Susana Gonzalez, AICP, MCRP ’18, was recently highlighted by the Congress for New Urbanism in their Latino Spotlight.
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Susana is an accomplished Colombian architect and urbanist currently based in Orlando since 2018. She completed her undergraduate studies at the prestigious Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, where she graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, earning summa cum laude honors. Following her graduation, Susana played a pivotal role in some of Medellín’s most significant urban projects, including the renowned Parques del Río, Unidades de Vida Articulada, Santa Madre Laura bridge, and the iconic metro cables. Her contributions were instrumental in the municipal administration’s recognition as the recipient of the esteemed Lee Kwan Yew World City Prize, awarded by the Singapore government for their exceptional accomplishments in creating livable, vibrant, and sustainable urban communities worldwide.
In 2016, Susana relocated to New Jersey, where she pursued and successfully completed a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning at the Edward J Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. During her time there, she actively participated in the Innovation in Affordable Housing contest organized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, Susana gained invaluable experience working with the New York City Department of Transportation, where she played a key role in designing the city’s inaugural Chicane pilot project, showcasing her commitment to innovative urban planning.
Currently residing in Orlando, Florida, Susana is employed as an urban planner at LandDesign, an esteemed interdisciplinary firm. With her exceptional vision and attention to meaningful details, Susana excels in planning and design across various projects, including master plans for single-family and multi-family housing, mixed-use developments, and public spaces. Her passion for community service extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she actively leads initiatives to support and assist children in her hometown of Medellín, Colombia.
Overall, Susana Gonzalez, AICP, stands out as an accomplished professional with a rich background in architecture, urban planning, and community development, consistently making significant contributions to the field and striving to create sustainable and thriving urban environments.