Future-proofing cities against wildfires with Melissa Sterry

A World-Leading Expert in Resilient, Sustainable, and Nature-Inspired Innovation

In an era when wildfires are becoming more frequent, intense, and volatile, the built environment must rapidly evolve to become more resilient. Now more than ever, architects, developers, urban planners, and policymakers need to integrate cutting-edge resilience strategies into their projects. Dr. Melissa Sterry — one of the world’s foremost experts in sustainable innovation, biomimetics, and wildfire-resilient architectural and urban design — helps organisations achieve this goal.

A multi-award-winning design scientist, systems theorist, designer, and futurist, Dr. Sterry has spent over 25 years pioneering transdisciplinary research and innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and design. She specialises in harnessing the adaptive strategies of nature to create architectural and urban solutions that not only mitigate wildfire risks but also enhance long-term sustainability. Through her consultancy, advisory, and thought leadership, she equips companies and government agencies with the knowledge, frameworks, and strategies necessary to create future-fit, fire-resilient developments.

Dr. Sterry’s deep expertise in biomimetics, ecology, and complex systems thinking has made her an invaluable asset to those seeking to create innovative, high-performance structures and urban infrastructures that respond dynamically to their environments. Whether you’re designing a residential community, a commercial development, or a city-wide resilience strategy in wildfire-prone California, the wider Western United States, or elsewhere, her insight-driven approach ensures that your project is built for both present and future challenges.

The Expert Credentials That Set Dr. Melissa Sterry Apart

Dr. Sterry’s expertise is globally recognised, with a career defined by numerous accolades and influential contributions to sustainable design and resilience research. She holds a PhD in designing wildland-urban interface resilience to major wildfires from the University of Greenwich in London, and is a Chartered Scientist accredited by the UK Science Council.

Her groundbreaking research into Panarchistic Architecture — the first comprehensive architectural paradigm that mimics fire-adaptive ecosystems - reshapes how we think about building in fire-prone regions. She has been honoured with over a dozen prestigious awards, including the Mensa Education and Research Foundation International Award for enhancing intelligence that benefits society, the Woman Icon of the Year Award, and recognition as a Top 100 futurist, and one of the Top 20 experts shaping sustainability at board-level globally.

In addition to her research, Dr. Sterry is a fellow of esteemed institutions such as the Institute of Science and Technology, the Design Research Society, and the Royal Society of Arts, and one of the Design Council’s expert network. She has advised multinational corporations, government agencies, and NGOs, providing high-level strategic guidance on sustainable innovation and disaster resilience, and delivered keynotes on how to mitigate the threat of wildfire to urban environments for clients including the World Bank, Canadian Institute of Planners, and Innovate UK, among others. Her extensive experience positions her as the go-to expert for organisations seeking a competitive edge in resilient, fire-smart architecture and urban planning.

Future-Proofing Residential and Commercial Buildings in Fire-Prone Regions

Wildfires present one of the greatest challenges to the built environment today. The devastation they cause extends far beyond physical destruction—disrupting economies, displacing communities, and leaving long-term environmental scars. However, by adopting an advanced, science-driven approach to architecture, cities and developments can not only survive but thrive in fire-prone landscapes.

Dr. Sterry works closely with businesses in architecture, real estate, construction, urban planning, and utilities to integrate the latest research and technology into wildfire-resilient design. Through her consultancy, she provides actionable strategies for:

• Nature-Inspired Fire-Resilient Architecture – Designing buildings that mimic the adaptive traits of fire-resistant plants and ecosystems, reducing their vulnerability to wildfires while enhancing their ability to recover.

• Smart Building Materials and Technologies – Recommending cutting-edge materials and construction techniques that enhance fire resistance and self-healing capabilities.

• Resilient Urban Planning – Helping planners develop fire resilience strategies that incorporate buffer zones, fuel breaks, and adaptive landscaping.

• Policy and Regulatory Guidance – Advising government agencies on developing future-ready building codes and wildfire resilience policies.

Her expertise enables companies to create projects that meet both sustainability goals and commercial objectives while addressing the urgent need for fire adaptation in real estate and infrastructure.

Creating Inspiring Urban Visions for the Future

As one of the world’s leading futurists, Dr. Sterry doesn’t just respond to current challenges — she anticipates and shapes the future of resilient urbanism. She collaborates with businesses, developers, and policymakers to create compelling visions of cities that harmonise with nature and harness state-of-the-art innovation.

Her ability to blend deep scientific knowledge with forward-thinking design strategies ensures that her clients can position themselves at the forefront of sustainable architecture. Through visioning workshops, strategic consultancy, and immersive storytelling, she helps companies craft aspirational yet achievable urban futures — visions that inspire investors, communities, and key stakeholders to embrace resilient, wildfire-adaptive development.

Thought Leadership, Reports, and White Papers on Wildfire-Resilient Design

Dr. Sterry’s expertise is widely sought after for authoring white papers, reports, and thought leadership publications on the topics of sustainability, resilience, and biomimetic design. Her writing not only provides critical insights into the future of architectural and urban resilience but also serves as an essential resource for businesses and policymakers navigating the challenges of wildfire adaptation and wider issues of sustainability and resilience.

By commissioning Dr. Sterry to produce high-value reports, companies can access meticulously researched, expertly written analyses that offer strategic direction on fire-resistant architecture, policy innovation, and next-generation urban planning. Her ability to distill complex scientific research into compelling, actionable insights makes her a vital thought leader in the field.

Key Services: How Dr. Sterry Can Help Your Organisation

Dr. Melissa Sterry offers a range of consultancy and advisory services to help businesses, government bodies, and research institutions build fire-resilient developments and sustainable urban futures. Her services include:

• Executive Consultancy and Advisory – Providing tailored guidance to senior leaders in architecture, real estate, and urban development on integrating wildfire resilience into their projects.

• Keynote Speaking and Presentations – Delivering inspiring, science-backed talks on wildfire resilience, biomimetic design, and the future of urban development at conferences, summits, and corporate events.

• Strategic Research and Reports – Producing in-depth white papers, reports, and thought leadership pieces that inform best practices in fire-adaptive architecture and policy.

• Project Leadership and Mentoring – Directing and mentoring teams working on cutting-edge wildfire-resilient architecture, urban planning, and infrastructure projects.

• Workshops and Training – Hosting interactive learning sessions to equip architects, planners, and developers with the knowledge to implement next-generation fire-resistant design.

Why Choose Dr. Melissa Sterry?

With her unique blend of scientific expertise, visionary thinking, and hands-on strategic experience, Dr. Sterry is uniquely positioned to help organisations create developments that are not only fire-resilient but also commercially and environmentally sustainable. Her future-focused approach ensures that clients remain ahead of regulatory changes, market shifts, and emerging environmental threats.

Partnering with Dr. Sterry means gaining access to world-class insights, innovative design methodologies, and a strategic roadmap for creating sustainable, wildfire-adaptive developments that stand the test of time. Whether you need high-level advisory, research leadership, or an inspiring keynote, Dr. Sterry is ready to help you shape the resilient cities and communities of the future. For further information on her experience visit here.

Get in Touch

Dr. Melissa Sterry is available for in-person and online advisories, consultancy projects, keynote talks, and more. To discuss how she can support your organisation in building wildfire-resilient architecture and urban design, contact her today.