Meet our experts
Urban Insight is where experts come together to develop insights
Urban Insight brings together Sweco’s leading experts from across disciplines and borders to address the most critical challenges facing cities and societies. Through cross‑border collaboration and shared insight, Sweco combines local expertise with international experience to plan, design and shape future cities and societies together — supporting clients in making informed decisions and turning knowledge into action for sustainable urban development.
Real and meaningful change happens when people work closely together.
Mattias Salomonsson
Water Expert
25+ years of experience | Assignment Manager, Environment & Planning
Water resilience is a critical challenge for cities and infrastructure as climate change increases flood risk, water scarcity and pressure on water quality. Mattias helps organisations manage water as a strategic resource through early planning, climate adaptation and resilient water and wastewater systems, with expertise in flood risk management, regulatory frameworks and integrated solutions..
“Water underpins almost everything — public health, food production, energy, industry and liveable cities. Designing systems that can cope with a wider range of conditions is essential for long‑term resilience.”
Read more about resilient water systems
Piia Pessala
Biodiversity Expert
25+ years of experience | Executive Director, Project lead for strategic biodiversity projects
Protecting and strengthening ecosystems must be an integral part of urban development, infrastructure planning, and sustainable business models.
Piia Pessala supports cities and organisations in setting strategic biodiversity goals, turning ambitions into measurable actions, and identifying business and other opportunities.
“Safeguarding biodiversity is not only about protecting nature; it is about setting clear goals and measurable actions that support a systemic transformation essential for the long-term resilience and well-being of our communities, businesses, and nature.”
Read more about biodiversity and measurable actions
Martijn Steenstra
Climate Adaptation Expert
20+ years of experience | Lead author and initiator of Urban Insight climate adaptation projects
“Climate adaptation requires more than stand alone projects. It must be embedded in policy, anchored within public organisations and integrated into all urban development”. Martijn Steenstra focuses on aligning stakeholders and departments within public organisations, translating climate risks into coherent strategies that connect sectors and public services. Key themes in his work include the resilience of critical infrastructure, the impacts of heat stress on socially vulnerable groups, and the use of data and digital tools to support climate resilient planning and design.
Read more about climate actions for cities and communities in Sweco´s insight reports.
Anton
Detection Dog, Species Protection
When Anton joined Sweco, he quickly became a valuable member of our environmental teams. With his exceptional sense of smell, Anton supports species protection efforts by locating protected animals in areas where new infrastructure is planned. Working closely with his handler, who is also a Sweco colleague, Anton helps identify habitats efficiently and accurately — making it possible to carry out surveys that would otherwise be time-consuming or difficult for humans alone. Soon, Anton will be joined by Fibi, who is on her way to becoming Sweco’s second certified species detection dog.
Read more about how detection dogs are protecting biodiversity
More Sweco voices
Read more personal accounts of the Sweco experience here “meet our employees” or on the websites of the local organisations. You can also connect with local recruiters on the respective contact pages.
