Like many other cities, the urban centre of Fuenlabrada faces a number of challenges, including the deterioration of the housing stock, the closure of local businesses and an ageing rate above the city average.
Elisa Pozo Menéndez
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PhD in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (2023), with the doctoral thesis with international mention "The city for people with dementia: methodology to integrate design and quality of life in European cities", Master's degree in "Sustainable Cities" (IFU-Paris, 2014) and Master's degree in "Environment and Bioclimatic Architecture" (UPM, 2019). She is co-author of the "Guide for planning healthy cities", published by the Ministry of Health and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), as well as scientific articles, book chapters and presentations at national and international conferences and congresses.
Her work at Matia Instituto focuses on accompanying the transformation of residential environments to create inclusive homelike spaces that promote quality of life and greater interaction and participation. She combines research with professional activity in her company mita atelier. In 2022 she has been selected in the 35 under 35 ranking of the Madrid World Capital Construction Association (MWCC) and Global Shapers Madrid, for the promotion of young talent in the architecture and engineering sector. In 2020 it received the third Talento Joven-Carné Joven award in the Solidarity category from the Community of Madrid for its work with the elderly in the Usera district.