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(Re)designing sustainable cities is a major issue, requiring cooperation, exchange of best practices, innovative design, training, empowerment, participation, strategy and tactics. Be it city planning or urban metabolism, climate or biodiversity, social or generational gaps, digitalization or production issues, European cities play a key role. A systemic and multiscale approach is necessary to imagine and implement appropriate public policies. 

My career path as a senior civil servant, for French Goverment and local authorities, led me to design and manage challenging projects, involving stakehoders from different backgrounds (public-private, SMEs-large companies, charities, research centers...) and nationalities. The search for common good, relying on a collective intelligence approach, is my guideline.

I believe that URBACT is a very relevant framework to address the unprecedented issues we are faced with and make Europe a worldwide reference in city management and sustainability.

Willing to bring my experience and knowledge to the community and to learn from peers, I would be happy to know about your projects and maybe work on them. Thanks for your attention.

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Paola Pasino is a change maker, with a background in architecture and urban design, dedicated to human centric design and the transformation of cities into vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments. With over 15 years of experience in local government in the United Kingdom, Paola has been at the forefront of developing and implementing evidence-based strategies for urban regeneration, economic revitalization, and the pursuit of resilient and sustainable urban futures.

Paola has been a driving force behind the revitalization of city centres, particularly focusing on their recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and their transition towards net-zero emissions.

Paola's academic pursuits centre on the relationship between urban form and the quality of life. Her investigations delve deep into the nexus of health data and placemaking, shedding light on the pivotal role of urban design in shaping the well-being of communities. Her scholarly work is a testament to her commitment to creating cities that prioritize the physical and mental health of their inhabitants.
 

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I am an expert in European networking and knowledge exchange, the URBACT method, communications and integrated approaches to sustainable urban development. I offer networks and cities a broad range of relevant skills and experiences to support their URBACT journeys.  

I have worked closely with the URBACT programme since 2018, including as co-moderator of the 2022 URBACT City Festival and lead author of two studies of the Integrated Action Plans (IAPs) of URBACT cities (2023+2019).

I was also engaged as an expert trainer on integrated approaches to SUD at a European Urban Initiative (EUI) capacity building event for cities and hope to have the opportunity to support URBACT IV cities to deliver stronger and more integrated IAPs based on the lessons of the two studies.

Previously, under URBACT III, I was mobilised as an Ad Hoc Expert for the BeePathNet-Reloaded network, supporting the planning and creation of the new Bee Path Cities network, which now sits within the URBACT Knowledge Hub on food.

I have also worked for several years on communications contracts for both URBACT (2019-2022) and the European Urban Initiative (2022-2024) giving me an excellent and broad understanding of both. My work covered the development, implementation and monitoring of communications strategies, particularly the planning and production of written content for both web and printed media.

More broadly, I have worked in European networking and knowledge exchange since 2002, in roles covering policy work, communications, moderation, event planning, monitoring and evaluation - and covering diverse policy sectors such as urban development (URBACT, EUI, UAEU), rural development (ENRD, SmartRural21), education and training (ETF, PES Network), anti-poverty and homelessness (EAPN, FEANTSA), energy, climate change, and nature protection (LIFE+, CEMR).

I have co-authored an organisational Knowledge Manifesto and a new methodology for measuring knowledge uptake and have a strong understanding of the process, opportunities and challenges of transferring good practice in Europe.

I hope to have the opportunity under URBACT IV to support Europe's towns and cities to network and exchange effectively, transfer good practice and develop stronger and more integrated action plans, confirming the specific added value of the URBACT Programme.

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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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I have more than 25 years of professional experience in Italy and the UK on urban regeneration and development projects, in major consulting firms, as freelance and public manager. My approach is focused on strategic integrated urban planning, with a view to sustainable local economic development, social inclusion and innovation, cultural development. I am a skilled programme manager, communicator and facilitator. I enjoy supporting challenging projects that require effective exchange, learning e innovative cooperation between different stakeholders, locally and internationally.

I was the Director of Associazione Torino Internazionale. I developed two major strategic plans: one for the metropolitan area of Turin and one for the peri-urban area of Eporediese, in Piedmont. I designed, facilitated and implemented the whole process of involving hundreds of local stakeholders and experts through many commissions and working groups.

I was Director of Development of the Urban Regeneration Plan at the City of Milan. I sistematically involved several City Departments, neighbourhood authorities, public institutions, community organisations, foundations and private companies. I designed the Urbact CITIES4CSR project and set up the professional start up Valore Urbano Condiviso, aimed at growing the active role of companies and anchor institutions in community projects.

I am very active in Torino Città per le Donne, NGO dedicated to promoting gender equality at the local level. I have led the production of a research paper on international strategies in this field. I currently coordinate the networking collaboration of approximately 70 community-based organisations.

