As a Civil Engineer specialized in Infrastructure and Transport Planning and over the course of my career, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainable urban development and mobility innovation.

In previous roles, including Project Manager and Mobility Innovator, I have led numerous European Transport Projects and studies, emphasizing sustainable and urban mobility, electromobility, and alternative vehicle technologies. My proficiency extends to logistics, urban freight deliveries, data analysis, and fostering innovation in transport and mobility.

Currently serving as an R&D Manager for Mobility, I am adept at steering innovation and research-driven strategies to address contemporary mobility challenges. My experience with funding mechanisms such as Horizon Europe, H2020, COST, Interreg and EIT Urban Mobility enables me to strategically manage projects that shape the future of transportation.

I am characterized by effective communication skills and a results-oriented approach to project execution. I envision contributing valuable insights and leveraging my expertise to address common challenges faced by cities. The prospect of actively participating in knowledge exchange, fostering innovation, and promoting best practices resonates deeply with my professional philosophy.

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Pablo Muñoz Unceta is an architect specialized in urbanism, with professional experience in Latin America and Europe. He has lived and worked in Lima, Rotterdam, and Barcelona. He holds a master’s degree in architecture from UPM University (Spain) and a MSc graduate Cum Laude in the European Post-Master of Urbanism at TU Delft (The Netherlands). He leads the Barcelona branch of Paisaje Transversal, a company supporting local governments in Sustainable Urban Development that has been URBACT Spanish national point between 2017 and 2023. He also develops research on urban studies as Strategic Advisor on Productive Cities for Fab Lab Barcelona, where he has collaborated in EU research projects such as Reflow or CENTRINNO.

Pablo works at the intersection of strategic planning, spatial analysis, collaborative governance, and urban policy, on topics such as housing, climate change adaptation, and circular economy. He has developed his professional practice in private companies and public institutions, such as the Municipality of Lima, CESAL, the World Bank, TU Delft, ecosistema urbano, delta metropool, Paisaje Transversal or the Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory. During the last 7 years he has been involved in research projects and published different articles with the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, TU Delft University, and Wageningen University & Research. He currently lectures at the Master of City and Technology in the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia and has also lectured and given presentations in several universities and institutions, such as the PUCP University in Lima (Peru), or the IBA Research Lab in Vienna (Austria).

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In love with European programmes. A firm believer in the power of policy and action creation through them, in the capacity of programmes to create bridges between different public and private entities and in the potential for personal and professional growth that working cooperatively between partners from different parts of the world has.

In addition to attracting and managing European programmes and funds, I am dedicated to finding ways to finance the public policies that we want to promote from the council, and to advise the business community of the municipality so that they can take advantage of the great opportunity that European funds represent.

I have also worked on the localisation and implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the municipality of Benetússer: carrying out phases 1, 2 and 3 for the Town Council; as well as in other projects such as the organisation of the European Mobility Week, the first steps for the promotion of a CEL, the application and management of the second PERTE call for the digitalisation of the water cycle, among others.

Previously I have been a teacher for over 12 years in an IB school, as well as coordinator of the English and Technology departments.

Education:
- Degree in Sociology.
- Master's Degree in Secondary School Teaching.

Soft skills: risk taker, communicator, open-minded, team player, caring, reflective, problem solver. I enjoy learning new things, contact with people and finding the social side of my daily work. I have always been driven by the idea of creating a better place to live, either through education or the study of society.
 

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Alejandro Quinto, in his role as Head of Innovation at Yeme Tech, embodies the intersection of technology, urban planning, and community well-being. His work involves spearheading projects that leverage digital tools to foster healthier, more connected urban environments.

His multidisciplinary expertise, combining architecture and spatial data science, allows him to innovatively address the complexities of urban spaces. At Yeme Tech, Alejandro has been crucial in developing projects that resonate with his passion for enhancing urban life through technology, such as the Community Data Platform. This platform reflects his commitment to using data to create more inclusive and engaging urban spaces.

His role in the founding team showcases his dedication to shaping the future of urban environments. Under his leadership, Yeme Tech has become a catalyst for digital transformation in cities, emphasising the importance of community data in urban planning and development. His projects are marked by a deep understanding of how technology can be harnessed to improve urban living conditions, emphasising sustainable proximities and social connectivity.

His professional journey also includes speaking engagements at prominent events like the Smart City Expo in Barcelona 2023 and the CARTO conference in London in 2022, as well as his notable contribution to the Biennale of Architecture in the Spanish Pavilion. These roles highlight his commitment to shaping the future of urban living through innovative technological solutions.

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More than 20 years of experience in employment and local development strategies, research on the labour market and foresight of Vocational Education and Training (VET) needs.

I have provided support to local and regional authorities in the design and conduction of territorial cooperation processes and strategies for local development, employment, labour inclusion, social policies, youth policies, economic revitalization, VET needs analysis, urban planning or support to entrepreneurship among other topics. I have designed and applied participatory processes, engaging citizens and local agents.

Over the years I have participated as partner or coordinator in many European projects and initiatives (EQUAL I and II, Youth in Action, Equal Opportunities, Leonardo, Erasmus +, EaSI, URBACT) and I have managed projects co-financed by ERDF, ESF, EAFRD and EGF.

I have worked for two URBACT networks: UrbInclusion (Municipality of Barcelona) and Kairós (Municipality of Mula), providing support for management and knowledge transfer to their Urbact Local Groups (ULG).

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Sustainable City Expert, with a focus on mobility and transport. Creator of a EU-wide project about railway stations and sustainable cities, the "Sustainable City Promoter".

Wide experience in urban planning and mobility, first working in french railways (SNCF) and then at the EIT Urban Mobility, always helping cities in implementing sustainable transport projects, tests and pilots of innovative solutions, and addressing the policy and governance gaps. 

Strong business development skills combined with an entrepreneurial attitude and strategic thinking for developing and managing innovation, and create impact. Self-starter, able to link stakeholders to create added value and new projects. Successful in leading new ideas and activities between R&D and business.

C-Level access, able to develop and maintain relationships with clients, and deeply understanding clients’ needs. Excellent operational leadership facilitating fact-based decision-making and guiding communication. 

PhD candidate on the topic of urbanism and railway stations for more sustainable cities at TUM Munich, already published a paper focussed on mobility issues: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667091723000031

 

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With a heart full of passion and a fervent belief in the power of social innovation to transform our world. Social innovation is not merely a buzzword; it is a call to action, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for progress. It is the force that propels us forward, driving us to envision a brighter future and to take meaningful steps toward its realisation.

In a world characterised by complex challenges, from unemployment crises to greater inequality and poverty, social innovation is the antidote we so desperately need. It represents a departure from the status quo and a commitment to finding novel, sustainable solutions to age-old problems. It is a rejection of complacency and a celebration of creativity, empathy, and collaboration.

Education background

I embarked on my journey of social innovation armed with a strong academic background, including a degree in Business Science, an MBA, and a PgCert in Public Administration and Housing Policies. This foundation provided the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the multifaceted world of social change.

Over 15 years of impact

With over 15 years of experience, my commitment to making a difference by managing and leading projects and programs across diverse thematic areas is clear. My work spans a wide spectrum of crucial topics, including:

• Social innovation   
• Job creation and entrepreneurship, education and employment
• Social inclusion 
• Culture and cultural heritage
• Community-led research and innovation 
• Digital transition
• Affordable housing

Operational expertise

I am not just a theorist, I am a practitioner who excels at bringing innovative concepts to life. My operational expertise extends to global agendas and policy frameworks, transfer and replication strategies, access to funding, citizen engagement, strategy design, SUD strategy implementation, and a multi-stakeholder approach.

Participatory governance and urban strategic planner

A true advocate of participatory governance and urban strategic planning, I  have worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of communities are heard and their needs are met. My work with The Young Foundation and Impact Hub Bradford in co-designing the local impactful programmes - Bradford District Local Access, Amplify Barking & Dagenham - exemplifies my commitment to inclusive decision-making.

Transnational impact

I don't confine my passion to a single region; I have made my mark across borders. In my role with The Young Foundation, I led the experimentation work package of the Social Innovation Community (H2020 project) across four European cities, Turin, Zagreb, Oslo and Pärnu, where they championed co-creation, participatory approaches, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. With the City of York Council I led the Transfer Network Genius: Open to Syracuse, Tallinn and San Sebastian. With Youth Business International, in an interim role, I am leading High Flyers community of practice to support underserved ‘high flying’ young entrepreneurs in 8 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America to grow and scale their businesses.

Sharing knowledge globally

My commitment to knowledge sharing is evident through projects like Genius Open, where I transferred their participatory social innovation model to cities in Europe. My influence extends to the cultural sector through EU-funded projects like Social & Creative, where I supported the capitalization and transfer of results in the Culture and Creative Industry. 

My dedication to nurturing a culture of shared learning and collaboration, which is pivotal for the growth of the social innovation movement can be exemplified by the events I participated in like the Social Innovation conference organised by the Diputació de Barcelona where I joined the round table “Innovating from research and communities”.

Multi-level leader

I have demonstrated my hands-on approach and leadership prowess at every level, from local to regional to national. Whether working with the Council of Minorca to design policies and programs in housing, employment and digital transformation, the City of York developing co-creation models and participatory processes, or collaborating with the Ministry of Housing in Spain, with a consistent impact.

In the realm of social innovation, I have dedication, vision, and tireless commitment to making the world a better place. My journey is far from over, and as I continue to innovate and inspire, I serve as a reminder that each one of us can be a catalyst for change. My work is proof that social innovation is not a lofty ideal but a tangible force for progress that can transform lives and communities.

