dipl.-ing. arq. ronaldo ramirez

Date of birth          26 May 1934.

Place of birth        Chile

Nationality             British
qualifications Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Chile, 1962. Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies. University College London, 1970.
languages

 English, Spanish
present position HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW  AT THE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING UNIT, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
specialisation Teaching, research and consultancy: urban sociology, development studies, urban poverty, housing  theory, low-cost housing in developing countries (policies, programmes, projects, implementation), community participation in housing programmes.
supervision of phd theses

1982-2002: Supervision of 13 doctoral theses already approved. Supervision of   5 doctoral theses in course.
previous position

1987-1999 Senior Lecturer, Director of Master's Course: "INTERNATIONAL HOUSING STUDIES". Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London (UCL), University of London.

1980-1987 Senior Lecturer, Director of Master's Course in Urban Development Planning. DPU. UCL.

1974-1980 Lecturer at the DPU, UCL.

1973 Visiting Professor at the Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley, USA.

1967-1973 Professor at the "Departamento de Estudios y Planificación Urbana y Regional (DEPUR), Universidad de Chile". Director of Housing  Division.

1964-1967 Lecturer and full-time member of the academic staff at the "Instituto de Edificación Experimental (IEE), Universidad de Chile".
current and recent research work

Current: Factors for Successful Community Initiatives at the “Barrio” Level: the Case of Cuba

1999-2000 Urban Poverty Alleviation Through Environmental Upgrading in Rio de Janeiro: the “Favela Bairro” programme

1983-1989Self-help Housing Provision in Latin America: the Case of Venezuela.
other academic activities Series of lectures and seminars in: London School of Economics (1977-1979); Bouwcentrum International Education, Rotterdam (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984); Institute of Social Studies, The Hague (1975);  Instituto Universitario di Archittetura de Venezia (1982, 1988, 2001, 2002, 2003); University College Swansea (1981); Architectural Association Graduate School, London (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990); Technische Hochschule, Darmstadt (1984); Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá (1991); Universidad de Chile (1992 - 1995); Hong Kong University (1992);  Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (1992); Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (1995, 1999, 2000); Universidad Nacional del Tucuman (1996); Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (2002, 2003, 2004);  External Examiner: (1984-1988), Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development, Polytechnic of North London. (1991-1995), Master's Course in Urban Planning in Developing Countries, University of Wales, Cardiff. (1993-1996) Master's Course Housing and Urbanism, Architectural Association Graduate School.
overseas assignments

1999 SENEGAL, IVORY COAST, SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA. Consultant to UNCHS(habitat). Preparation Background Paper IFUP Conference in Nairobi 19 

1999 BOLIVIA, PERU, EL SALVADOR, NICARAGUA. Consultant to SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) Evaluation of PROMESHA, training programme on low-income housing in Latin America. 

1998 CHILE. Field work, research on housing policy and poverty alleviation in Chile. 

1998 KENYA. Consultant to UNCHS/HABITAT.   Writing International Forum on Urban Poverty (IFUP)  Report. 

1997 COLOMBIA. Consultant to FUNDACION SANTIAGO DE LAS ATALAYAS .Casanare International  Seminar. Paper: “General Principles, Characteristics and Procedures for the Creation of a Development Corporation in Casanare.” 

1997 INDONESIA. British Council Link Award between DPU and ITS. Visit to Laboratory for Housing and Human Settlements. ITS, Surabaya. Seminar: “Nasional Arsitektur Kota & Bisnis Property”. Paper: “Urban Housing after Habitat II”. 

1997 COLOMBIA. Consultant to “Gobernación de Casanare”. Design and Implementation of  training workshop for staff of local organisations: “ Development of Casanare Department in an International Context”. 

1997 EGYPT. Consultant to UNICEF. Area Based Urban Development Meeting. Paper: "Local Governance Models, Decentralisation and Urban Poverty Eradication". 

1995 EGYPT. Consultant to UNICEF: Establishment of an Urban Policy Unit to Assist the Government of Egypt in its Effort to Eradicate Urban Poverty.  

1994 CHILE. Training consultant to ODA. Formulation of training project to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. 

1993 INDIA. Joint Course Coordinator: Integrated Approaches to Community Based Slum Improvement. Training course sponsored by ODA. In association with National Institute of Urban Affairs, Delhi. 