Recently, I was senior researcher for an Italian government major study on Spazi di Comunità, the new hybrid community hubs up in unused buildings, that are spreading across Europe.

I am currently also part time Head of Business Development at Kalatà, a company dedicated to the promotion of cultural heritage through innovative visits.

I am an architect and urban planner by training, with a degree from the Politecnico of Turin. I have integrated my design and placemaking skills with economic, financial, and public policy expertise through an MSc at the London School of Economics and various professional assignments on social and technological innovation, real estate development, tourism, and retail.

I look forward to supporting Urbact change-makers across the EU, by applying the innovative Urbact method. Please feel free to get in touch!

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I am an architect specialized in inclusive design and accessibility within AMAIS, the NGO I have founded in 2015 and that I am coordinating. 

The mission of the organisation is to create an equitable society for people with permanent, temporary or context-based disabilities by applying the principles of inclusive design in architecture, technology and social projects.

Over the years I have coordinated many of AMAIS’ projects and participated in design competitions and conferences as a public speaker or facilitator. Some of the projects include: 

• - design of inclusive playgrounds, public spaces, community centers;

• - bringing people with and without disabilities together and doing research on the possible solutions for improving the built environment;

• - designing models of empathy workshops and facilitating them;

• - doing accessibility audits for the public and private sector. 

In 2020, I have received my PhD degree, Summa cum Laude in architecture, from the "Ion Mincu" University of Architecture and Urban planning. My thesis and research work focus on developing the architect’s and other stakeholders’ social responsibility, while emphasizing the benefits of using empathy and human diversity in design as ways of enriching the individual or community’s relationship with the built environment. 

In order to expand the impact of my mission of building inclusion, in 2023, I started my mandate of director of Region II, part of the Architecture for All working group organized by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) and I have published the first inclusive design guide in Romania: https://include.amais.ro/

I am looking forward to supporting public administrations, other experts or urban change-makers to build the equitable society we all desire by turning accessibility and inclusion into natural parts of the design process.

 

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Harald Wouters MSc is an experienced Strategic Advisor on the impact of digital technology on our society and economy. Harald graduated with honours (cum laude) from Utrecht University in Human Geography and succesfully completed Digital Disruption Strategies from Cambridge Judge Business School. Harald Wouters is the founder of WHY Consulting, an agency specialised in digital transformation of the urban sphere. His agency helps public and private actors in their collaborative innovation, digitalisation, as well as sustainability strategies. Currently, Harald is working as an Innovation Broker for the EDIH Dutch Societal Innovation Hub (DSIH), in addition to being an Expert at URBACT and a Project Partner for Interreg North Sea. Previously, Harald has worked as a Digital Transition Expert for the European Commission's Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) initiative. For the Digital Agenda of DIGITALEUROPE, Harald reported on labour mobility of IT workers in the EU. He organised the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) 2016 conference for the commission's DG RTD. Harald co-authored the NL Smart City Strategy, the international Smart City proposition of the Dutch high-tech industry and the granted Dutch public sector application for a European Digital Innovation Hub. 

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I consider myself above all a geographer with experience in integrated urban development. Holder of an MSc in Cities, Space and Society from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography from the University of Aegean, Greece, with a professional experience of over 20 years in EU projects submission, management and implementation as a free-lance consultant, 19 years of which as an advisor to the Mayor of Kavala ( Greece).  

My expertise lies in successfully introducing civic participation and co-designing complex strategic documents. An expert with a particular interest in trying our new, pilot and innovative urban solutions driven by excessive and inclusive civic participation. A professional with strong interpersonal skills, advanced personal motivation, and a proven ability to build and work collaboratively. Thus, my prior experience working at a city level, collaborating, proposing, and experimenting with urban innovations, and concertizing goal setting aiming at sustainable urban development gave me an understanding and appreciation of the importance of a job well done.

My current responsibilities as Kavala's Mayor's advisor in EU-funded projects (cross border, interregional projects) allowed me to successfully address questions on urban challenges, civic participation, public ethics, management of conflicts and mainstreaming of bottom-up processes in decision-making as an urban practitioner. My current duties include organizing stakeholder workshops, co-designing urban agendas, and coordinating transnational exchange of experience events. Furthermore, working with the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect allowed me to gain valuable skills in developing multidisciplinary projects, including their results in integrated urban agendas. 

Based on these activities, I have worked as a ULG coordinator in several URBACT networks (LUMASEC, TOGETHER, Making Spend Matter, and URGE), coordinating and animating stakeholder-engaging workshops, organizing and participating at knowledge exchange partner events as well as  supporting and drafting integrated urban plans.

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Richard Buckminster Fuller

 

 

 

 

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