Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paola Alfaro - d'Alençon

Researcher role and contact

Urban planning and design in an international context

Research details

Research

Research impact statement

My Research contributes to the urgent global discourse on sustainable urban development by offering:

  • Actionable insights into the local implementation of global sustainability frameworks such as the UN 2030 Agenda and the Leipzig Charter
  • Governance analyses to foster inclusive and resilient planning processes

  • Innovative strategies addressing key urban challenges such as urban renewal, affordable housing, and climate-sensitive urban development 

     

Core Research Focus: Urban Sustainability through Governance, Design, and Planning. In light of projections that by 2050, 68% of the global population will reside in cities, questions of just, sustainable, and collaboratively shaped urban development are gaining increasing attention. The research adopts an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary lens to explore:

  • How socio-ecological systems shape urban transformation.

  • Strategies for maintaining, sharing, and securing essential urban resources for future generations.

     

Key guiding questions include:

  • What resources are shared, and what national/international commonalities can be identified?
  • How can cities be reimagined through commoning and co-production practices?

  • Who are the key actors in urban transformation, and how can their roles be strengthened?

     

Policy relevance: European cities are at a critical juncture in addressing sustainability goals across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Global policy frameworks such as the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities (EU, 2007) and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015) emphasize integrated urban development, collaborative governance, and transdisciplinary. Yet, a significant gap persists in translating these normative principles into effective urban practice.  

My research works towards UN Sustainable Development Goals

  1. Reduced Inequalities

    Reduce inequality within and between countries.

  2. Sustainable Cities and Communities

    Making cities and settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

  3. Climate Action

    Take immediate action to combat climate change and its effects.

  4. Partnerships For The Goals

    Strengthen the means of implementation and breathe new life into the global partnership for sustainable development.

I'm interested in collaborating on

Actively seeking collaboration in interdisciplinary and practice-based projects across research, teaching, and implementation, with thematic focus on:

  • Urban Coproduction: Co-creation of urban strategies with communities and local actors.
  • Inclusive Public Space Design: Developing spatial solutions that foster equity and accessibility.
  • Sustainable Urban Transformation, focusing on:  
    • Affordable housing strategies  
    • Circular building practices (reuse, recycling, local production)
    • Resilience to climate and socio-spatial challenges
  • Knowledge Co-Production Across Global North and South: Addressing local governance, informality, and context-sensitive innovation.
  • Capacity-building initiatives with academic institutions, municipalities, and international organizations
    • Joint research studios
    • Urban labs 

Biography

Academic experience

Since 10/2022 – Professor, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS), Professor for for Urban Design and Planning in an International Context, Faculty 1: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geomatics

Since 08/2021 – Adjunct Professor, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Arquitectura UC

2019-2022 – Principal investigator of the DFG- German Research Foundation funded  project (Eigene Stelle), Project title: Co-produced urban development and their influence on the creation of socially inclusive urban spaces. Based at Faculty VI – Planning, Building, Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technische Universität Berlin.  

2/2017–01/2021 – Founding Member / Academic Director: Planning Laboratory – Urban Research Design Laboratory (U-Lab), Initiated and led a study reform project for practice-based, interdisciplinary formats in urban design, architecture, and regional planning at TU Berlin.

09/2015–09/2018 – Visiting Professor, Institute of Architecture, Università degli Studi di Genova, Conducted research-by-design seminars and methodological training in Master's and Ph.D. programs.

01/2011–02/2015 – Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty VI – Planning, Building and Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technical University of Berlin

11/2013 – Ph.D. in Architecture and Urban Studies, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 
Dissertation: “The Production of Transport Infrastructure – International Perspectives on Transport Infrastructure Development”

07/2011 – Dr.-Ing. (Doctor of Engineering), Technical University of Berlin 
Dissertation: “The Production of Urban Space through Mobility” 
10/2007–09/2010 – Research Associate, Faculty VI – Planning, Building and Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technical University of Berlin

10/2006–09/2007 – Research Fellowship, Berlage Institute / Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands; research focus: megaprojects and urban development (transport infrastructure, reactivation of former port areas) 

Industry experience

U Lab – Studio für Stadt und Raumprozesse 

  • Founding Member (since 2014) 
    Urban studies office engaged in applied research, spatial strategies, and transformative design. 
    Activities include expert reports, design competitions, urban and housing projects, and curatorial work.

