Key skills and expertise

With over 20 years of experience in urban, regional, environmental, and land use planning, the expert demonstrates proficiency in climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and infrastructure projects. Having worked in more than 300 cities across 29 countries, they have led initiatives for climate resilience and urban development. Responsibilities have included managing large-scale projects, collaborating with international donors, and contributing to policy recommendations and technical capacity building. Previously held roles such as director involved directing comprehensive land use and management plans and advising on climate risk and sustainable urban development strategies.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the European Commission, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), World Bank Group, and Green Climate Fund. The involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in areas such as climate change adaptation, urban development, and infrastructure. The projects have been regional and national in scope, focusing on Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Geographic locations of work include Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, among others.

Sectors and geographic focus

Bringing over two decades of experience, the expert has worked across sectors including urban development, environmental planning, disaster reduction, and infrastructure. They have held leadership roles such as Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Director, overseeing projects on climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating urban design with environmental sustainability and cultural heritage preservation. The geographic scope of their work includes regional and country-specific initiatives in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, demonstrating a strong capability in addressing complex, cross-sectoral challenges in diverse contexts. Career highlights include extensive geographic experience across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, working in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and the Dominican Republic. They have a deep familiarity with regional development and governance, particularly in Latin America, where they have led numerous long-term projects. Their work also extends to countries like Iraq, Mozambique, and Tanzania, contributing to urban and regional planning, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure development.

Languages and education

The expert is a native Spanish speaker and has achieved C1 proficiency in English and B1 proficiency in French. They have utilized these language skills in international settings, working in multilingual teams across various countries, including Latin America and Europe. Additionally, they possess reading and listening comprehension in Portuguese, enhancing their ability to engage in diverse linguistic environments during project collaborations and international conferences. With a background in regional planning, the expert holds a Master of Regional Planning with a concentration in International Development and Latin American Studies from Cornell University, United States. They are also a Human Settlements Specialist, focusing on urban poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean, from Universidad de Chile - UN ECLAC, Chile. Additionally, they obtained a specialization in Regional Development with a concentration in Urban Design from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, where they also completed a Bachelor of Architecture with a focus on urban studies.