Urban Matters Consulting
Helping cities thrive in harmony with people and planet
Value-driven international consultancy supporting eco-social urban transitions.
We co-design strategies that integrate social and environmental sustainability.
Cities work best when urban systems support human development and respect life.
This happens when cities are understood and designed as living systems—the built and natural environments coexisting to meet human needs while regenerating (not degrading) ecosystems. By valuing interdependence and long-term wellbeing, urban environments can enable both people and nature to thrive.
We use these 6 interconnected approaches:
- Urban governance that is humble and experimental
- Environmental management grounded in deep ecology
- Housing as a basic human right
- Food systems based in agroecology
- Planning and urbanism that is regenerative
- Economic redesign towards eco-social wellbeing
What we do
- Independent urban research
- Futures thinking and foresight
- Policy and governance advisory
- Strategy design
- Implementation
How we approach it
- Driven by principles of eco-social urbanism
- Sustainable development understood as a balance between its social, economic and ecological dimensions
- Sustainability not as greening, but as regeneration
- Promoting public sector-led innovation
- Cities as living systems and relational networks
What we can offer to
Public sector
Local, regional, and national governments
Why? Now, more than ever, it is critical to place citizens and social justice at the heart of urban policy making. Governments are responsible to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental commitments such as NDCs and CO2 reduction targets. We understand there is substantial pressure and public scrutiny. Integrating social justice in existing and new agendas will build public support not only during election times, but will also create legacies to be proud of.
Engage us for:
- Research of specific urban challenges in close collaboration with your local universities and relevant stakeholders
- Advising on the process and formulation of urban policies and strategies on affordable housing, inclusive mobility, social equity, human and economic development, internationalization, etc.
- Co-creation or strengthening of action plans and roadmaps for implementation
- Integration of projects and actions that achieve goals across multiple areas. For example, synergizing housing and climate resilience plans to optimize time and resources.
- Urban governance: adopting Social Urbanism and/or Mission-oriented projects or models.
See for example our work with: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia resulting in a new District Development Plan 2024-2027: A City of Rights (Plan Distrital de Desarrollo 2024-2027 Ciudad de Derechos) with a human rights approach.
Private sector
Developers, planning, design, architecture firms
Why? Make communities your allies: where some see conflict and opposition, we see opportunity and potential. By aligning with social needs, urban development projects become beloved by communities and surpass the test of time and public scrutiny. It will also open new opportunities and markets as socially-sensitive projects are in high demand.
Engage us for:
- Social strategy: we help create places that allow and promote social wellbeing and human flourishing, by understanding what people need and providing it.
- Assessment and measurement of social dimensions of built environment projects: human rights compliance, promotion of wellbeing, social connection, positive emotions, access to opportunities, knowledge sharing, etc.
- Early-stage Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), social infrastructure studies, social research and measurement, community and stakeholder engagement strategies, etc. that influences urban design and planning decisions
- Company-tailored methodologies for embedding social value in urban projects and in the company’s standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Strengthening the “S” in ESG impact investment requirements and social risk management
See for example our work with: Traza Urban Consultancy on social engagement and communication to boost Citizen Energy Communities and Renewable Energy Sources in the EU project ‘Lightness’
Third sector
NGOs, think-tanks, and international organizations
Why? There is growing recognition of the importance of social justice in urban development and of ensuring urban sustainability transitions are done in a just way. The third sector is uniquely placed outside of, but working together with, the public and private sectors to play a critical, integrator and collaborative role in advancing social justice. We can support your organization whether urban social justice is your main goal or if you want to make it part of your current projects or operations.
Engage us for:
- Research and analysis of social, economic, or political issues in urban development and transitions
- Urban comparative studies using a multi-level proven methodology that analyzes national, regional, and local contexts to draw implementable lessons across case studies
- Policy recommendations, multi-stakeholder initiatives and collaborative action plans
- Organizational advocacy strategies and participation in global narratives, networks, funding and events to advance your mission
- Scan of opportunities to connect research and practice and maximise social outcomes
See for example our work with: the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) Built Environment Program to design, manage and deliver the two-year global research project «Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment«, a study that explored human rights and social justice in climate actions in 8 cities around the world. Also, an example of urban comparative research.
Academia
Universities and research institutions
Why? With a record of award-winning urban research we bring scientific rigor, innovative research design, and insightful thinking to academic projects. We also build capacity and instill social justice and urban sustainability values in the next generation of urbanists and change makers.
Engage us for:
- Urban studies including urban sociology, geography, economics, political economy, urban systems, etc. employing quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Research ideation, design, management, conduction, analysis, and communication of results in diverse media for various audiences.
- Guest lectures, talks and discussions on social innovation, social urbanism, human rights in the built environment, social value, urban sustainability, new economies, and similar topics
- Teaching, tutoring, dissertation guidance and support to university students and junior researchers
- Strategic partnerships with a global network of universities to engage in cutting-edge, internationally-funded projects.
See for example Alejandra’s academic publications in social innovation (Taylor & Francis) and social urbanism (Palgrave Macmillian)