URBACT III: 2nd Chance – Waking up the ‘Sleeping Giants’ 

  • Lead for Local Action Plan, Caserma Gavoglio, Genoa (2015–2018) 
    EU-funded urban regeneration project focused on adaptive reuse of underutilized urban sites. 
    Developed and coordinated the local action plan for the redesign of the former military barracks site in Genoa. In collaboration with local government and community stakeholders. 
    Website: www.u-lab.de 

Teaching and supervision

Undergraduate

  • Urban Planning 
  • Architecture

Postgraduate

  • Urban Planning 
  • Architecture
  • UMSB Master in Urban Management and Sustainable Development 

I can supervise students on

Doctoral dissertations, Master’s and Bachelor’s theses at multiple institutions in Germany and abroad. 

Publications

Key publications

  • From actors, scaling-up, and networks for understanding co-production practices beyond the North-South divide

    written by

    Alfaro d’Alençon P., Moya, D. (2024)

    Urban Planning, Open Access Journal, ISSN:  2183-7635                                                                                                      

  • How to Build Collectively? From Common-pool Resources, Actors, Access & Processes

    written by

    Alfaro d’Alençon et al. (2024)

    ARQ Ediciones, ARQ 96, Santiago de Chile, DOI: 10.4067/S0717-69962023000300136

  • Include the ‘majority world’ and co-produce the city!

    written by

     Alfaro d’Alençon, P., Castracane, G., F., Podlaha, N. (2022)

    In: scape, the international magazine for landscape architecture urbanism, Nr. 19

  • From Actors to Space, through Processes: Reflections from Co-production and Commoning

    written by

    Alfaro d'Alençon, P., Torrent, H. (2020)

    JCOM, ISSN: 1824-2049

  • Narrative Cartography: Capturing a Holistic Perspective on Waterscapes.

    written by

    Couling, N., Alfaro d'Alençon, P., Altiok, M. (2019)

    The European Journal of Creative Practices in Cities and Landscapes. Vol 2, No 1, Delft

List of selected publications

  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P et al. (2018): Interrogating Informality: Conceptualisations, practices and policies in the light of the New Urban Agenda’. In: Habitat International
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P.; López Morales, E. (2018): The urban as a concrete Utopia? Co-production and local governance in distinct Urban Geographies: Transnational Learning from Chile and Germany. Springer International Publishing
  • Temtem, F.; Alfaro d’Alençon, P. (2017): Traffic Architectures: chaining architectural tools in transport infrastructures planning. In: ARQ Ediciones, ARQ 96, Santiago de Chile, ISSN: 1474-0516 Alfaro d’Alençon P., Boanada-Fuchs, A., Greene, M., Krishnamurthy, S, Michelutti, E., Moretto, L., Warren Smit, W. (2023): Engaging urban research in policy making: Towards equitable economic growth. A partnership between Cities Alliance, AURI, REDEUS_LAC and N-AERUS. Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, Berlin: Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Hohmann, R.; /Borregarrd, N.; Eduardo Bresciani, L.; Boanada-Fuchs, A. (2019): Climate Policy for All Equity and Growth in Light of the Climate Crisis, Webinar 2019, Berlin
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P., et al. (2021): How is projecting co-production locally: Lessons learned
  • from Santiago de Chile. Trialog Paper, Stuttgart
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P. (2021): Mobilising the Periphery: Incubator for Urban Innovation.In: ANCB The Aedes Metropolitain Laboratory, Berlin
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P.; Monti, A. (2018): Desarrollo espacial y segregación. In: El camino de Latinoamérica y el Caribe hacia la sustentabilidad urbana, ARQ ediciones, Santiago de Chile
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Bauerfeind, B.; Konrad, D.(2014): Das Ephemere in der Stadtentwicklung. In: PlanerIn, Heft-Nr. 4/2014, Städtebau – Entwurf, Berlin
  • Horn, P.; Alfaro d’Alençon, P., Cardoso, A. (Hrsg.) (2017): Emergent Urban Spaces –  A Planetary Perspective‘, The Urban Book Series, Springer Verlag, London, Berlin
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Lepratti, C. (Ed.) (2018): Does effective planning really exist?, Syntagma Verlag, Freiburg
Research

