Helge Hillnhütter

About

My career encompasses both professional practice and academia, with substantial
international experience in Germany, Italy, Tanzania, China, Bahrain, the UK, Denmark, and
Switzerland. My interdisciplinary expertise spans urban design, planning, architecture, and
landscape design. Since completing my studies, I have maintained close ties to university
teaching through guest lectures, which facilitated my transition to academia. In 2018, I joined
the Institute for Architecture and Planning at NTNU as an Associate Professor.
As a specialist in urban planning that promotes walking as a mode of transport, particularly in
enhancing access to public transport, I have established an international reputation. Since
2017, I have delivered approximately 180 invited presentations across 12 countries and
contributed to policy development in collaboration with international organisations such as the
World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Public Transport (UITP). In
2022, I became a founding member of the Board of Directors for Walk21 Europe, an NGO
registered in the Netherlands.
Through these activities, I have contributed to the development of national strategies, planning
guidelines, and research programmes in countries including Norway, Germany, the
Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and France. I have also helped shape international discourse on
walking and public transport integration, including recent initiatives at the EU level. Today, my
work is supported by a growing network of professionals across Europe who promote integrated
perspectives on sustainable mobility.

Research

Funded Research and Projects

2024–2027 – German Environmental Agency / Umweltbundesamt, Germany – Expert Advisor

German title: „Schnittstellen zwischen ÖPNV und Fußverkehr verbessern: Bedeutung und Potenziale des Fußverkehrs für die Nutzung des ÖPNV verstehen, untersuchen, kommunizieren und nutzen”. Research builds on my work on walking to access public transport. Cooperation with Planersocietät, Michael Frehn, and Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik. Funds: 220,000 EUR.
2022– – THE PEP - Transport, Health and Environment, Pan-European Programme, Partnership on Active Mobility, WHO – Delegate for Norway

Appointed by Ministry of Health and Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Initiative includes 56 countries to support active mobility through national policy development.
2022– – AVIT call NTNU, Mobile Sensory Lab – Cooperative Partner

Cooperation with PhD candidate and seven NTNU departments. Secured 2 million NOK to purchase technology for investigating human body and brain responses to physical and social environments.
2022– – Mobilitet Stor Trondheim (MoST) – Work Package Leader

Responsible for one of three work packages including three PhD projects across NTNU faculties (11 million NOK for my WP). Cooperation with NPRA, Trøndelag County, Trondheim Municipality, and NTNU. Interdisciplinary project with 14 PhDs at 5 faculties.
2021–2024 – JPI Urban Europe, EASIER – Seamless sustainable everyday urban mobility – Co-Initiator and Work Package Leader (Norway)

Focus: “Walking environments to support access to public transport” (2.5 million NOK). Collaboration with Otto Anker (DTU Denmark) and six research institutions from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, plus 27 organizations in urban and transport planning.
2019– – Health Fund, NTNU: Urban Environments to Increase Health and Well-being – Project Coordinator & PhD Supervisor

Cooperation with Prof. Axel Tjora (Sociology) and Prof. Christian Klöckner (Psychology). Internal NTNU health fund call, 36 participants, one funded project (7 million NOK).
2013 – Norwegian Research Council: Grant for Overseas Studies – PhD Candidate

Funds for overseas studies in Copenhagen (Denmark), Zürich (Switzerland), and Reading/Brighton (UK).
2010–2016 – Norwegian Research Council / Asplan Viak: Funding for PhD Research – PhD Candidate

Supported through the “Nærings PhD” program, cooperation between Norwegian Research Council and Asplan Viak.
2003 – European Social Fund: Funding for Master Studies – Master Student

One-year Master course at University of Milan, Italy, funded by European Commission.
2003 – Foreign Exchange Programme, University of Bochum – Funding for Overseas Studies

Study at University of Portsmouth, UK.

Publications

2025

Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2025) Tactical Urbanism: A Means of Enacting Mobility Transition? A Literature Review of International Practice. Springer
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Brunner, Lisa Marie; Başaran, Gülin Göksu; Haustein, Sonja; Klöckner, Christian A.; Ingvardson, Jesper Bláfoss; Nielsen, Otto Anker. (2025) Emotional experiences of urban walking environments: an application of the circumplex model of affect. Journal of Transport and Health
Academic article
Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2025) From temporariness to mobility futures: A review of progress in tactical urbanism as an active travel planning tool. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives (TRIP)
Academic article

2023

Brunner, Lisa Marie; Hillnhütter, Helge; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Steinert, Martin; Dybvik, Henrikke. (2023) Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2022

Gansmo, Helen Jøsok; Bohne, Rolf André; Støa, Eli; Wyckmans, Annemie; Brattebø, Helge; Larssæther, Stig. (2022) Brøset – en bærekraftig bunker?. Adresseavisen
Feature article
Fossum, Magne; Hillnhütter, Helge; Ryeng, Eirin Olaussen. (2022) Winter walking–the effect of winter conditions on pedestrians’ step length and step frequency. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science
Academic article

2021

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2021) Stimulating Urban Walking Environments – Can we Measure the Effect? . Environment and planning. B: Urban analytics and city science
Academic article

2020

Wellinger, Steffen; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2020) Debattinnlegg: (Tanke)eksperiment for el-sparkesykler. www.adressa.no
Feature article

2018

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Gåing til/fra holdesplasser. Tiltakskatalogen for transport og mijø
Popular scientific article

2017

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Gåing - undervurdert mobilitet. Plan
Popular scientific article

2016

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2016) Pedestrian Access to Public Transport. Universitetet i Stavanger Universitetet i Stavanger
Doctoral dissertation

Journal publications

Brunner, Lisa Marie; Başaran, Gülin Göksu; Haustein, Sonja; Klöckner, Christian A.; Ingvardson, Jesper Bláfoss; Nielsen, Otto Anker. (2025) Emotional experiences of urban walking environments: an application of the circumplex model of affect. Journal of Transport and Health
Academic article
Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2025) From temporariness to mobility futures: A review of progress in tactical urbanism as an active travel planning tool. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives (TRIP)
Academic article
Gansmo, Helen Jøsok; Bohne, Rolf André; Støa, Eli; Wyckmans, Annemie; Brattebø, Helge; Larssæther, Stig. (2022) Brøset – en bærekraftig bunker?. Adresseavisen
Feature article
Fossum, Magne; Hillnhütter, Helge; Ryeng, Eirin Olaussen. (2022) Winter walking–the effect of winter conditions on pedestrians’ step length and step frequency. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science
Academic article
Hillnhütter, Helge. (2021) Stimulating Urban Walking Environments – Can we Measure the Effect? . Environment and planning. B: Urban analytics and city science
Academic article
Wellinger, Steffen; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2020) Debattinnlegg: (Tanke)eksperiment for el-sparkesykler. www.adressa.no
Feature article
Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Gåing til/fra holdesplasser. Tiltakskatalogen for transport og mijø
Popular scientific article
Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Gåing - undervurdert mobilitet. Plan
Popular scientific article

Part of book/report

Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster; Hillnhütter, Helge. (2025) Tactical Urbanism: A Means of Enacting Mobility Transition? A Literature Review of International Practice. Springer
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Brunner, Lisa Marie; Hillnhütter, Helge; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Steinert, Martin; Dybvik, Henrikke. (2023) Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

Report

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2016) Pedestrian Access to Public Transport. Universitetet i Stavanger Universitetet i Stavanger
Doctoral dissertation

