About Lucia Schlemmer

Creative economist who challenges business-as-usual urban development — partnering across sectors and translating complexity into bold ideas, robust business cases, and practical, sustainable outcomes that move cities forward.

Connect with Lucia

In short

I’m a sustainable mobility consultant working at the intersection of urban development and transportation, with a focus on accelerating sustainable transitions in cities. My projects often centre on sustainable urban mobility, inclusive green finance, and economic development. I’ve worked across strategy development, monitoring and evaluation, project and risk management, and the creation of business cases and feasibility studies globally.

My role typically involves designing and testing financial and operational models that help clients make informed decisions. I bring a mix of analytical rigour, behavioural insights, and cross-sector collaboration to the table — whether it’s building the case for e-buses in Lagos or shaping long-term mobility strategies for Dutch metropolitan regions.

I also have experience advising on sustainable transport finance, flood resilience, and the socioeconomic needs of low-income communities and small businesses. These roles have equipped me with strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and reporting skills, as well as expertise in policy and financial analysis, and capacity building for climate and economic resilience. I aim to deliver actionable recommendations, support data-informed decision-making, and bring diverse actors together to co-create resilient, equitable urban solutions.

I hold a Master’s degree in Spatial, Transport and Environmental Economics from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and an Honours and Bachelor of Commerce degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town.

I enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams where I can explore big ideas, challenge assumptions, and translate complexity into outcomes that matter. I thrive in environments that are open, iterative, and grounded in social impact.

Outside of Rebel, I stay connected to purpose-driven work by advising students and young professionals navigating careers in mobility and sustainability, and through ongoing engagement in initiatives that support inclusive urban growth in cities.