The People Rethinking the Built Environment Across Denmark
CEBE Organisation
A world under pressure calls for a fundamental shift in how we build. Civil engineers across Denmark have come together in CEBE to rethink the built environment within planetary boundaries. The programme brings together Aalborg University, Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark and the University of Southern Denmark in a shared effort to advance new scientific knowledge and solutions.
CEBE is a large-scale 10-year research proogramme supported by a DKK 1 billion grant from the Villum Foundation. We bring together leading research environments and disciplines to address the urgent challenges facing the built environment and to support a transition towards more sustainable practices.
Our organisation is designed to ensure clear direction, strong coordination and effective governance. The Advisory Board provides independent strategic insight, while the Steering Committee ensures overall alignment and programme direction. Research activities are coordinated by the Scientific Coordination Group and the CEBE Management Team and Coordination Unit oversees the day-to-day leadership and execution.
Together, this structure supports close collaboration across institutions and disciplines, driving a shared ambition to rethink the built environment within planetary boundaries.
Mission
To lead change in Civil Engineering by fostering new knowledge, accelerating innovation, advancing education, building research capacity and strengthen international collaboration.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee (SC) holds overall responsibility for the direction and management of CEBE. It sets the strategic direction, approves budgets, annual reports and funding decisions – and ensures the programme’s progress and quality.
The committee consists of one executive representative from each partner university and is chaired by provost Christine Nellemann, the Technical University of Denmark. It meets to review progress, address challenges and make strategic adjustments, supported by input from the Programme Director and the Scientific Coordination Group.
From left: Pro-rector at Aalborg University, Jesper Wengel, Dean Technical Sciences at Aarhus University, Eskild Holm Nielsen, Provost at the Technical University of Denmark, Christine Nellemann and Dean at the Faculty of Engineering the University of Southern Denmark, Henrik Bindslev.
Scientific Coordination Group
The Scientific Coordination Group (SCG) ensures alignment and coherence across CEBE’s research activities. It provides strategic scientific input, validates research directions and priorities and helps coordinate funding instruments and programme activities. The group is chaired by CEBE’s Programme Director and consists of scientific representatives from each partner university. These representatives act as key links between their home institutions and the programme, ensuring strong collaboration and alignment.
From left: Kasper Lynge Jensen, Head of Department of the Built Environment at Aalborg University, Hans Nørgaard Hansen, Head of Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark, Per Heiselberg, Programme Director CEBE, Søren Wandahl, Head of Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Aarhus University and Christian Koch, Professor, Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark.
CEBE Coordination Unit & Management Team
The Coordination Unit manages and supports the day-to-day running of CEBE and ensures that the programme operates smoothly across universities and researchers. It manages finance, communication, scheduling, open calls and reporting. The unit also facilitates meetings, workshops and conferences and helps ensure effective collaboration across the programme. The CEBE management team consisting of the Managing Director and the Chief Operating Officer, is a part of the Coordination Unit. Moreover, a Financial Officer, a Communication Consultant and a Program Coordinator is part of the coordination unit.
Advisory Board
The CEBE Advisory Board is an independent body that strengthens the programme through external input and critical reflection. It advises the Steering Committee and the Villum Foundation on the programme’s direction, coherence and scientific quality – and maintains regular dialogue with both to support informed decisions and continuous development.
The members: Professor at ETH Zurich, Walther Kaufmann, Professor at UWE-Bristol, Alice Moncaster, Associate Professor Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Leonardo Todisco, Executive Vice President at Niras, Mads Søndergaard – Jens Priergaard Nielsen serves as Secretary (Niras).
Researchers in CEBE
CEBE brings together a broad community of affiliated researchers from across the four partner universities, representing a wide range of expertise for the green transition of the built environment. Explore the full list of affiliated researchers and learn more about the CEBE research on our Research page.
A Villum Foundation Research Programme 2026 – 2035