Pablo GDP

"As a housing expert, I believe science-driven innovation is key to redefining the future of sustainable living."

Making sustainable and user-oriented living a reality.

With over a decade of experience in architectural practice and urban planning consultancy, my innovative approach integrates cutting-edge research and sustainable design to create resilient neighborhoods that enhance residents’ well-being and transform urban spaces into thriving, equitable environments.

RESEARCH

My research is about bridging architecture and social sciences to explore how the built environment impacts space-use behaviors, mental health, and psychological bonding with places, with a particular focus on housing. With 10 years of architectural practice and extensive experience as a principal consultant on major urban planning projects, I aim to provide actionable insights that enhance the well-being of residents and the effectiveness of urban spaces. By leveraging data on residents' living conditions and histories, as well as their psychological connections to their homes, I create evidence-based designs tailored to specific target audiences. This approach ensures successful interventions in urban and residential settings, enhancing both functionality and user satisfaction. My expertise lies in developing comprehensive design guidelines, master plans, and designs for housing and large-scale urban projects. My research interests stem from a desire to integrate both material and symbolic aspects of housing, aligning with sustainable planning and user-centered design.

CONSULTING

I provide expert consultancy on urban planning projects to create sustainable, zero-carbon cities that are resilient and prioritize the well-being of their inhabitants. My services include housing project consultancy, focusing on sustainable housing that supports physical and mental health. I conduct scientific research on environmental topics to understand modes of utilization and socio-spatial profiles of populations in various projects. Additionally, I design and construct commercial and residential projects, integrating sustainable practices and user-centered design. My interdisciplinary research explores the impact of the built environment on space-use behaviors, mental health, and psychological bonding with places, particularly focusing on housing. I create evidence-based designs and master plans for housing projects, tailored to the needs of specific target audiences. Furthermore, I examine the impact of public policies on housing and urban development during crises, analyzing state interventions to improve housing conditions and reduce social inequalities.

Featured Project: veracruz 2024

We conducted a comprehensive six-month study for SUCASA, a leading developer of housing and mixed-use projects, focusing on identifying the needs and preferences of future residents in a new development in the Veracruz area, Panama. Our multidisciplinary team, which included three sociologists and a geographer, gathered qualitative and quantitative data from 150 respondents. We analyzed a 26-hectare area with high tourism potential and a complex social context.

Our objective was to determine the action space of future inhabitants (the area where people carry out daily activities, typically denoted using maps) by studying the users of the surrounding areas, drawing various samples. We anticipated future mobility patterns and the essential services they would demand. Through surveys in nearby areas and detailed mapping of services in Veracruz, Vacamonte, Howard, and Rousseau, we identified the commercial and tourism opportunities in the area, as well as the specific needs of the population. The work included mapping the action areas of different user profiles, their modes of activity and transportation, along with typological studies of existing buildings. Several innovations were also included in the suggested land uses, studies on possible residential block typologies, with key innovations in the use of parks to reduce heat islands, bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, areas with restricted car access, and mixed-use spaces to enhance quality social interactions and commercial opportunities at the site.

The results of this study will enable SUCASA to design a residential project that meets the expectations of its future residents and contributes to the sustainable development of the region.

Featured Project: Villa de Asturias 2023

One of my most recent and significant projects is a Territorial Ordering Scheme and Urban Master Plan, approved by the authorities in Panama, for the construction of a mixed-use neighborhood complex with bike lanes, linear parks, and an innovative system that utilizes green spaces and tree planting to prevent heat islands. This project, spanning over 90 hectares, was developed for SUCASA, the most prestigious housing developer in the Isthmus of Panama.

The work, which took more than eight months of active research and master planning, included an exhaustive study of the local population, examining their social, economic, housing, and transportation characteristics, along with a study of the project’s potential clients. This was carried out by our team, which includes sociologists, a geographer, and myself as the director and chief analyst.

Featured Project: NIMBY / LA RESERVA 2023

The Reserva project, situated on a prime commercial lot in a prime location of Panama City, faced a classic ‘Not in My Backyard’ (NIMBY) challenge. Residents were resistant to increased traffic in their low-density neighborhood and were concerned about changes to the demographic profile, given the area’s average age of over 50.

To address these concerns, the company commissioned us to conduct an in-depth study. We posed several key questions: Which groups oppose the project and why? What infrastructure needs does the neighborhood have that a potential redesign of the project could address to benefit the community? And what are the characteristics of the residents’ attachment to the place and their definition of home?

Our research involved surveys and open-ended conversations with residents, as well as design recommendations based on surveys of prospective clients interested in the project. The final report provided the company with a comprehensive understanding of the issues and explored several potential scenarios to collaboratively design a new project and project recommendations that would meet the needs of both the community and the developer.

14 Years of Excellence: Designing, Building, and Providing Architectural Solutions

With more than a decade of hands-on experience in master planning, architectural design, construction, and project management, I bring deep field knowledge to my consultancy work. This expertise allows me to provide tailored solutions, having successfully advised clients across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, as well as in the insurance industry. My thorough understanding of these areas ensures that I deliver practical, effective strategies that meet diverse client needs, complementing my skills as a scientific researcher.

Here’s a showcase of some of my projects, arranged in chronological order: