Urban Partners, a leading European investor in urban development, announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Habeck as Senior Advisor. Dr. Habeck will take up this position on 1 August 2026 and will significantly contribute to the company's research activities. His focus will be on urban development and the strategy of mobilising private capital for the creation of affordable housing in growing metropolitan areas.
Dr. Jens Stender, Co-CEO of Urban Partners, emphasised that public-private partnerships are an integral part of the company's strategy. Dr. Habeck brings a wealth of experience and a track record in public service, particularly at the intersection of sustainability, affordable housing, and the private sector. His motivation to drive change and help shape a more resilient Europe aligns with the company's ethos.
Dr. Habeck stated that the success of current transformations would be decided in cities. Improving housing, public spaces, and infrastructure shapes social cohesion, sustainability, and economic strength. He sees his role at Urban Partners as contributing to this approach, which was described as patient, cross-sectoral, and focused on long-term value creation.
Contribution to Research and Expansion
In the future, Dr. Habeck will help shape Urban Partners' research and thought leadership role, building on existing publications such as “The Copenhagen Way” and “Unlocking Sustainable Urban Regeneration in Europe”. He will also continue the collaboration with non-profit organisations like C40 Cities and BloxHub, as well as industry partners such as Ramboll and Arup. Urban Partners, founded in 2005 as Nrep and headquartered in Copenhagen, manages assets of over 25 billion EUR.
Urban Partners' 20-year company history is based on the conviction that private capital can play a crucial role in solving complex urban challenges. The company acts as a strategic partner to municipalities across Europe and is committed to long-term responsibility and close public-private partnerships. It pursues a holistic, practice-oriented approach to urban investments to create long-term value for local communities and global investors.
Background and Future Projects
Before joining Urban Partners, Dr. Habeck served as Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action from 2021 to 2025. Prior to that, for over six years, he held offices as State Secretary and Minister President in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, where he headed the ministries for Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature Conservation, and Digitalisation. In these positions, he addressed issues of industrial competitiveness, energy security, decarbonisation, infrastructure investments, and the transformation of the built environment. He played a significant role in accelerating Germany's energy transition. His experience offers a perspective on how public policy, private capital, and long-term partnerships can contribute to the development of more resilient, sustainable, and economically dynamic cities.
This appointment underscores Urban Partners' European expansion, particularly in Germany. The company now employs over 36 staff across its offices in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. Recent investments include logistics projects in metropolitan regions and urban rental housing for middle-income groups in cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.
Urban Partners recently launched the Urban Partners Regeneration Fund (UPRF), an initiative focused on transforming large-scale brownfield sites into vibrant urban districts in Germany and Europe. Following its first closing, the fund comprised an initial investment volume of 650 million EUR, consisting of equity and co-investment capital. This fund is supported by strategic partners such as the Viessmann Generations Group and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Projects in the Nordic countries form the basis for its European ambitions. Copenhagen, often referred to as the most liveable city, hosts flagship projects such as the Ripple Residence in Nordhavn and UN17 Vi.
