Studying anthropology and urban geography (University of Utrecht and University of Monash), Toha became a process facilitator and project manager at BRAL, a citizen action group focused on social and environmental issues in Brussels. This exposed her to the complexity of urban planning, particularly in terms of the unintended consequences of development. In the meantime, she was involved in supporting a number of community-based and grass-roots organisations across Brussels associated with temporary use projects and food. After years of confronting large and complex challenges, she shifted to an early passion for art and developed her talents in photography. More recently she has combined both her knowledge in anthropology and her love for photography through community art projects.
Toha has a special interest in how the infrastructure of public space can foster communities. Furthermore, she is interested in urban spaces in transition and sustainable living.
- Photography – Academie Beeldende Kunsten Anderlecht (BE)
- MSc Urban Geography – Utrecht University (NL)
- BArts Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology – Utrecht University (NL)
- Cultural Anthropology (course credits) – University of Monash (AU)
- Freelance process Facilitator & Project Manager – Endeavour (BE)
- Freelance Photographer – Toha De Brant Photography (BE)
- Process Facilitator & Project Manager – Urban Development & Citizen Participation – BRAL | Citizens Action Brussels (BE)
- Freelance researcher: social impact research – Sociale Innovatie Fabriek (BE)
Expertise
Dutch (native speaker)
English (fluent speaking and writing)
French (fluent speaking and writing)
Italian (proficient speaking and writing)
German (proficient speaking)
Toha's insights
Connecting Nature
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A European research program (H2020) developing nature based solutions: ‘bringing nature to cities and cities to nature’.
Adrian Hill
Adrian is a founding partner of the Osmos Network responsible for general operations with expertise in production in cities and ecological systems.
Eric Haas
Eric is a co-founder of the Osmos Network, focused on the organisation’s business development.
Francesca Gualino
Francesca is a community development worker, educated in psychology.
Hanne Van Reusel
Hanne is an Osmos Network partner bringing the team expertise on the commons, participative processes and the development of public space.
Julia Rocha
Julia is an Osmos collaborator with expertise in visual communications and public space.
Laurens Van der Cruyssen
Laurens is an Osmos Network partner bringing the network expertise in psychology, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and human-centred design.
Liana Simmons
Liana is an Osmos expert bringing the network a strong foundation in collaboration and cooperation to empower local and regional organisations and communities.
Marco Kooistra
Marco is a founding partner of the Osmos Network responsible for the organisation’s financial management. He brings the network extensive expertise in finance, fiscal strategy, business management and accounting.
Michael Kaethler
Michael is an Osmos expert bringing the network theoretical and methodological skills to address complex and systemic problems often rooted at an epistemological (knowledge) or ontological (being) level.
Nienke Schachtschabel
Nienke is an Osmos expert based Amsterdam (NL). She brings the network extensive experience in visual communication, design research and in agro-ecology.
Stephan Kampelmann
Stephan is a co-founder and expert of the Osmos Network bringing the network practical experience and theoretical knowledge on local economics, resource management and governance within bio-based production chains.