People of IPG: Vanessa Guerra

VG: I am a non-resident researcher at Virginia Tech’s IPG and an Assistant Professor in Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture.

BP: How would you describe your research and praxis?

VG: Design and planning interventions to promote social inclusion and sustainable development in Latin American cities. Working on Inclusive-Cities, Informal Urbanism, Urban Resilience, Design Thinking, and Higher Education

BP: How did you become affiliated with IPG?

VG: Since I joined Community Change Collaborative (CCC) in 2016 as a student during my PhD at Virginia Tech, I've had the privilege of collaborating with IPG. Professor Max Stephenson was a part of my dissertation committee while at Virginia Tech. Over time, various research partnerships and projects have emerged among CCC colleagues and beyond, sustaining and growing to date. An example of such a partnership is the Mare Research Group, which was established in collaboration with the Rio de Janeiro non-governmental organization Redes da Maré in 2019. This team has been working on exploring self-organizing practices, media roles in promoting citizen and community agency, and social resilience in Maré amidst ongoing social oppression and disinformation during the COVID crisis.

BP: What are some projects you are currently working on?

VG: I'm fortunate to collaborate with incredible partners on various projects. Some of these projects involve exploring practices to decolonize informal urban practices in the Latin American region and analyzing the environmental resilience in Quito's Informal Car-Share systems. Additionally, I'm investigating how Rio de Janeiro's Mare Favelas community's newspapers contribute to community agency and social resilience in their communities. Another focus is on the pedagogical benefits of integrating urban informality content into urban planning program curriculums. I am also assessing the potential of applying behavioral interventions in public policy to promote more participatory planning, among other exciting endeavors.

BP: What does a typical day look like for you?

VG: I start my mornings with a few hours of early writing, followed by a 30-minute run or yoga for an energy boost. The rest of the day is filled with meetings and various teaching, research, and service commitments at the office. Evenings are for quality time with my husband as we cook dinner and unwind from the day. This is followed by either a Facetime call with family in Quito or a good book before bedtime.

BP: What is one detail your job entails that might be surprising for others to know?

VG: In my role, I participate in and host exciting meetings with various partners, colleagues, and students. While I love these engagements, I'm often surprised by the time needed to schedule and organize them.

BP: What inspires you to do the work you do?

VG: I am fascinated by the transformative power of education and knowledge to shape a better future. I'm passionate about actively contributing to processes that reduce inequality, address structural injustices, and promote social inclusion—especially for historically marginalized groups.

BP: What’s your advice to someone who would want to pursue your area of research or praxis?

VG: Absolutely go for it! Explore and connect with allies who share your interests. There are countless incredible partners awaiting collaboration, making the work truly rewarding.

BP: What is a potential area of research/grant in the future that you would like to study and/or work on?

VG: I am interested in exploring the role of different community-organized urban practices in the creative production of cities, in the US. There's a lot to explore and learn in that area, and I'm excited to expand into it in the future!

BP: What are some things you like to do in your free time?

VG: I love nature, outdoor sports, traveling and exploring new places, cooking, baking, admiring sunrises and sunsets, and, of course, engaging in a good conversation with family or friends over a cup of tea.