1993 COSTA RICA. Consultant to UNDP: Guidelines for International Assistance in the Field of Housing and Human Settlements.  

1993 COSTA RICA.  Consultant to UNDP: Project Document: “Definition and Strategic Coordination of International Cooperation in the Fields of Housing and Human Settlements in Costa Rica”.  

1993 COSTA RICA. Consultant to Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement, sponsored by FINNIDA/UNCHS(HABITAT)/UNDP: Evaluation of international technical assistance projects in field of housing urban development in Costa Rica. 

1992 COSTA RICA. Consultant to Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements. Sponsored by FINNIDA/ UNCHS/UNDP. Adviser on National Housing Strategy. 

1991 FINLAND. Consultant to Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA): Evaluation of Government of Finland and UNCHS (HABITAT) International Support Programme for Preparing National Shelter Strategies, in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Philippines and Indonesia. (In collaboration with Wakely, P. and Mumtaz, B.) 

1990 CHILE. Coordinator of Academic Exchange Programme between DPU and University of Chile, 1990-1993. 

1990 COLOMBIA. Adviser to "Universidad Nacional, Bogotá, Colombia". Sponsored by ODA. Assistance to the organisation of Master's Course in Urban Studies. 

1988 SRI LANKA. Consultant to National Housing Development Authority (NHDA), sponsored by ODA. Evaluation of Galle Urban Project. 

1986 PERU. Adviser to "Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima,". Sponsored by ODA and the British Council (BC). Assistance to the organization  of postgraduate courses in urban development and housing. 

1986 MEXICO. Adviser to "Instituto de Administración Pública, México". Sponsored by ODA and the BC. Training courses to technical staff in regional planning and housing agencies. 

1985 INDONESIA. Adviser to Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, sponsored by ITB-UCL Programme, World Bank. Assistance to Master's Course in Urban and Regional Planning. 

1983 MEXICO. Adviser to "Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Asentamientos Humanos". Sponsored by ODA. Training courses to technical staff. 

1978 JORDAN. Adviser to Amman Urban Region Planning Group, sponsored by USAID. Training courses to Planning Group technical staff.
other professional activities 1960-1973 Private consultant: architecture and planning work. Development, design and construction of housing groups and community centres.
publication

2004 “Factores que Contribuyen al Éxito o Fracaso de Proyectos Comunitarios. Experiencias en el Barrio Pogolotti, La Habana, Cuba”. Boletín INVI n. 50. Santiago de Chile.

2003 “Ciudad y Pobreza: el Paradigma Cualitativo de la,Pobreza Urbana”. In: Marcello Balbo, Ricardo Jordán, Daniela Simioni (eds): “La Ciudad Inclusiva”. Cepal. Santiago de Chile.

2002 “Urban Poverty Reduction and Urban Security Consolidation: a New Paradigm at Work?”.  UN-Habitat UMP Paper Series n.20.

2002 “Cittá e Povertá: il Paradigma Qualitativo de la Povertá Urbana”. In: Marcello Balbo (ed.): “La Cittá Inclusiva”, Franco Angeli, Milano.

2002 “Evaluación  Social de Políticas y Programas de Vivienda: un Análisis de la Contribución de la Vivienda a la Reducción de la Pobreza Urbana”.  Boletín INVI n.45. Santiago de Chile.

2001 “Notas Sobre Medio Siglo de Políticas de Vivienda”.  Vivienda Popular,  n. 10 Montevideo.

2001 “Favela Bairro and a New Generation of Housing Programmes for the Urban Poor” In collaboration with L.Riley and J.Fiori. Geoforum  n.32. London.

2001 “Physical Upgrading and Social Integration in Rio de Janeiro: the Case of Favela Bairro”. In collaboration with J.Fiori and L.Rilley.  DISP 147. Zurich

1999 “Social Integration and Security for the Urban Poor: Towards a City for All”. IFUP/UNCHS. (http://unchs.org/ifup)

1998 “La Vivienda como Tema de Postgrado. Contenido, Contexto y Dirección”. In collaboration with Jorge Fiori. Revista CIUDAD. N.14. Quito. Ecuador.

1992 "Housing Privatisation in Great Britain and Policy Prospects for the 1990's". in: Korea National Housing Corporation. "Prospects on Housing Policy and Technology Development for the 21st Century. Proceedings of International Symposium on Housing. Seoul.                 

