Regine Ortlepp

A short description of your current job and involved tasks
Regine Ortlepp leads the research area Built Environment – Resources and Environmental Risks at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER). Her work focuses on making cities and buildings more resilient to natural hazards and climate change while promoting sustainable resource use. Together with her team, she develops tools to assess vulnerabilities, designs risk reduction strategies, and integrates circular economy principles into urban and regional planning.

Information on your education and training
Regine studied Civil Engineering at TU Dresden, specializing in structural engineering. She earned her doctorate in 2007 on textile-reinforced concrete and completed her habilitation in Concrete Structures in 2014. Alongside her research, she taught international master’s students in the field of Concrete Structure Design.

A short description of what interests you most in the field of natural hazard management and/or DRR
Her main interest lies in enhancing the resilience of buildings and cities to natural hazards while conserving resources. She is particularly passionate about multifunctional approaches that combine engineering innovation, climate adaptation, and socio-ecological perspectives. Projects on heat-resilient cities, flood risk management, and circular construction materials reflect her commitment to bridging technical, environmental, and societal aspects. By developing practical strategies and tools, she aims to help communities adapt the built environment to climate change.

A few sentences on why and when you have joined we4DRR, your motivation to have joined the SC, and what you personally contribute to the network
She joined we4DRR in 2018 after meeting Maria Papathoma-Köhle at BOKU University in Vienna. Already a member, Maria encouraged her to join, and she saw the network as a unique opportunity to connect across disciplines and strengthen the link between research and practice.

Optional: fun facts or anything else you would like to share with our members and the public
Outside of work, Regine enjoys the outdoors—whether walking through the woods near her home or playing location-based games. For her, success means using creativity and focus to achieve outcomes that truly benefit others.