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Filipa Wunderlich
Associate Professor in Urban Design / Director MRes Interdisciplinary Urban Design, The Bartlett School, University College London
Professional Background
Filipa Matos Wunderlich is a distinguished Associate Professor in Urban Design at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL). With a profound commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, Filipa also serves as the Director of the cross-faculty research programme MRes IdUD (Interdisciplinary Urban Design), fostering collaborative inquiry into urban design practices. Her impressive career trajectory includes former roles as the co-designer and director of the prestigious MSc Urban Design and City Planning program at UCL, where she has actively contributed to the academic community since 2010.
Filipa's earlier professional experience encompasses significant practical roles as a chartered architect and urban designer at KCAP, Kees Christiaanse Architects and Planners in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This unique blend of academic and hands-on experience allows her to bridge theoretical frameworks and practical applications in urban design, ultimately enriching her students' learning experiences.
Education and Achievements
Filipa's academic journey is as diverse and rich as her professional background. She pursued her PhD in Planning / Urban Design at The Bartlett School, UCL, which solidified her expertise in urban environments and their complex dynamics. Her foundational studies in architecture commenced at the Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto, followed by further architectural training at the Technical University of Delft, establishing a solid technical and design-oriented foundation. In addition to her architectural pursuits, Filipa trained as a classical musician at ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, showcasing her multifaceted talents and interests.
Filipa's contributions to the field are noteworthy, particularly in her research focused on the intersection of urban design and performative arts, exploring the sensorial, temporal, and rhythmic qualities of urban environments. She is widely recognized for her influential scholarship on the urban experience of walking and the pivotal roles of temporality and rhythmicity in urban spaces. Her significant publications, including seminal papers and book chapters, have shaped contemporary discussions within urban design theory and practice.
Some notable works include "Walking and Rhythmicity: sensing urban space," published in the Journal of Urban Design in 2008, and "Place-temporality and rhythmicity: a new aesthetics and methodological foundation for urban design theory and practice," as featured in a recognized publication from Ashgate Publishers in 2014. Additionally, her co-authored book “Capital spaces: the Multi-complex Spaces of a Global City” reflects her deep engagement with the evolving landscape of urban design on a global scale. Currently, Filipa is focusing on a forthcoming publication that delves into the critical aspects of Place Temporality, expected to contribute further to the discourse surrounding time and rhythm in urban design.
Achievements
Filipa's career is marked by several significant milestones that highlight her expertise and commitment to advancing the field of urban design. As an associate professor at the Bartlett School of Planning, she has influenced countless students’ paths in architecture and urban design. Her leadership as the director of the MRes Interdisciplinary Urban Design program has provided a platform for innovative research and cross-disciplinary collaboration, enabling emerging urban designers to explore their unique interests and skills.
Throughout her time at UCL, Filipa has actively cultivated methodological foundations in urban design that resonate with contemporary societal needs, emphasizing equality and well-being in urban contexts. Her interdisciplinary research contributions position her as a key figure in academic and professional discussions about urban place and performance.
Overall, Filipa Matos Wunderlich stands out as a passionate advocate for thoughtful urban design that embraces the rich, multifaceted nature of urban spaces. Her unique combination of skills as an architect, urban designer, musician, and educator not only enriches her academic endeavors but also inspires the next generation of urban design professionals. Filipa’s work continues to resonate within the fields of urban studies and design, as she challenges conventional notions and advocates for a more vibrant, human-centered approach to our cities.