1992 "The Formulation of National Shelter Strategies. Six Case Studies: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Indonesia". In collaboration with Patrick Wakely and Babar Mumtaz. DPU Working Paper N.59. January 1992.

1992 "Notes on the Self-Help Housing Critique: Towards a Conceptual Framework for the Analysis of Self-Help Housing Policies in Developing Countries". In collaboration with Fiori. J. In: Mathey K. (ed): "Beyond Self-Help Housing". Mansell, London and Profil Verlag, Munchen.

1992 "The Commodification of Self-Help Housing and State Intervention: Household Experiences in the Barrios of Caracas". In collaboration with Fiori, J;, Harms H and Mathey, K. In: Mathey K. (ed): "Beyond Self-Help Housing". Mansell, London and Profil Verlag, Munchen. Also as DPU  Working Paper N. 26. London, April 1991.

1990 "Urbanization, Housing and the (Withdrawing) State: the Production-Reproduction Nexus". In: Datta, S. (ed): "Third World Urbanization: Reappraisals and New Perspectives". Swedish Council for Research in Humanities and Social Sciences. Stockholm.

1987 Notes for Comparative Research on Self-Help Housing Policies in Latin Americas". In collaboration with Fiori, J. Institute of Industrial Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  TRIALOG n.18, Germany, 1988.

1982 "Urbanization in Contemporary Latin America. Critical Approaches to the Analysis of Urban Issues". Book edited in Association with Gilbert, A and Hardoy, J.E. John Wiley and Sons. London.

1974 "Planning in a Social Vacuum". Royal Town Planning Institute. Summer Conference Proceedings. London.

1972 "Diversificación Profesional y Problemas Nacionales". Facultad de Arquitectura y  Urbanismo, University of Chile. Santiago de Chile,
papers submitted to conferences and seminars

2004 “Factors Affecting the Success or Failure of Community Initiatives. Experiences from Havana, Cuba”. In collaboration with Kosta Mathey.  Submitted to N-Aerus meeting on “Urban Governance, Diversity and Social Activity in Cities of the South”. Barcelona, Spain.

1998 “Local Governance Models: Decentralisation and Urban Poverty Erradication” (Submitted to UNICEF  Area Base Urban Development meeting, Egypt.)

1990 "Research on Non-Conventional Housing Policies in Venezuela:  Preliminary Findings". International Conference on "The Management of Non-Conventional Housing Policies in the Third World". In collaboration with Fiori J. Institute of Industrial Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and DPU, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1986 "Políticas de Vivienda Basadas en Auto-Ayuda  en los Paises Subdesarrollados". Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies. National University of Engineering,. Lima, Perú.

1985 "Self-Help Policies in Latin America: the Cases of Venezuela, Brazil and Chile". In collaboration with Fiori, J; Harms, H and Mathey, K. International Conference on Urban Renewal and Housing for Low-Income Groups in Metropolitan Areas of Latin America. Technische  Universitat, Hamburg-Harburg.

1984 "Social Determinants and Limits of Government Intervention in the Provision of Low-Cost Housing in Developing Countries". Institute of Housing Studies. BIE. Rotterdam.

1984 "The Return of the Squatters in Chile". Paper submitted to "Urbanization In Contemporary Latin America Seminar (UCLAS). DPU; Department of Geography UCL; Architectural Association Graduate School and International Institute for Environment and Development, London.

1982 "Self-Help Housing in the Third World: the Policies and the Politics". In collaboration with Fiori, J. Mimeo.

1982 "The Changing Problematic of Urban Social Studies". Instituto Universitario di Archittetura di Venezia.

1981 "The Politics of Collective Consumption: Self-Help Housing in Chile". UCLAS. London.

1979 "The Housing Queue, Chile 1958-1973". UCLAS, London.

1979 "The Role of the Informal Sector in Third World Countries". In collaboration with Fiori, J. DPU-AA Graduate School Symposium. London.

1978 "Mode of Production, Dependent Social Formations and the Social Production of Space. Some Analytical  Propositions". UCLAS, London.

1978 "Housing Policies under Different Political Conditions. Chile 1958-1973. Research Studies Seminar. Bartlett School. UCL. London.