Dr.-Ing. Pietro Elisei (S.M.ALL Lead Expert)

Summary

I have been involved in the URBACT program as an expert since its first edition. I played a role in networks, or as a thematic/ad hoc expert, as a team leader, but also as consultant for cities involved in URBACT networks and even as a trainer. I always appreciated this initiative; I am convinced of the absolute necessity of this type of action in the panorama of European Urban Policies. I can affirm, after many years of collaboration with URBACT, that I have been an urban planner who contributed a lot to spreading its principles and values, but always with a critical eye: we must learn from practice and be able to question ourselves as experts to change and improve. I have accumulated through URBACT experience and knowledge that can still be useful, not only for the cities, but also in dealing with new generations of experts, and I still have a lot of energy to give and creativity to express for this initiative. I am an urban planner who comes from the world of environmental engineering and has embraced the philosophy of urban policy design and strategic planning, dealing extensively with urban regeneration and urban poverty, both at professional and academic level. I am happy to see climate change issues at the centre of the political agenda, but these must be combined with the value of culture and heritage to revive the economy of many cities and neighbourhoods in Europe.We have to learn and work to promote sustainable development through the active involvement of local communities, to make inclusive urban planning, to enlarge the arena responsible for the critical decisions affecting quality of life in our cities.