Maria Paula Moreno Vivas

🏠 Housing policy urbanist who explores the intersection of city planning, affordability, and community wellbeing.📰 Co-founder @ Urbanism Now

From Bogotá 🇨🇴 to the world—building homes, shaping communities.

Education

🇪🇺 MSc in Urban Studies (4CITIES)
Brussels, Vienna, Amsterdam, Oviedo

🇺🇸 BA in Political Science
San Francisco, California

Research

_{My thesis explores the implementation of Developer Obligations (DOs) as a Land Value Capture (LVC) tool in Bogotá, Colombia, analyzing governance frameworks, institutional changes, and market dynamics. Through case studies and stakeholder interviews, it highlights the need for flexible, participatory approaches to align public goals with private investment, emphasizing that DOs' success depends on local context and adaptive governance for sustainable urban development.}
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Professional Experience

Utrecht University, Netherlands
Visitor Researcher focused on Community Land Trust models in Rio de Janeiro, orchestrated communications across
contributors for The Routledge Handbook of Precarious Housing, and researched land use policies to improve informal settlements in Latin America.Nuestra Casa, East Palo Alto, CA
Housing Program Coordinator, designed the HEAD program supporting low-income families, facilitated focus groups on energy efficiency, managed housing cases, assisted 1,000+ families, and coordinated with stakeholders.HomeRise, San Francisco, CA
Strategic Initiatives Intern proposing retention strategies for housing projects and organizing community activities.San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, CA
Legislative Aide Intern supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts, achieving a 94% rate, and researching housing and tenant protection policies.