Please feel free to let me know if you want further information and/or to explore how we can work together. Just dorp me an email at monica.nagore@gmail.com

 

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I am a senior consultant for Green and Health Cities with experience of over 10 years on urban greening and nature-based solutions, urban health,  mobility, urban planning, social innovation and climate adaptation. I am a city enthusiast and always strive for new innovative solutions and approaches that provide livability to urban environments. I have experience and skills in network management, knowledge transfer activities, and facilitation.

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Mar Santamaria-Varas is an urban planner and architect. She combines experience in strategic and integrated urban planning, participatory processes and data analytics for public policies, with a common goal of responding to the need for a green transition, fuelled by digitisation and leaving no one behind.

She has solid experience advising various urban agents, including public administrations (national and local bodies), international organisations, scientific institutions, non-profits and citizens’ groups.

She is the co-founder of the think-tank 300.000 Km/s (www.300000kms.net). Her pioneering work in the field of urbanism has been recognized for its innovative quality and its impact on social transformation by the European Commission (S+T+ARTS Prize 2019), the Premio de Urbanismo Español 2019, the Premi Catalunya d’Urbanisme 2020 and an Honourable Mention of the UIA's Patrick Abercrombie Prize (2023), among others. Her work has been exhibited at international cultural institutions, including the Festival Ars Electronica (2021 and 2019), BOZAR Bruxelles (2020), the Chicago Arts Institute (2015) or the Centre for Contemporary Culture in Barcelona. She has also created specific content for the Venice Architecture Biennale in the Catalan (Air/Aire/Aria 2021) and Ukrainian Pavilions.

Mar has lectured at several international faculties (visiting lecturer at EPFL Lausanne, Welsh School of Architecture, TU Braunschweig, School of Architecture of Barcelona, IAAC, among others), public institutions, debates and conferences of significance in the sector (like the Smart City World Expo, the Inter American Development Bank Annual Planning Conference or ISOCARP). She has written several scientific publications and other articles for a broad public in relevant national and international reviews and media.

How can I support URBACT Networks?

Strategic urban planning

As an expert in strategic urban planning, I played a significant role in developing comprehensive plans that promote sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for residents. Through my involvement in drafting one of the first pilot projects of the Urban Agenda Action Plan in Spain (within the Next Generation Programme), several proposals for urban regeneration and conducting other urban diagnoses at the local level (2016-2023), I have gained the expertise to articulate public policies around local communities needs and perspectives through an evidence-based and data-driven approach. Urban planning is a global mechanism that allows us to solve complex problems through informed data diagnosis, scenario formulation, proposal drafting, and result evaluation.

Digital Urban disruptions

Digitisation in cities has altered social pacts and generated unprecedented challenges in formulating urban regulations and plans (on-demand mobility, e-commerce, or tourist apartments). For instance, in this expertise area, I have carried out several projects that focus on gentrification caused by the visitor economy, such as Touristification (2017) and Morphologies of Tourism (2017). I have also developed pioneering policies to regulate the implementation of first-mile delivery (ghost kitchens and dark stores Master Plan, Barcelona, 2023) as well as cutting-edge research to characterize the implementation patterns of innovative activities (Geographies of Innovation) as a result of teleworking and the knowledge economy -both generating new attraction logics for cities on a global level.

Digital transformation

I have experience in empowering local administrations in the digitisation process, generating strategies for informing public policies and providing consultancy in bridging the information gap. For example, I have collaborated on the digital divide report of Barcelona (2016, 2021), which measures the level of digitization of citizens. I have also worked in contexts with a lack of spatial and territorial/urban information.

Participatory governance

The contact with local and international bodies has enabled me to develop targeted interventions that promote liveable, healthier and greener cities. I have designed policies and urban master plans based on technical and citizen decision-making processes and public participation as the Ciutat Vella land-use plan or the Superblocks land-use plan (2023), among others.

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In 2018 I founded MGL with the aim of working in urban planning in the Balearic Islands from a local perspective. Today, from Palma, I am professionally developing plans and projects from a territorial perspective, municipal land use and zoning planning, landscape projects and public space execution in collaboration with various teams. With my knowledge in urban planning and having participated in European projects, I am also working to open up dialogue processes by developing processes of dialogue and co-creation with citizens.

I have combined work both in the private sector and in the public administration. Since 2016, I specialized in general and strategic urbanism, most recently in the Department of Urban Resilience of Barcelona City Council (2018-2020) and before that in the General Plan Office of Palma City Council (2016-2017). Previously, I worked at the Urban Strategies studio (2015-2016) in Toronto and at the Jonet-Llop-Pastor office in Barcelona (2013-2015). 

I was co-founder and I am coordinator of the Jane's Walk Palma's movement since 2016 and a member of the board of the Palma XXI association since 2018.