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Jeff Risom

/ Partner

As a partner, Jeff leverages in-house talent and expertise into new knowledge creation and ways of working. His multi-disciplinary background has shaped his cross-cutting holistic approach to all projects and opportunities. Jeff works with new and existing partners to expand Gehl’s core services, addressing the most pressing challenges facing people and communities today. Passionate about the relationship between human experience and design, Jeff believes in designing shared spaces with kindness and the ambition of inviting all life to thrive. Jeff also does yoga every morning but you wouldn’t know it if you’ve seen him do a downward-facing dog pose.

Office

Copenhagen

Expertise

Business development
Community engagement and deep listening
Urban health

Contact
jeff@gehlpeople.com linkedin.com/in/jeff-risom-66a41a1/
Helgoland winter bathing club, Copenhagen
Worth Square (Flatiron Building Square) New York
An active, linear public space is located along the escarpment making the scenic views of the larger mountain range accessible for all. Credit: Gehl/Atkins

Designing Oman’s future human-centered settlements in harmony with nature

  • Urban Design & Masterplanning
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
We believe the best way to embody new knowledge is through shared experiences and seeing it for yourself. Our masterclasses bring participants out into the field to hear first hand from people who are writing policy, implementing projects, and working with communities to improve social, health, and wellbeing outcomes. Credit: Gehl

Inspiring change makers through urban health masterclasses

  • Community Engagement
Gehl supported in positioning our client in becoming an open and collaborative leader on urban resilience, women and climate action in the Global South. Credit: Expo City Dubai

Conceptualising the first sustainable cities forum dedicated to the MEASA region

  • Place Activation
  • Community Engagement
  • Urban Strategy
Located at the centre of Copenhagen, the square is not only the symbolic heart of the city, but a key landmark that connects the city’s primary shopping street Strøget with the inner city. Credit: Gehl

Measuring the success of Copenhagen’s Town Hall Square redesign

  • Social Spatial Research
Broadway at Times Square in 2009, after Gehl worked with the City of New York and the Department of Transport on a major urban realm and bicycle strategy. Credit: Department of Transport (DOT)

Redefining New York City’s relationship with its streets

  • Place Activation
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Gehl

Delivering a people-first urban transformation in Saudi Cities

  • Community Engagement
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
The Amager ‘Buslet’ challenged current bus stop design by aiming to provide better protection against extreme weather and local air pollution, as well as more inviting waiting spaces set back from traffic lanes to encourage social interaction. Credit: Gehl

Exploring ways to minimize exposure to air pollution in Copenhagen

  • Place Activation
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Spatial Research
Local residents visit the temporary installations and taste the edible plants in the gardens, whilst they wait for their sustainable, healthy snack from the visiting food truck. Credit: Gehl

Encouraging healthy, sustainable food behaviours in Copenhagen

  • Place Activation
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Spatial Research
Photo courtesy: Novo Nordisk

Shaping built environments to nudge healthier everyday food habits

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Mike Stezycki

City making

Building Inclusive Urban Spaces: Engaging Youth in the Planning Process

Jeff Risom reflect on how an honest conversation with a group of teenagers in South London has opened his eyes to a new dilemma: the ‘agefication’ of our cities.

Credit: Nicolas McComber

Transforming San Francisco’s Market Street into a thriving civic center

  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Gehl

Redesigning UK’s first pedestrian-friendly shared street

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Buenos Aires City Government

Integrating Buenos Aires’ most iconic informal settlement

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Gehl

Life between buildings

Fostering Community Through Urban Kindness

Understanding the interplay between urban environments and human interactions, Senior Project Director, Jeff Risom, explains how cities look after us and how we can contribute to their success.

Diverse communities bathing at Bassin 7. Credit: Rasmus Hjortshøj

Bassin 7 public program to foster a vibrant and more connected waterfront

  • Urban Design & Masterplanning
  • Urban Strategy
People

A collective of urban change makers, data and social scientists, strategists, and designers

Our team is made up of more than 110 purpose-driven people from over 25 countries. We have varied expertise, backgrounds, and stories that shape who we are and how we show up.

Recognizing each our own strengths and weaknesses, we do our best work when we intersect, overlap, and stretch. We subscribe to ‘collaboration over competition’ within the organization, as well as with the partners and client groups we work with. All this to say, from CEO to intern, on good days, and less-good days, we simply strive to do our best to help create more equitable, healthy, and sustainable cities for all.

