Torino, Italia +39 3516978895 valentina.restr98@gmail.com
Architect & Urban Planner passionate about shaping sustainable, resilient, and vibrant urban environments. By combining technical expertise with a holistic understanding of community needs, I develop innovative solutions to contemporary urban challenges. I have experience in both academic and practical projects in local and international contexts, always prioritizing authenticity, functionality, and social impact.
My leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, along with a constant enthusiasm for learning, allow me to work efficiently on both individual and collaborative projects.
This portfolio showcases a selection of my most significant works, developed throughout my academic and professional journey, with a focus on the social role of urban planning and architecture.
Curriculum Vitae Work Experience
iiSBE Italia R&D: Junior Researcher
Skills
Languages
•Spanish: Native
•English: C1 (IELTS 8.0)
•Italian: C1
Soft Skills
•Teamwork and Leadership
•Effective Communication
•Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
•Proactiveness
•Attention to Detail
•Organization and Time Management
•Adaptability and Flexibility
•Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
•Creativity and Innovation
•Development in International Contexts
Software & APP’s
ArcGIS
2023-Present
•Sustainable MED Cities (Interreg): Supporting Mediterranean pilot cities in enhancing the capacity of public administrations to develop, implement, and monitor effective measures, plans, and strategies through the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) methodology. The goal is to improve the sustainability of cities, neighborhoods, and buildings. Development of a digital platform and a participatory board game designed to promote community engagement in decision-making processes through social collaboration.
•AdaptNOW (Interreg): Assisting the city of Chivasso (Italy) in strengthening climate adaptation capacity by implementing and evaluating available climate adaptation and risk mitigation tools and practices. Key tasks included:
-Mapping the Urban Heat Island Effect, Albedo, and Skyview Factor to identify critical areas using GIS software.
-Calculating micro-urban vulnerability indicators to assess high-risk zones and propose urban development improvements.
•ReMED (Interreg): Utilizing GIS software to process satellite data and map the Urban Heat Island Effect in order to identify the most critical areas in Genoa (Italy) exposed to high temperatures. The goal is to minimize climate risks and enhance the city’s resilience to climate change.
Academic Background
•Master’s Degree in Territorial, Urban, Environmental, and Landscape Planning; Politecnico di Torino. GPA: 104/110.
•Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture; Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Colombia. GPA: 4.3/5.0.
1
Children’s Development Center
Learning without limits
2
Barcelona Rooftops
Rethinking unused spaces
3
4 Contents
Resilient Kharkiv
Vitality for a resilient future
Research Thesis
Assessing urban resilience in the vulnerable communities, the reppercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adapting to Climate Change
Assessing the Heat Island Effect risk in Chivasso, Italy
Climate Change Resilient Cities
Assessing the Heat Island Effect risk in Genoa, Italy 7 A Design Thinking role-play boardgame Urban Quest: A Decision-Making Challenge
Children’s Development Center 1
Learning without limits
The composition of this building is based on circular geometries, stemming from various studies that highlight the importance of spatial irregularity in the development and growth of children, as it represents a boundless learning experience and creates a fun environment.
The circulation, following the established geometry, is the key element that organizes the entire program and the different activities throughout the building. The hierarchical order of activities is represented in the differentiation between the two circular components—whether they are administrative or community-oriented, or more private and intimate spaces.
Barcelona Rooftops 1
This design proposal for the Rooftops Barcelona competition envisions a transformative approach to underutilized rooftop spaces, guided by four fundamental pillars: Social Cohesion, Local Economy, Decongestion & Pacification, and Recreation. These principles work in synergy to activate rooftops as vibrant community hubs, fostering urban health, social interaction, and economic opportunities.
The project employs a polygonal modular system, adaptable to various functions—from seating and greenery to play areas and market stalls. This strategy ensures flexibility, scalability, and replicability, allowing rooftops to evolve based on the needs of their users. Through placemaking interventions, we turn neglected spaces into dynamic environments that strengthen community bonds, enhance urban vitality, and contribute to a more sustainable city.
