Project Manager of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme of UN-Habitat, Kerstin Sommer has been working on slum upgrading, poverty reduction, inclusion and integration, community development at UN-Habitat headquarters since 2012. She is managing the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme in 40 countries and 200 cities for more than 10 years. She has initiated urban poverty reduction strategies in all regions globally. Her drive is to facilitate the scaling up of slum upgrading, urban renewal, regeneration and affordable housing to provide adequate housing for all. Before then she contributed to the work of the Regional Office for Arab States, Regional Office for Africa on housing, slum upgrading, capacity building, governance and participation, municipal finance, participatory budgeting and the sustainable villages programme of UN-Habitat.
She holds a master-degree in Applied Geography – Spatial Development, political science and business administration. She is passionate about making cities inclusive and homes with equitable opportunities for everyone.