Research impact statement

My Research contributes to the urgent global discourse on sustainable urban development by offering:

  • Actionable insights into the local implementation of global sustainability frameworks such as the UN 2030 Agenda and the Leipzig Charter
  • Governance analyses to foster inclusive and resilient planning processes

  • Innovative strategies addressing key urban challenges such as urban renewal, affordable housing, and climate-sensitive urban development 

     

Core Research Focus: Urban Sustainability through Governance, Design, and Planning. In light of projections that by 2050, 68% of the global population will reside in cities, questions of just, sustainable, and collaboratively shaped urban development are gaining increasing attention. The research adopts an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary lens to explore:

  • How socio-ecological systems shape urban transformation.

  • Strategies for maintaining, sharing, and securing essential urban resources for future generations.

     

Key guiding questions include:

  • What resources are shared, and what national/international commonalities can be identified?
  • How can cities be reimagined through commoning and co-production practices?

  • Who are the key actors in urban transformation, and how can their roles be strengthened?

     

Policy relevance: European cities are at a critical juncture in addressing sustainability goals across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Global policy frameworks such as the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities (EU, 2007) and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015) emphasize integrated urban development, collaborative governance, and transdisciplinary. Yet, a significant gap persists in translating these normative principles into effective urban practice.  

My research works towards UN Sustainable Development Goals

  1. Reduced Inequalities

    Reduce inequality within and between countries.

  2. Sustainable Cities and Communities

    Making cities and settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

  3. Climate Action

    Take immediate action to combat climate change and its effects.

  4. Partnerships For The Goals

    Strengthen the means of implementation and breathe new life into the global partnership for sustainable development.

I'm interested in collaborating on

Actively seeking collaboration in interdisciplinary and practice-based projects across research, teaching, and implementation, with thematic focus on:

  • Urban Coproduction: Co-creation of urban strategies with communities and local actors.
  • Inclusive Public Space Design: Developing spatial solutions that foster equity and accessibility.
  • Sustainable Urban Transformation, focusing on:  
    • Affordable housing strategies  
    • Circular building practices (reuse, recycling, local production)
    • Resilience to climate and socio-spatial challenges
  • Knowledge Co-Production Across Global North and South: Addressing local governance, informality, and context-sensitive innovation.
  • Capacity-building initiatives with academic institutions, municipalities, and international organizations
    • Joint research studios
    • Urban labs 
Biography

Academic experience

Since 10/2022 – Professor, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS), Professor for for Urban Design and Planning in an International Context, Faculty 1: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geomatics

Since 08/2021 – Adjunct Professor, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Arquitectura UC

2019-2022 – Principal investigator of the DFG- German Research Foundation funded  project (Eigene Stelle), Project title: Co-produced urban development and their influence on the creation of socially inclusive urban spaces. Based at Faculty VI – Planning, Building, Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technische Universität Berlin.  

2/2017–01/2021 – Founding Member / Academic Director: Planning Laboratory – Urban Research Design Laboratory (U-Lab), Initiated and led a study reform project for practice-based, interdisciplinary formats in urban design, architecture, and regional planning at TU Berlin.

09/2015–09/2018 – Visiting Professor, Institute of Architecture, Università degli Studi di Genova, Conducted research-by-design seminars and methodological training in Master's and Ph.D. programs.

01/2011–02/2015 – Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty VI – Planning, Building and Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technical University of Berlin

11/2013 – Ph.D. in Architecture and Urban Studies, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 
Dissertation: “The Production of Transport Infrastructure – International Perspectives on Transport Infrastructure Development”

07/2011 – Dr.-Ing. (Doctor of Engineering), Technical University of Berlin 
Dissertation: “The Production of Urban Space through Mobility” 
10/2007–09/2010 – Research Associate, Faculty VI – Planning, Building and Environment, Chair of Urban Design and International Urbanism – Habitat Unit, Technical University of Berlin

10/2006–09/2007 – Research Fellowship, Berlage Institute / Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands; research focus: megaprojects and urban development (transport infrastructure, reactivation of former port areas) 

Industry experience

U Lab – Studio für Stadt und Raumprozesse 

  • Founding Member (since 2014) 
    Urban studies office engaged in applied research, spatial strategies, and transformative design. 
    Activities include expert reports, design competitions, urban and housing projects, and curatorial work.