By reclaiming rooftops, we unlock their potential as multi-functional landscapes, transforming them into essential elements of the urban fabric.
Rethink unused spaces
Resilient Kharkiv
Vitality for a resilient future
This project envisions the resilient and safe reconstruction of a war-damaged area in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The master plan is structured around four key pillars—Peace, Growth, Vitality, and Meaning—which define public space activities, shape the architectural approach, and foster specific community dynamics.
The proposal focuses on Zone 3: Vitality, where urban and social well-being are enhanced through sports and recreational spaces designed for families. The residential building integrates diverse housing typologies and shared spaces, strengthening social cohesion and a sense of belonging. By promoting active and engaging environments, the project contributes to a vibrant, sustaina-
Research Thesis 4
Assessing urban resilience in the vulnerable communities, the reppercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the Post Un-lock project at the Politecnico di Torino, this work analyzes and evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable communities and their resilience capacity. The study focuses on assessing relevant indicators (KPIs) in the Barriera di Milano neighborhood in Turin, such as the presence of healthcare services and pharmacies, grocery stores, public transport stops, local demographics, and the availability of green spaces for urban health. The analysis calculates the distance of these elements from residential buildings, using the concept of the 15-minute city as a reference to assess how long it takes for residents to access each service.
Torino, Piemonte
Adapting to Climate Change 5
Assessment of the Heat Island Effect risk in Chivasso, Italy
The risk of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in Chivasso was initially assessed at an urban scale using GIS tools to analyze data derived from satellite imagery. This analysis allowed for the identification of 20 critical areas within the city and the determination of the risk level for each area. Subsequently, for each of these zones, six vulnerability indicators were calculated: green spaces, paved surfaces, shaded areas, roofing materials, albedo, and Skyview Factor. These indicators were used to assign a score and diagnose the vulnerability level of each area.
Finally, based on the results of the indicators, improvement measures were proposed for each area. The proposals indicate the necessary surface modifications to achieve an optimal vulnerability value.
Heat Island Risk
Land Surface
Temperature
Impermeable Ssurfaces
Exposed Population
Albedo
Chivasso, Piemonte
G Zone
Green Areas Roofs Sealed Surfaces
Diagnosis
IC1
IC2
IC3
IC4
IC5
IC6
Capacità delle superfici pavimentate di rifflettere la radiazione solare.
Capacità delle coperture di rifflettere la radiazione solare.
Albedo medio.
Disponibilità aree verdi.
Superfici pavimentate ombreggiate.
Vista della volta celeste
Piuttosto negativo
Piuttosto negativo
Piuttosto negativo
Piuttosto negativo
Piuttosto negativo
Examples of improvements
Climate Change Resilient Cities
Assessment of the Heat Island Effect risk in Genoa, Italy
As part of the ReMED (Resilience for Mediterranean Cities) project, which aims to promote the resilience of Mediterranean cities in the face of climate change, an analysis was conducted on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in the city of Genoa, Italy. This analysis was carried out using satellite imagery processed with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software tools. The objective was to identify areas at higher risk from this climate hazard, with particular focus on the most vulnerable populations exposed to its effects.
This approach allowed for the identification of priority zones for implementing adaptation measures aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as the rise in urban temperatures due to the reduction of vegetation and the expansion of paved surfaces.
Urban Quest: A Decision-Making Challenge
A Design Thinking role-play boardgame
With the aim of simulating real-world decision-making processes in an educational manner, Urban Quest employs an interactive and collaborative approach that guides players through all the main stages of the decision-making process. This allows players to understand the dynamics between different stakeholders and develop balanced solutions, practically and educationally replicating real-world challenges.
The game leads players through several phases: from selecting stakeholders and the interests they aim to defend, to defining the key issues to focus on within the case study. Next, players analyze the various indicators to consider and proceed with the diagnosis of the pilot area. Finally, they collaboratively decide on the final solutions, which represent and integrate the key interests of all involved stakeholders.
“Cities have had a more profound and lasting effect on human experience, creativity and personal growth than anything else people have done.”
