Speakers
Adelino Gonçalves
Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture of the University of Coimbra, where he teaches urban planning courses, and a researcher at the Centre for Studies in Architecture – Territory and Design. His research focuses on urban policies and territorial development, which he approaches through an integrated perspective on the challenges of territorial cohesion, with particular emphasis on urban regeneration and the valorisation of cultural heritage. On these topics, he is the author and co-author of several publications and has been invited to speak at various events, both in academic contexts and in initiatives organised beyond academia.
Cecília Gomes
With an international background passing through the University of Coimbra and Sciences Po Bordeaux, Cecília Gomes holds a degree in International Relations and master's degrees in Sociology and Management of Cultural Projects. Her research interests include artistic and cultural practices, the possibilities of revitalization of rural territories and participatory methodologies. She is currently has an investigation scholarship from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Ana Cláudia Guedes
Legal expert and researcher specialising in Urban Law, Territorial Planning, and Administrative Law. With over two decades of professional experience, she has served as a legal consultant, researcher, and trainer for municipalities and public entities across Portugal. Her work encompasses the legal frameworks governing urban development, land use regulation, and territorial governance—fields directly relevant to the revitalisation and strategic planning of low-density regions. As a researcher at CEDOUA (Centre for Studies on Land-Use Law, Urban Planning and Environment) at the University of Coimbra's Faculty of Law, she has contributed extensively to academic discourse on territorial planning and environmental regulation. Her expertise extends to public procurement law, administrative procedure, and the legal instruments that shape municipal governance and urban policy implementation.
Cláudia Carvalho
Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies, develops research projects in the fields of community participation, cultural mapping, community co-creation, urban intervention, citizen science and social innovation. Academically coordinated the REDE ARTÉRIA I project, a Teatrão-CES partnership, an action-research project, focused on arts-based intervention in eight municipalities. She was a member of the CES research team for the CREATOUR project: Developing Creative Tourism Destinations in Small Towns and Rural Areas and is a member of the CREATOUR Observatory (culture and tourism observatory for local development). Cláudia was a member of the CES team for the H2020 UNCHARTED project: Understanding, Capturing and Fostering the Societal Value of Culture (2020-2024), coordinated by the University of Barcelona. Currently, she co-coordinates the CC.EDU - Working Group on Citizen Science and Education at CES, the ATHENE project: citizen science as a methodology for developing skills in children and young people and coordinates the ISII Social Incubator for Research and Innovation project. She is an invited assistant professor in Sociology at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra.
Dulce Lopes
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Coimbra.
Biography coming soon.
Pedro Resende
Architect and entrepreneur with a career spanning architecture, real estate, and climate innovation. He completed his Master’s Degree in Architecture in 2010 at the Department of Architecture of the University of Coimbra (DARQ FCTUC). After five years working as a project architect coordinator, he founded his own design company in 2015, operating across Angola and Portugal, where he developed multiple architectural projects. Since 2020, he has been the co-founder and managing partner of OUR WATCH LEADS – OWL, LDA, a startup focused on climate risk and resilience intelligence, and part of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre Alumni Network.
Gil Ribeiro
Architect (EAUM, 2002), urban planner/designer and professor. Presented the Master’s thesis “Negotiation or Annihilation” (2006) carried out under the Metropolis – Urban Architecture and Culture program (joint program of the Center for Contemporary Culture Barcelona and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya). He has been awarded the specialist grade in Architecture and Urban and Spatial Planning (IPC, 2022). Collaborated in several studios of architecture and urban planning and design, eventually developing an autonomous practice. From 2008 to 2011 worked as an Guest Assistant for University of Calgary study abroad architecture studio program in Barcelona. Gil was a researcher (and guest lecturer) for the University of Aveiro, developing work in the area of shared soft mobility. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Polytechnic University of Coimbra and the founder and manager of his own practice, NDSL - Nulla dies sine linea.
Magda Fernandes
Holds a degree in Geology, Educational Branch, since June, 2004, with a postgraduate degree in Environment and Spatial Planning, completed on November, 2005. Worked as a contract teacher, belonging to recruitment group 520, between 2005 and 2013. In 2013, she enrolled in a degree in Tourism and Leisure, completing it in 2016 with a curricular internship at Estrela Geopark Association. Since 2016, she has worked in the field of Education.
Romana Rocha
Heads RRplanning. She was Director of the Department of Spatial Planning and Water Resources at DHV in Portugal, and has over 20 years of professional experience in this field.