Javier Vergara Petrescu is an urban architect and social innovator, passionate about creating more equitable and sustainable cities.
As the Founder of Ciudad Emergente, he has led numerous public space planning and engagement initiatives in more than 10 countries transforming public spaces and empowering communities.
As Co founder of Plataforma Urbana and Plataforma Arquitectura / ArchDaily, he pioneered online platforms that democratize access to architectural information and foster global dialogue, currently reaching 15.2 million monthly pageviews.
Javier’s Selected Works
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Social Cohesion Initiatives
Included in the UN’s Good Practices Catalog to achieve the SDGs, these can increase interpersonal trust in 71% and reduce crime in neighborhoods in 23% through community meetings in public spaces.
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Sustainable Cities Initiatives
Awarded with the UN Scroll of Honor, they allow greenhouse gases emissions to be reduced by 9 times and increase the demand for sustainable modes of transportation.
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Tools for Civic Activism
Applied during urban tactics they allow to leverage citizen support to mobilize a cause and inform bottom-up decision making processes - while transforming people in agents of change.
An example of the Social Cohesion Initiatives is the Gran Malón, which translates into more than 550 community events that occur simultaneously in Chile, involving 25,000 people and 49 local governments. Replicated in Latin America in Peru and Colombia with the focus of integrating migrants with the name of La Mesa Latina.
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Javier has led multiple sustainable cities initiatives using innovative processes, tactical urbanism and incremental design. These have proven effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving safe, inclusive and friendly streets, and inspiring climate action through easy-to-replicate solutions.
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