Lina Bondarenko

Lina Bondarenko is an architectural researcher and the Director of Steep Urbanist, a platform that investigates how dense human infrastructure responds to the logic of land geography.12 She has a diverse background and expertise in urban architecture, particularly focusing on steep terrain and challenging topographies.

Education and Background

Lina was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and raised in San Francisco, California.3 She pursued her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she studied Architecture and Urbanism Research as a graduate student.13

Professional Work

Steep Urbanism:: Bondarenko's primary focus is on "Steep Urbanism," which she describes as a global inquiry into the spaces that result when human geography, topography, and infrastructure collide.2 This project explores how urban development adapts to and interacts with challenging terrains.

Research and Platforms:: As the founder and director of Steep Urbanist, Lina has created a platform for investigating and sharing insights about urban interventions in steep environments.45 Her work often involves examining the relationship between horizontal human societies and vertical landscapes.

Notable Projects and Contributions

1. Urban Interventions: Bondarenko has worked on various projects related to urban architecture on steep terrain, including research on metal structures and dimensional occupancy.4

2. Public Engagement: Lina has been involved in public events and tours, such as the Steep Urbanists Tour during San Francisco Design Week, where she shared insights about how human infrastructure responds to the logic of the land.6

3. Academic Presentations: She has presented her research at conferences, including a talk on "Steep Urbanism: A Horizontal Human Society Confronts a Vertical Landscape" at an architecture conference.5

Lina Bondarenko's work bridges the gap between architecture, urbanism, and geography, offering innovative perspectives on how cities can adapt to and thrive in challenging topographical conditions.