Peter Head Closed Now

Early Life and Education

Peter Head was born in the United Kingdom in 1947 and developed an early interest in engineering and environmental stewardship. His childhood fascination with how cities and infrastructure systems worked led him to study civil and structural engineering at Imperial College London, where he graduated with honors.

From the outset of his career, Head combined technical expertise with a deep concern for environmental impact, long before sustainability became a mainstream concept. His early work in bridge engineering gave him a strong foundation in large-scale infrastructure projects, but he quickly moved toward integrating ecological principles into urban and infrastructure planning.

Professional Journey

Peter Head’s career spans decades of leadership in engineering and sustainability. He first gained recognition in the 1980s as a bridge designer, overseeing award-winning projects in the UK and abroad. However, in the 1990s, he shifted his focus to sustainable urban development, becoming a pioneer in the field.

In 2004, he joined Arup as Director of Planning and integrated sustainability into major infrastructure and urban projects around the world. He played a central role in promoting eco-city concepts in China and other countries, blending technological innovation with ecological preservation.

After leaving Arup in 2011, he founded The Ecological Sequestration Trust, a non-profit organization that develops tools and strategies for cities to transition toward circular, low-carbon economies. Through this platform, he has worked with governments, NGOs, and research institutions to tackle climate change, urban poverty, and biodiversity loss.

Key Concepts and Design Philosophy

1. Circular Economy in Cities – Designing urban systems where resources are reused, waste is minimized, and natural capital is restored.

2. Eco-Cities – Integrating renewable energy, sustainable transport, and green infrastructure into urban development.

3. Resilience Planning – Preparing cities for climate change through adaptive infrastructure and community-based strategies.

Major Works and Achievements

• Dongtan Eco-City (China) – One of the world’s first large-scale eco-city masterplans, integrating zero-carbon transport and renewable energy.

• BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) – Pioneering sustainable housing project in London.

• Global Ecological Footprint Models – Developed tools to assess and reduce environmental impacts of cities.

• Circular Economy Frameworks for UN and World Bank Projects – Applied systemic design to infrastructure planning in developing countries.

Awards and Recognition

• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to civil engineering and sustainability.

• Royal Academy of Engineering Silver Medal.

• Prince Philip Medal for contributions to engineering.

• Recognized as one of the world’s most influential sustainability leaders by the Guardian newspaper.

Approach to Sustainable Infrastructure

Peter Head promotes holistic systems thinking, in which cities are seen as living systems connected to global ecological cycles. His projects often:

• Combine low-carbon transport networks with walkable communities.

• Use nature-based solutions like wetlands and green roofs for flood control and biodiversity.

• Embed data-driven decision-making for energy, water, and waste efficiency.

Global Influence

His work has influenced sustainable infrastructure policies in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Through lectures and publications, Head has inspired a generation of engineers, architects, and urban planners to embrace regenerative design principles.

Vision for the Future

Peter Head envisions a future where cities operate like ecosystems, producing clean energy, purifying water, and supporting biodiversity while improving human well-being. He continues to advocate for global collaboration to address climate change and resource scarcity.