Teaching

Courses

University Teaching

2002 – Interior Design – University Bochum (DE) – Tutor – 50 students
2010 – Områdeplanlegging – UIS, BIB5501 – Supervisor/Lecturer – 30 students – 10 ECTS
2011 – Områdeplanlegging – UIS, BIB5501 – Course Leader – 30 students – 10 ECTS
2018–2023 – Arkitektur og Stedsforming – NTNU, FP4100 – Course Leader – 60 students – 5×7,5 ECTS
2019– – Site Planning – NTNU, AAR4215 – Course Leader – 70–100 students – 6×7,5 ECTS
2022– – Master Thesis – NTNU, FP4400 – Course Leader – 30–40 students – 3×30 ECTS
2024– – Region og Kommuneplanlegging – NTNU, AAR4220 – Course Leader – 35 students – 1×7,5 ECTS

Supervision

Master’s Thesis Supervision

2018 – Centre development of Steinkjer – Hilde Greve
2018 – Urban development around Public Transport Hubs in Oslo – Mathias Wigum
2018 – Investigation of Cycling Tunnels in the Context of a planned Cycle Tunnel in Bergen – Marte Fauskanger Larsen
2019 – Urban Public Transport with Urban Ferries in Ålesund – Aksel Helmersen
2019 – Planning, Design and Use of Urban Parks – Cathrine Fossdal
2019 – Walkability and Pedestrian Behavior – Linnea Stickler
2019 – Experienced Safety for Female Pedestrians – Lina Naoroz Bråten
2019 – Effective, Attractive and Safe Access for Pedestrians in Traffic Exposed Urban Environments – Tore Vestre
2020 – Winter Use of Urban Parks – Ida Ovidth
2020 – Attractive Public Spaces for Stationary Activities in Trondheim – Jørgen Iversen
2020 – E-Scooters – Conflicts in Public Spaces – Kristina Jahre Simonsen
2020 – Local Residents Experience of Semi-public Spaces – Mari Coward
2020 – Planning for Circular Urban Development – Hanna Bang Hilmo
2020 – Safety Perceptions for Public Transport Access Among Female Travelers in Berlin – Michaela Schmidt
2020 – Development of Østmarka Area in Trondheim to Address the Needs of a Heterogeneous Local Community – Mikkel Evald H. Frengstad
2020 – Designs for High Standard Cycling Paths – Nina Meti
2020 – Good Access to Public Transport in Drammen – Vilde Andrea Lund
2021 – Social Interactions in Local Urban Centers in Trondheim – Heidi H. Sagen
2021 – Impacts of Local Climate on Walking Mobility – Malin Pedersen Gladhaug
2021 – Social Interactions in Public Space – Kristina Risholt Ramberg
2022 – Measuring Stress Levels in Different Urban Environments Using Sensors – Jørgen Valheim Lem
2023 – Tactical Interventions to Support Walking on University Campuses – Lene Grimholt
2023 – Tactical Interventions to Raise Awareness on Mobility Behavior – Sandra Skiaker
2023 – Transformation of Small Public Urban Spaces Through Participation of Local Residents – Ingvild Olsen
2023 – Tactical Transformation of Parking Spaces to Support Walking – Trine-Lise Østbye
2023 – Walking Patterns in an Urban Transformation Area – Eivind Halle
2024 – How European Cities Support Walking – an Analysis – Daniel Bratvold
2024 – Walkability – Comparing European and Norwegian Perspectives – Eivind Røkenes
2024 – An Analysis of Walking Environments for Train Station Access in 16 European Cities – Ina Fossum Asbømlo
2024 – Strategies for Sustainable Urban Mobility in European Cities – Kine Vibeke Nordgård
2024 – How Norwegian Cities Support Walking in Their Planning Practice – Vegard Strand
2025 – Walking and Social Interactions in Urban Centres of Minor Cities – Case Kristiansund – Sunniva Gry-Lenedatter Solskjær
2025 – Understanding Walking Patterns in the Car-based Centre of Stjørdal – Marius Bones
2025 – Goals for the Development of Public Spaces for Brattøya in Trondheim – and the Reality Today – Johannes Lien Eggereide
2025 – Social Activity in Semi-public Spaces of Newly Developed Residential Areas – Ingrid Michaelsen Larsson
2025 – From Car Space to Urban Space – Inhabitants’ Perspectives on Centre Transformations in a Norwegian Municipality – Helene Palucha Oppegård

