Overview
Alejandro Echeverri’s
Professional Philosophy and Academic/Practice Trajectory Alejandro believes in the ethical responsibility of designers to contribute towards building a more just and sustainable society. His trajectory integrates architectural, urban, environmental projects and planning. He is Distinguished Professor in Urbanism at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, and co-founder of URBAM, the Center for Urban and Environmental Studies at EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia. He is also a Loeb Fellow at Harvard GSD and the recipient of the prestigious Obayashi Prize in 2016.
Leadership in Medeline Between 2004 and 2008, Alejandro served as Director of the Urban Development Institute (EDU) of the Municipality of Medellin, and later as the city’s Director of Urban Projects. In these roles, he led the Social Urbanism strategy, aimed at improving the most impoverished neighborhoods. This transformative initiative turned Medellin into an international model for innovative approaches to distressed cities worldwide.
Research and International Consulting Since 2010 through URBAM, and from 2020 at Tecnológico de Monterrey, his research has focused on urban, environmental, and social challenges in emerging developing countries, particularly those characterized by weak political and institutional structures. In addition to his work in Colombia, Alejandro has extensive experience as an international consultant and advisor, contributing to multidisciplinary teams engaged in urban, environmental, and social projects in various Global South countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama, and India.
Architectural Practice and Awards Alongside his academic and advisory roles, Alejandro continues his design practice through his architectural studio, focusing on projects with low environmental impact in tropical regions. His work in architecture and urbanism has earned multiple prestigious awards, including the Colombian National Architectural Award (1996), the Pan-American Biennale in Urban Design Award (2008), the Curry Stone Design Prize (2009), and the 10th Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design from Harvard GSD (2013), among others.
Academic and Intellectual Contributions Alejandro has collaborated as a professor, lecturer, and board member with several international academic institutions. His intellectual contributions include books and scholarly articles in the fields of architecture and urbanism, with a strong focus on environmental and spatial justice.
