Maria Jose Palacio is an experienced urban planner and architect with over eight years of expertise transforming urban spaces through sustainable and human-centred design. She holds a Master of Science in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design from Stuttgart and Ain Shams University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia.

Maria Jose has a diverse professional background, having worked in various countries, including Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Sweden, and Kenya. Her expertise spans project management, urban planning, policy development, and community development, strongly emphasising co-creative processes and holistic approaches to urban health and well-being.

In her career, Maria Jose has led multidisciplinary teams, secured significant project funding, and developed comprehensive urban planning strategies.