PhD Supervision (Main Supervisor)

2014–2022 – Accessibility in Norwegian Urban Planning – Dutch ABC location policy in Norwegian integrated land-use and transport planning – Marianne Kanpskog
2021–2025 – Nudging Walking Through Urban Planning and Design – Understanding the Influence of Urban Environments on the Subjective Experience of Walking – Lisa Marie Brunner
2021– – Increasing Social Interaction in Public Urban Spaces – Lina Naoroz Bråten
2023– – Ad-hoc and Low-cost Changes of Streets as Transformatory Measures to Support Walking and Cycling – Jarvis Suslowicz

PhD Supervision (Secondary Supervisor)

2019–2022 – Walking and Cycling in Winter Conditions – Magne Fossum
2019– – Towards an Integrated Approach to Wayfinding Design in Theory, Practice and Education – Ole E. Watne

Outreach

2024

Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Gåby, bybane, byliv – og hvordan alt henger sammen . Bergen Bykonferanse Bergen , Bergen 2024-11-23 - 2024-11-23
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlicher Verkehr . VCÖ - Mobilität mit Zukunft Aktive Mobilität als Zubringer zum ÖV , Vienna 2024-05-06 - 2024-05-06
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken . WalkSpace AT Fussverkehrskongress Österreich , Vienna 2024-06-05 - 2024-06-05

2023

Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Walking & Public Transport - Potentials and Possibilities . WHO, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Transport planning for the future , Geneva 2023-10-23 - 2023-10-23
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Walking & Public Transport . UNECE, WHO THE PEP, Transpor, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme , Madrid 2023-10-26 - 2023-10-26
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken - Möglichkeiten und Potenziale . Senatorin für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Mobilität, Bremen FUKO, Fußverkehrskongress 2023 Bremen , Bremen 2023-04-27 - 2023-04-27
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken . Deutsches Insistut für Urbanisitk Difu Difu-Seminar: Der Weg zur Haltestelle - ein unterschätztes Potenzial für den ÖPNV , Berlin 2023-10-12 - 2023-10-12
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Mobilitet til fots, byrom – kollektivtransport? . Stavanger Grønn By Stavanger Grønn By - Mobilitetskonferansen 2023 , Stavanger 2023-04-21 - 2023-04-21
Poster

Brunner, Lisa Marie; Hillnhütter, Helge; Dybvik, Henrikke; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Steinert, Martin; Klöckner, Christian Andreas Nikolaus. (2023) Walking in the city - a healthy future?. NTNU Health NTNU Health Conference , Trondheim 2023-10-05 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge; Bråten, Lina Naoroz. (2023) Hva betyr omgivelsene for oss mennesker og hvor viktig er det for oss "å ha noe å se på"?. KS Regional samling - KS Nettverk for universell utforming , Oslo 2023-04-26 - 2023-04-26

2019

Academic lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) How Urban Environments Influence Pedestrians Emotions. Aalborg University The Humanification of the City , Aalborg 2019-03-28 - 2019-03-29
Academic lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Investigating the Extent of Walking Involved in Public Transport . Accessibility and Connectivity UERA Thematic Working Group Urban research addressing the mobility transition , München 2019-12-11 - 2019-12-11
Academic lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Walking to Access Public Transport. Technical University of Denmark DTU Transport Summit 2019 , Copenhagen 2019-06-04 - 2019-06-04
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Walking! Walking environment! Public transport …? . Walk21, City of Rotterdam Walk 21 Coference Rotterdam , Rotterdam 2019-10-07 - 2019-10-10
Academic lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) The influence of Urban Environments on Access to Public Transport by Walking . Technical University of Munich NECTAR Cluster 6 Accessibility , Munich 2019-12-12 - 2019-12-13
Academic lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Travelling by Public Transport in Cities – How Much Walking is Involved? . Technical University of Denmark RESEARCH SEMINAR ON INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLANNING AND OPTIMISATION , Copenhagen 2019-06-03 - 2019-06-03

