Originally educated in architecture and urbanism, Julia developed her design skills working on territorial scale masterplan projects across Brazil. These included territorial, environmental, economic and socio-spatial diagnoses, and then crafting technical material to support legislation and zoning. Through the planning projects, Julia was exposed to communications and public engagement moments which helped grow her interest in geography and participative processes. In 2019, Julia relocated to Europe to study a Master’s of Urban Studies and Geography (VUB-Cosmopolis) to expand her knowledge in the human dimension of spatial design. This contributed to her decision to join Osmos.
Julia is concerned with how people and communities help to shape their environments. She has a strong interest in understanding the drivers underlying community and local dynamics. She has worked on the redevelopment of social housing sites in Brussels and studied gendered aspects of public spaces. Julia has been involved in community engagement events with migrant communities using physical activities such as gardening, to enable interactions.
She is a very adaptable and fast learner, quickly translating abstract ideas into graphics and schemes, making her a great asset in participatory and multi-disciplinary contexts.
- MSc in Urban Studies – Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- MSc in Geography – Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- B Architecture and Urbanism – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR)
- Technical Architecture – Escola Politècnica Superior d’Edificació de Barcelona (ES)
- Facilitator – Urban Foxes Intern (BE)
- Architect and urbanist – Ethos Urbanismo e Arquitetura LTDA (BR)
Expertise
Portuguese (native speaker)
English (fluent)
Spanish (fluent)
French (proficient speaking and writing)
Julia's insights
Rue Haute
/// Project
Redevelopment of a social 400 unit housing complex in a dense inner-city neighbourhood fit for the 21st century.
Connecting Nature
/// Project
A European research program (H2020) developing nature based solutions: ‘bringing nature to cities and cities to nature’.
Designing means not ends
/// Publication
Humanity has a good idea of what a sustainable future looks like, but struggles to get there. Process Design – an Explorer’s Guide
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Eric Haas
Eric is a co-founder of the Osmos Network, focused on the organisation’s business development.
Francesca Gualino
Francesca is a community development worker, educated in psychology.
Hanne Van Reusel
Hanne is an Osmos Network partner bringing the team expertise on the commons, participative processes and the development of public space.
Laurens Van der Cruyssen
Laurens is an Osmos Network partner bringing the network expertise in psychology, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and human-centred design.
Liana Simmons
Liana is an Osmos expert bringing the network a strong foundation in collaboration and cooperation to empower local and regional organisations and communities.
Marco Kooistra
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Michael Kaethler
Michael is an Osmos expert bringing the network theoretical and methodological skills to address complex and systemic problems often rooted at an epistemological (knowledge) or ontological (being) level.
Nienke Schachtschabel
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Stephan Kampelmann
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Toha De Brant
Toha is an Osmos expert bringing the network expertise in anthropology and years of practical experience with community building, advocacy and grass-roots development. As a passionate photographer, she also supports the team with documentation of events.