Ben Akilov

Global Challenge: Make the cities of the future smart and resilient

Bio:

Ben Akilov is a junior majoring in Civil Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, now pursuing an academic minor in Construction Management alongside coursework in real estate development at NYU Stern. Driven by a long-term vision to bridge technical engineering with large-scale project execution and development, Ben expanded his studies to master both the structural fundamentals and the financial strategies that shape the built environment.

At NYU, Ben is actively involved with CMAA and the NYU Brick Construction Management & Engineering Team, where he focuses on cost estimating and design-build proposals for regional competitions like ASC Region 1. Alongside his campus involvement, he works as an Assistant Project Manager Intern at Mega Contracting Group, gaining hands-on field experience in site operations, subcontractor coordination, and project administration. Through these roles, Ben has developed strong technical expertise in tools like Procore, Revit, and AutoCAD, as well as essential skills in value engineering and project scheduling. Giving back to the community, he also serves as an ACE Mentor Program Ambassador to guide aspiring students entering the AEC industry. Following graduation, his short-term goal is to work in construction management and development to oversee complex projects from the ground up. Long term, Ben aims to lead large-scale real estate development ventures that deliver sustainable, resilient, and transformative infrastructure to city skylines.

During his spring semester, Ben studied abroad at the University of Sheffield in the UK, immersing himself in European civil engineering practices and urban design frameworks. Complementing his coursework, he expanded his global perspective by attending industry conferences across London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Spain, where he engaged with leading professionals on international building standards, transit-oriented development, and resilient infrastructure.

Being part of the GLASS program means embracing the responsibility of leadership as a global scholar. The program has challenged him to view urbanization not just as a local engineering task, but as a dynamic global challenge where rapid growth must be balanced with environmental resilience. This perspective aligns directly with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which resonates most deeply with his passion for building energy-efficient, resilient urban infrastructure. By combining technical civil engineering fundamentals with international project delivery methods, he hopes to apply his skills across global markets to pioneer developments that reduce carbon footprints, withstand climate impacts, and elevate the quality of life in evolving metropolitan centers worldwide.

In his free time, Ben enjoys boxing, running, and going to the gym. In addition he loves exploring the city and everything it has to offer.