Brussels are in the process of finalisation.
With KCAP Ruurd has won numerous international design competitions such as Passia Bay in San Sebastian Spain, FredericiaC waterfront in Denmark, Neo Heysel in Brussels, Oz Nature in Montpellier, ScienceCity in Zurich and Minhang knowledge hub in Shanghai. Most recent success is the award in the international competition for Baoan Coastal city development in Shenzhen. Also the competition entry for Moscow International Financial Center was awarded this year.