Why do some places feel instantly welcoming while others leave us cold? What can neuroscience tell us about the buildings and streets people actually prefer? And what would it take to build beautiful cities again?

Ruben Hanssen brings these questions to stages across Europe and beyond, drawing on original research, large-scale public surveys, and a decade of work at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, and human psychology. His talks are designed to challenge assumptions, spark conversation, and leave audiences with a fundamentally different way of looking at the built environment.

Speaking engagements

  • Talks are tailored to your audience and event, but typically draw from these themes:

    • Why beauty matters: the neuroscience of how we experience buildings and cities

    • What people actually want: surprising findings from public preference research

    • The case for traditional architecture in the 21st century

    • Gentle density: building more homes without sacrificing beauty

    • How biophilic design improves health, wellbeing, and productivity

    • Keynote (30-60 min) — a focused, visually rich presentation for conferences, summits, and corporate events

    • Lecture (60-90 min) — a deeper exploration with room for audience Q&A, suited to universities, professional associations, and policy forums

    • Panel & discussion — available as a panellist, moderator, or debate participant on topics related to architecture, urbanism, beauty, and city-building

    • Remote — all formats available via video for international events

Previous appearances

Booking

Speaking fees depend on format, location, and context. Travel and accommodation for events outside the Netherlands are covered by the host.

Interested in having Ruben speak at your event? Get in touch with the details and we'll get back to you within two working days.