Jayne

Jayne Thompson, a leading figure in the world of sustainable urban development, has made it her mission to transform cities into vibrant, eco-friendly hubs. As the founder of GreenSpaces Inc., based in Portland, Oregon, Jayne has been instrumental in pioneering projects that promote renewable energy adoption and green infrastructure.

Since founding GreenSpaces in 2015, Jayne has spearheaded initiatives across 27 cities, from San Francisco to Seoul, showcasing how innovative thinking can lead to practical solutions for environmental challenges. Her work was highlighted at the University of California, Berkeley, during a special seminar on urban sustainability, and she has also spoken at the TEDx conference in Vancouver and the Global Sustainability Forum in Copenhagen.

A recognized leader in her field, Jayne was elected as the third global chair of the International Urban Development Association in 2022. She has earned a place among their Hall of Fame for her impactful contributions to sustainable city planning. In addition to her leadership role, she is an adjunct professor at universities in Australia, Japan, Brazil, and Denmark, where she teaches courses on sustainable architecture and urban design.

In the early stages of her career, Jayne joined a municipal planning department in 2008, where her first significant task was to develop a green space expansion plan for the city's downtown area. A turning point came in 2019 when she launched a project to retrofit historical buildings with modern, energy-efficient technology in Paris. Within two years, this initiative not only preserved the architectural heritage but also reduced the city’s carbon footprint by 20%, setting a new standard for conservation and innovation.

Jayne obtained her doctorate in Environmental Science and holds dual master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Sustainable Engineering. Her ongoing research ensures that her teachings and publications are always current, engaging, and full of cutting-edge concepts.

Her insights and passages from her award-winning books, "Building Tomorrow: Cities for the Future," "The Eco-Revolution: Designing for a Greener World," and "Sustainable Spaces: The Art of Living in Harmony with Nature," have featured in numerous platforms such as National Geographic, Wired, CityLab, TreeHugger, and Renewable Energy World. Jayne has also graced the pages of international journals in Europe and Asia and has been interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered.