Maria Jose Palacio – Urban Planner, Researcher & Advocate for Healthy Cities

Maria Jose Palacio is an urban planner, researcher, and project manager with a strong background in sustainable urban development, public health, and community engagement. With over eight years of experience working across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, she has led urban regeneration initiatives, participatory planning processes, and research on how urban spaces impact well-being.

Her expertise lies in participatory urban planning, governance, and policy advocacy, with a focus on integrating environmental health and social inclusion into city development. She has led and supported various projects on urban regeneration, neighbourhood quality, and public space enhancement, working with the public and private sector, NGOs, UN agencies, municipalities, and local communities to drive evidence-based interventions.

Through her research on urban health, she explores how the quality of neighbourhoods influences social connections, mental health, and overall quality of life.