URBACT III: 2nd Chance – Waking up the ‘Sleeping Giants’ 

  • Lead for Local Action Plan, Caserma Gavoglio, Genoa (2015–2018) 
    EU-funded urban regeneration project focused on adaptive reuse of underutilized urban sites. 
    Developed and coordinated the local action plan for the redesign of the former military barracks site in Genoa. In collaboration with local government and community stakeholders. 
    Website: www.u-lab.de 
Teaching and supervision

Undergraduate

  • Urban Planning 
  • Architecture

Postgraduate

  • Urban Planning 
  • Architecture
  • UMSB Master in Urban Management and Sustainable Development 

I can supervise students on

Doctoral dissertations, Master’s and Bachelor’s theses at multiple institutions in Germany and abroad. 

Publications

Key publications

  • From actors, scaling-up, and networks for understanding co-production practices beyond the North-South divide

    written by

    Alfaro d’Alençon P., Moya, D. (2024)

    Urban Planning, Open Access Journal, ISSN:  2183-7635                                                                                                      

  • How to Build Collectively? From Common-pool Resources, Actors, Access & Processes

    written by

    Alfaro d’Alençon et al. (2024)

    ARQ Ediciones, ARQ 96, Santiago de Chile, DOI: 10.4067/S0717-69962023000300136

  • Include the ‘majority world’ and co-produce the city!

    written by

     Alfaro d’Alençon, P., Castracane, G., F., Podlaha, N. (2022)

    In: scape, the international magazine for landscape architecture urbanism, Nr. 19

  • From Actors to Space, through Processes: Reflections from Co-production and Commoning

    written by

    Alfaro d'Alençon, P., Torrent, H. (2020)

    JCOM, ISSN: 1824-2049

  • Narrative Cartography: Capturing a Holistic Perspective on Waterscapes.

    written by

    Couling, N., Alfaro d'Alençon, P., Altiok, M. (2019)

    The European Journal of Creative Practices in Cities and Landscapes. Vol 2, No 1, Delft

List of selected publications

  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P et al. (2018): Interrogating Informality: Conceptualisations, practices and policies in the light of the New Urban Agenda’. In: Habitat International
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P.; López Morales, E. (2018): The urban as a concrete Utopia? Co-production and local governance in distinct Urban Geographies: Transnational Learning from Chile and Germany. Springer International Publishing
  • Temtem, F.; Alfaro d’Alençon, P. (2017): Traffic Architectures: chaining architectural tools in transport infrastructures planning. In: ARQ Ediciones, ARQ 96, Santiago de Chile, ISSN: 1474-0516 Alfaro d’Alençon P., Boanada-Fuchs, A., Greene, M., Krishnamurthy, S, Michelutti, E., Moretto, L., Warren Smit, W. (2023): Engaging urban research in policy making: Towards equitable economic growth. A partnership between Cities Alliance, AURI, REDEUS_LAC and N-AERUS. Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, Berlin: Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Hohmann, R.; /Borregarrd, N.; Eduardo Bresciani, L.; Boanada-Fuchs, A. (2019): Climate Policy for All Equity and Growth in Light of the Climate Crisis, Webinar 2019, Berlin
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P., et al. (2021): How is projecting co-production locally: Lessons learned
  • from Santiago de Chile. Trialog Paper, Stuttgart
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P. (2021): Mobilising the Periphery: Incubator for Urban Innovation.In: ANCB The Aedes Metropolitain Laboratory, Berlin
  • Alfaro d'Alençon, P.; Monti, A. (2018): Desarrollo espacial y segregación. In: El camino de Latinoamérica y el Caribe hacia la sustentabilidad urbana, ARQ ediciones, Santiago de Chile
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Bauerfeind, B.; Konrad, D.(2014): Das Ephemere in der Stadtentwicklung. In: PlanerIn, Heft-Nr. 4/2014, Städtebau – Entwurf, Berlin
  • Horn, P.; Alfaro d’Alençon, P., Cardoso, A. (Hrsg.) (2017): Emergent Urban Spaces –  A Planetary Perspective‘, The Urban Book Series, Springer Verlag, London, Berlin
  • Alfaro d’Alençon, P.; Lepratti, C. (Ed.) (2018): Does effective planning really exist?, Syntagma Verlag, Freiburg