Our Story
CityFutures was founded on a shared history and a distinct vision for urban consultancy. As founders, we first crossed paths during our university years. After spending over two decades building our separate careers, leading major international projects and holding senior corporate roles, we reached a professional maturity that naturally brought us back together.
Knowing each other for so long brings a deep, inherent trust to our work. We know each other’s standards inside out. We established CityFutures because we saw a clear market need for an agile, advisory-based practice that delivers a highly expert view.
Operating as a tight-knit consultancy means we are genuinely invested in every single detail of a project. We provide the rigorous project governance you would expect from a major global firm, coupled with the hands-on care and flexibility of a dedicated micro-practice. We are here to partner with clients who value deep sector expertise and direct, continuous involvement from the directors themselves.
Combining the excellence of global firms with the hands-on flexibility of a dedicated micro-practice.
Our Team
Meet the expereinced minds behind our success.
Sertac Erten, PhD
Director, Urban Strategies Lead
Dr. Sertac Erten is a London-based senior urban planner and award-winning masterplanner with over 25 years of experience in the urban planning sector. She focuses on sustainable urban mobility, active travel networks and climate-responsive masterplanning. Her work successfully integrates professional practice with data-led spatial strategies, bridging the gap between traditional placemaking and digital urbanism.
She holds a PhD and a degree in Urban Planning and MSc in Urban Design, Middle East Technical University. Her technical background includes the practical application of geospatial data analysis and digital tools to solve complex spatial challenges.
As a co-founder at 8arti Architecture and Urban Design, and previously working as an Associate Director and Planning Services Leader at Arup, she has directed strategic masterplans ranging from 1ha neighbourhood frameworks to 800ha strategic developments. Across Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus, she has managed specialist teams and collaborated closely with international financial institutions on complex regeneration schemes, mixed-use developments and climate action plans.
As the Founder and Director at CityFutures, Sertac drives the core business strategy and leads on urban planning consultancy.
Devrim Cimen, PhD
Masterplanning / Urban Design Lead
Dr. Devrim Cimen is a London-based architectural designer and urban designer with 28 years of experience across architecture, urban design, masterplanning, public realm, adaptive reuse, competition-led design, and design management.
His work brings together professional practice, academic research, and strategic design coordination.
He holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning / Urban Design from Middle East Technical University, following an MSc in Urban Design and a degree in Architecture.
As co-founder of 8arti Architecture and Urban Design, he has led and contributed to multidisciplinary urban design and architectural projects for public and private clients, including public space, urban renewal, cultural, heritage, and masterplanning projects.
His experience includes design coordination with municipalities, competition strategy, jury roles, academic teaching, and consultancy for complex spatial projects.
At CityFutures, his expertise supports integrated approaches to urban design, spatial strategy, masterplanning, public realm, architectural design, and built-environment consultancy.
Aysegul Ozbakir Acimert, PhD
Cross-borders / Horizon Europe Lead
Dr. Aysegul Ozbakir Acimert is an applied research and program innovation leader, city and regional planner, and Horizon Europe expert with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable urban development, climate resilience, community-centred social impact, and data-informed policy. She has worked across Canada, Türkiye, and Europe with universities, municipalities, public agencies, non-profits, and international consortia.
As the former professor at YTU and the co-founder of Applied Urban Science and Urban Innovation Lab, her work bridges research, policy, partnerships, and implementation. She brings expertise in sustainable neighbourhoods, complete communities, transit-oriented development, climate action planning, GIS/WebGIS, stakeholder engagement, living labs, pilot projects, proposal development, and capacity building.
She is currently the Adjunct Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.
At CityFutures, Aysegul leads cross-border partnerships between the UK, Europe and Canada and contributes to training modules, capacity development programmes, collaborative research and
innovation projects, and knowledge mobilisation.
25+
years of experience
6
IFI-programmes involved
18+
competition prizes
16million
population city consultancy
Why Choose Us
Discover the reasons that set us apart.
01
Innovation
We stay grounded in spatial design while developing digital tools that empower smarter urban decisions.
02
Expertise
Our team of 25+ year experienced professionals brings expertise to every project.
03
Human-in-the-loop
We connect data, creativity, and human insight to make cities more livable and resilient.
Let’s Create Together
Connect with us to explore how we can make your vision a reality. Join us in shaping the future.