Antonia Bogadi, PhD.
Expert in Complex Systems Thinking Approach
for Sustainable Development
If a factory is torn down, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that factory are left intact, then those patterns will repeat themselves... There’s so much talk about the system. And so little understanding.
— Robert M Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
My story
As a child in war-torn Croatia, I watched as age-old societal problems tore
through communities. People made sacrifices, hoping to fix the country, only to
find that the fixes often bred new problems—ones deeply entrenched in the very
social systems meant to be addressed. That experience gave me a firsthand look at
the tangled complexity of the issues we face.
Fueled by a desire to make a real impact, I dove into urban and regional planning,
eventually branching out into complex adaptive systems theory during my PhD at
Technical University in Vienna. What I learned was simple: lasting change doesn’t
happen with quick fixes. It requires a full, nuanced understanding and an
approach that combines theory with practical action.
Today, my work focuses on sustainable development, using complex systems
thinking to help cities and communities navigate both global and local pressures. I
specialize in social-ecological resilience, ecosystem-based climate adaptation, and
integrating transdisciplinary research into effective policy and planning. As a
leader and researcher in HORIZON and JPI Urban Europe projects, with working
experience across private research companies, universities, and an NGO, my goal
is to guide communities toward more resilient and equitable futures, grounded in
systems-based approaches to urban and regional development.
If you’re interested in exploring how to rethink the systems that shape our world,
let’s connect.
- Systems Thinking in Action
- Projects and publications
my work
- Research activities
Experience
- As the Head of the Green Deal Projects Department at SYNYO GmbH in Vienna, I led and contributed to multiple HORIZON EUROPE and DUT projects, including PHERECLOS, BioBeo, CATCHER, sEEnegies, GEAR@SME, and CircularCityChallenge, where I served as Principal Investigator. My role involved conducting in-depth research on urban resilience, with a particular focus on governance changes and overcoming barriers to the implementation of sustainable policies. I developed communication strategies aimed at advancing climate resilience, clean energy, circular economy, citizen participation, and Nature-Based Solutions. Additionally, I provided policy advice, translating complex research into practical guidelines for urban planners and policymakers. I also played a key role in proposals development for HORIZON EUROPE CLUSTER 6 and Driving Urban Transformation (DUT) programs, successfully securing funding for critical sustainability initiatives.
Green Deal Projects Department Head
- SYNYO GmbH, Vienna, Austria
- 2021 - 2025
- As a senior lecturer and researcher at the Institute for Urban and Regional
Research and Planning at the Technical University Vienna, I conducted
interdisciplinary research focused on advancing urban resilience in EU and USA.
My work utilized Social Network Analysis to guide the implementation of
sustainable projects and applied Complex Adaptive Systems theory to align
sustainability strategies for critical infrastructure systems at both local and
national levels in Austria. In addition to research, I taught Master’s courses on
systemic approaches to social-ecological resilience, covering topics such as
“Resilience in Global Urban and Regional Development,” “Global Trends in Urban
Development,” and “Energy, Mobility, and Environment – Transformation
Towards Urban Resilience.” This dual role allowed me to bridge academic theory
with applied research, while preparing the next generation of urban planners to
address the complexities of sustainability and resilience.
Urban resilience researcher and senior lecturer
- Institute for Urban and Regional Research and Planning,
Technical University Vienna, Austria
- 2015 - 2021
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, UNIN University, Croatia
- At the Faculty of Civil Engineering at UNIN University in Croatia, I contributed to
shaping the academic foundation of future urban planners and engineers. I co-
authored the curriculum and policy textbook Integrative Urban Planning, which
provided students and professionals with a comprehensive framework for
understanding and addressing contemporary urban challenges. This role involved
developing innovative course content, mentoring students’ thesis, and promoting
interdisciplinary approaches to urban planning.
Researcher and Lecturer in Urban and
Spatial Planning
- 2011 - 2018
I worked on designing and developing architectural and urban planning projects
that balanced functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. My responsibilities
included creating project concepts and detailed plans, and collaborating with
clients, engineers, and local authorities to ensure successful project execution. I
contributed to both residential and public space projects, focusing on innovative
designs that explored and met community needs. This role honed my ability to
integrate technical expertise with creative problem-solving to deliver impactful,
people- and environment-centered solutions.
Architect and Urban Planner
- Architecture and Urban Planning Studio Brakus
- 2008 - 2010
- As elected president of DAV, I established the organization as a leading national
institution for international architectural and urban design competitions. In this
role, I spearheaded initiatives to enhance citizen participation in urban
development, organizing symposiums, public exhibitions, and events that
fostered dialogue between communities and local governments. I also provided
continuous consultations to government bodies, offering expert guidance on
urban development plans to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. My
leadership focused on bridging the gap between professional expertise and public
engagement, ensuring that urban planning decisions reflected the needs and
aspirations of citizens.
- NGO Executive
- DAV - Association of Architects Croatia
- 2011 - 2015
Technical University Vienna, Austria
January 2016 - February 2020
- Doctor in Urban and Regional development
Zagreb University, Croatia
- October 2003 - June 2008
- MSc. BSc. Architecture
and Urban Planning
Education
- Crafting science communication strategies for systems thinking framework, climate
resilience, citizen engagement, and Nature-Based Solutions - Translating complex scientific insights into actionable information for diverse audiences
- Research, Implementation, and Policy Advise
- Science Communication
- Expertise in social-ecological resilience, and applying Complex Adaptive Systems theory to
critical infrastructure systems and policy alignment. - Conducting transdisciplinary research on governance frameworks, participative planning,
Social Network Analysis and monitoring and evaluation for fair climate adaptation, energy
transitions, and circular economies. - Writing and securing grants, as well as coordinating and leading large-scale, multi-partner
research and collective action projects.
- Designing and delivering master’s-level courses on urban resilience, planning theory, and
sustainability - Developing curricula & leading training programs on systems-based approaches for
sustainable development
- Education & Training
Skills