Virginia Grávalos is an urban development planner specialised in low and middle income countries. Gravalos has over 20 years of experience working on consultancy assignments worldwide, mainly for international organisations, in assignments related to integrated urban development policy and management, urban upgrading, urban climate resilience, management of historic urban areas, and investment programming; always with a strong focus on institutional strengthening and the participation of the local communities in decision making. Some of her latest assignments include: Task leader for the World Bank funded project “Planning, feasibility study, detailed engineering design and bidding documents for integrated drainage and resilient urban upgrading in Zanzibar Town” in Tanzania, where she led the development of comprehensive urban upgrading area plans for seven low income and unplanned settlements; and the consultancy assignment “Study on Urban Resilience in Vietnam” for the Agence Française de Développement. She is a member of the International Society of City and Regional Planner s (ISOCARP) and Spanish Urban Planner Association (AETU).  

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Selected projects and assignments

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2018 - 2020, ARS Progetti SpA / WB (Zanzibar, Tanzania), “Planning, feasibility study, detailed engineering design and bidding documents for integrated drainage and resilient urban upgrading in Zanzibar Town”, Task leader / Senior Urban Planner. Primary activities and outputs: in charge of the development of comprehensive urban upgrading area plans for 7 low income and unplanned settlements, with the active participation of the local communities since the inception stages.

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2019-2020, ARS Progetti SpA / WB (Zanzibar, Tanzania), “Consultancy services for preparing the Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Heritage Management Plan”, Senior Urban Planner. Primary activities and outputs: development of a conservation management plan for Stone Town WHp.

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2017-2018, AREP Ville / WB (Lao Cai, Vietnam), “Consultancy service for review and development of an urban planning strategy for Lao Cai city”, Deputy Team Leader Senior Urban Planner. Primary activities and outputs: development of an integrated urban strategy incorporating Climate Change considerations, identification of priority projects and implementation measures, concept urban designs, phasing plan and midterm investment plan for 2019-2025.

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2018, AREP Ville / AFD (Vietnam), “Study on Urban Resilience in Vietnam”, Consultant. Primary activities and outputs: research on urban resilience framework for Vietnam and identification of potential programs to be financed by the AFD.

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2018, AREP Ville / AFD (Chengdu, China), “Urban studies for the implementation of Chengdu Eco-city”, Team Leader. Primary activities and outputs:  development of objectives, policies, strategies and indicators for the development of a green neighborhood.

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2016-2017, AREP Ville / AFD (Yangon, Myanmar), “Resettlement Policy Framework”, Resettlement Expert. Primary activities and outputs: elaboration of RAP including assessment of impacts, definition of categories of AP and entitlements matrix.

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2016-2017, AREP Ville / AFD (Yangon, Myanmar), “Consultancy services for Waterfront redevelopment and river urban transportation project, Pre-feasibility study”, Senior Urban Planner. Primary activities and outputs: prefeasibility study report for the development of pilot sites along Pazundaung river and Yangon waterfront.

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2016-2017, AREP Ville / HPC (Van Phuc, Vietnam) “Masterplan for the Heritage preservation and Tourism development of handicraft village of Van Phuc, Hanoi”, Task Leader. Primary activities and outputs: development of the Conservation and Tourism Management Plan of Van Phuc with the close participation of the local community and private actors.

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2015-2016, ARS Progetti SpA / KRG (Kurdistan, Iraq) “Comprehensive Masterplan for the districts of Ba’adre, Bamarne, Shekhan and Zawita”, Senior Urban Planner. Primary activities and outputs: Comprehensive survey, projections, and demand analysis, needs assessment, development of scenarios, drafting of Strategic policy framework, zoning and building regulations.