2018

Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobilitet til fots - mobilitet i by . Statens Vegvesenet Lunsj foredragsserie Statens Vegvesen Oslo , Oslo 2018-03-22 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Kollektivtransport, fotgjengere, byrom … . Statens Vegvesenet Nettverkssammling Statens Vegvesenet , Kristiansand 2018-05-23 - 2018-05-23
Popular scientific lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobility, walking - and cities . Copenhagen City Council Symposium for the EU Project CREATE , Copenhagen 2018-03-08 -
Popular scientific lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Kollektivtransport & mobilitet til fots. Movia, Copenhagen bus operator Trafikbestillerkonference 2018 , København 2018-06-21 - 2018-06-21
Popular scientific lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Til fots i bypakker... i fem skritt. Statens Vegvesenet Bypakke konferanse Tønnsberg 2018 , Tønnsberg 2018-09-04 - 2018-09-05
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Tilrettelegging for fotgjengere - tilrettelegging for kollektivtransport . Hordaland Fylkeskommune Seminar Kollektivknutepunkt , Bergen 2018-05-09 - 2018-05-09
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Walking in Towns. Nordic Council of Ministries Attractive Nordic Towns Conference , Ystad 2018-11-28 - 2018-11-29
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Public Transport and Walking. Trafikkselskab Movia BEST annual seminar , Copenhagen 2018-03-08 - 2018-03-09
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobilitet til fots og med kollektivtransport. Movia, kollektivoperatør København Inspirasjonsmøde Mobilitet til fots , København 2018-12-18 - 2018-12-18
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Hvordan planlegge byer som er mer attraktive for fotgjengere og kollektivtransport?. Miljødirektoratet Bedre byluft-forum 2017 , Oslo 2018-11-14 - 2018-11-15
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Hvordan tilpasse byområder til klimaendringene gjennom fysisk planlegging?. Universitetet i Stavanger Lecture , Stavanger 2018-01-19 - 2019-01-19

2017

Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Public Transport Users are Pedestrians. Transportøkonomisk institutt TOI Kollektiv forum årskonferanse , Oslo 2017-02-06 - 2017-02-07
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Byer for fotgjengere og kollektivtransport. Københavns Kommune Guest lecture , København 2017-09-26 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Kollektivtransport & fotgjengere. Trafikkselskab Movia Lecture , København 2017-09-27 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Fornøyde fotgjengere gir mere kollektivtransport. Statens Vegvesenet, Vegdirektoratet Gåseminar , Oslo 2017-09-22 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Byrom, gåing, og kollektivtransport. Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet Guest lecture , Ås 2017-06-12 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Attraktive byer - fornøyde fotgjengere. Statens Vegvesenet, Vegdirektoratet Gåseminar , Oslo 2017-09-22 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Walking - safe and attractive?. Nordisk Vegforum NVF Traffic Safety Conference 2017 , København 2017-09-27 - 2017-09-28
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Byutforming på gåendes premisser – en viktig strategi for kollektivtransport . Nordisk Vegforum NVF, Vegdirektoratet Bytransport og byutvikling i endring , Bergen 2017-11-01 - 2017-11-02
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Hvordan få flere til å gå?. Bymiljøetaten Guest lecture , Oslo 2017-06-06 -
Lecture

Hillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Vermessen - Was die Stadtumgebung mit den Fussgängern macht. University of Wuppertal Bundesweiter Umwelt- und Verkehrskongress 2017 , Wuppertal 2017-03-10 - 2017-03-12

Språkvelger

Helge Hillnhütter