Urban designer, public space scholar and activist, cultural entrepreneur. Member of the Prize’s Board of Experts (2022-2026)

Dr. Luisa Bravo is a distinguished public space scholar, activist, and cultural entrepreneur who brings more than two decades of expertise as both an academic and practitioner. Her work has taken her to over 30 countries, where she has conducted research and lectured at leading universities while contributing to major UN summits. In 2013, she founded the non-profit organization City Space Architecture, through which she has launched groundbreaking initiatives such as The Journal of Public Space, the Public Space Academy, and the Public Space Museum based in Bologna, Italy. Her leadership has also led to strategic collaborations with UN-Habitat and the Davos Baukultur Alliance of the World Economic Forum. Through her interdisciplinary work that connects academia, policy, and practice, Dr. Bravo has become a prominent voice championing public space culture and civic participation via research, education, and global cooperation. She serves European and international institutions as an expert evaluator and advisor, contributing her expertise to programs including Horizon Europe, EIT Culture & Creativity, and the Global Platform for the Right to the City. Dr. Bravo also holds the position of Adjunct Professor of Urban Design at the University of Florence in Italy.

Last update: January 2026