You’ll find us at our offices in Copenhagen, New York, and San Francisco. As our work takes us to new regions, we always adapt our practice to fit the unique culture and nuances of each place.

Everyone

Name

Position

Email

Office

A. Ghigo DiTommaso,
Team Director, San Francisco, Partner

ghigo@gehlpeople.com

A. Ghigo DiTommaso, Team Director, San Francisco, Partner

Team Director, San Francisco, Partner

ghigo@gehlpeople.com

San Francisco

Adam Eriksson,
Urban Data Analytics Expert

adam.eriksson@gehlpeople.com

Adam Eriksson, Urban Data Analytics Expert

Urban Data Analytics Expert

adam.eriksson@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Adriana Akers,
Senior Project Manager

adriana@gehlpeople.com

Adriana Akers, Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

adriana@gehlpeople.com

New York

Aja Jeanty,
Urban Designer

aja@gehlpeople.com

Aja Jeanty, Urban Designer

Urban Designer

aja@gehlpeople.com

Worldwide

Akana Jayewardene,
Strategist & Designer II

akana.jayewardene@gehlpeople.com

Akana Jayewardene, Strategist & Designer II

Strategist & Designer II

akana.jayewardene@gehlpeople.com

San Francisco

Albert Mørk,
IT Supporter

albert.mork@gehlpeople.com

Albert Mørk, IT Supporter

IT Supporter

albert.mork@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Alejandra Edery,
Project Manager

alejandra.edery@gehlpeople.com

Alejandra Edery, Project Manager

Project Manager

alejandra.edery@gehlpeople.com

New York

Alexander Spitzer,
Project Director

alexander@gehlpeople.com

Alexander Spitzer, Project Director

Project Director

alexander@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Amanda Gregor,
Senior Project Manager

amanda@gehlpeople.com

Amanda Gregor, Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

amanda@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Amira Badran,
Senior Project Manager

amira.badran@gehlpeople.com

Amira Badran, Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

amira.badran@gehlpeople.com

Worldwide

Andreas Michelsen,
Sustainability Lead

andreas-m@gehlpeople.com

Andreas Michelsen, Sustainability Lead

Sustainability Lead

andreas-m@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Andreas Røhl,
Mobility Lead

andreas@gehlpeople.com

Andreas Røhl, Mobility Lead

Mobility Lead

andreas@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Andrew Sime,
Intern

andrew.sime@gehlpeople.com

Andrew Sime, Intern

Intern

andrew.sime@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Anna Muessig,
Senior Project Director, Partner

anna@gehlpeople.com

Anna Muessig, Senior Project Director, Partner

Senior Project Director, Partner

anna@gehlpeople.com

San Francisco

Ashrita Shetty,
Senior Strategist

ashrita@gehlpeople.com

Ashrita Shetty, Senior Strategist

Senior Strategist

ashrita@gehlpeople.com

New York

Assar Swanberg,
Intern

assar.swanberg@gehlpeople.com

Assar Swanberg, Intern

Intern

assar.swanberg@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Astrid Marie Astrupgaard,
Project Manager

astrid@gehlpeople.com

Astrid Marie Astrupgaard, Project Manager

Project Manager

astrid@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Blaine Merker,
Senior Project Director, Head of Climate, Partner

blaine@gehlpeople.com

Blaine Merker, Senior Project Director, Head of Climate, Partner

Senior Project Director, Head of Climate, Partner

blaine@gehlpeople.com

San Francisco

Brett Merriam,
Project Manager

brett@gehlpeople.com

Brett Merriam, Project Manager

Project Manager

brett@gehlpeople.com

New York

Candice Ji,
Designer II

candice@gehlpeople.com

Candice Ji, Designer II

Designer II

candice@gehlpeople.com

New York

Carlota Pedersen-Madero,
Project Director

carlota@gehlpeople.com

Carlota Pedersen-Madero, Project Director

Project Director

carlota@gehlpeople.com

Worldwide

Caroline Kraft Hansen,
Student Assistant

caroline.hansen@gehlpeople.com

Caroline Kraft Hansen, Student Assistant

Student Assistant

caroline.hansen@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Cassandra Nike Erin Lundgren,
Intern

cassandra.lundgren@gehlpeople.com

Cassandra Nike Erin Lundgren, Intern

Intern

cassandra.lundgren@gehlpeople.com

Copenhagen

Join our team of change makers

As we grow, we expect more opportunities to join our team. Make sure to check our careers page for open positions.

Careers