Convivencia Urbana develops solutions to public life.

Convivencia is a Spanish term for the capability for coexistence across differences. The goal is not to get rid of differences but to get things done. Convivencia creates conditions for innovation, public trust, and equity. The projects of Convivencia Urbana focus on ways the civic, cultural and public organizations can get from ‘why’ to ‘how’.

Facilitation and Coaching

Supporting leaders and staff in telling their story and learning from others.

Reflection with colleagues around the world is a brilliant way to enrich one´s idea of the possible and to understand one´s own work better. I enjoy creating opportunities for professionals in an inspiring and inclusive environment. My recent work includes:

  • Design and facilitation of the MetLib Learning Circle, a global learning network for library leaders, in collaboration with IFLA.

  • Expert workshops as part of the architectural competition for the new Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design (FIN).

  • Mayoral coach on public innovation as part of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative (USA/CAN).

  • Keynote listener and provider of reflection for the Urban Libraries Council´s CEO Roundtable (USA).

  • Moderation of sessions for the Gambrell Foundation´s trip to the Nordics (USA).

Public Speaking and Writing

Combining research, leadership experience and concrete examples.

Over the last few years, I have given dozens of keynotes around the world on my research on coexistence, on the Nordic idea of wellbeing, and on the future of public libraries and other public spaces.

My recent talks on the conditions of coexistence include the Creative Bureaucracy Festival (D), Lifetime Arts (FIN), Kansas City Library (USA), City of Boston (USA), Edmonton Public Library (CAN), Calgary Public Library (CAN), Boston Public Library (USA), City of Edmonton (CAN), Quebec Library Association (CAN), Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CAN), Toronto Public Library (CAN), Finnish Museum Association (FIN), City of Helsinki (FIN), Los Angeles Public Library (USA).

To highlight good practices of co-existence, I write a newsletter on clever solutions called Policies for Convivencia.

Read and watch here,

Strategic Design and Advisory

Supporting institutions in clever policies and partnerships.

Convivencia Urbana advises organizations in how to turn the complexity of urban life into thriving places, services, partnerships and working cultures. The projects focus on understanding and redefining the challenge collaboratively with staff and stakeholders, experimenting new ways of working and sustaining the lessons into institutional practices.

My own speciality is engagement, partnerships, policy and leadership. The work builds on my international academic research and my decade of city leadership experience from Helsinki. In the projects I collaborate with designers and researchers, such as Conic Group (USA), Miltton (FIN) and Demos Helsinki (FIN).

My projects include:

  • How to integrate convivencia into services, spaces, and staff development? w/ Edmonton Public Library (CAN)

  • How to build local partnerships for intellectual freedom? w/ Urban Libraries Council (USA)

  • How to ensure a hobby for every child? w/ Gambrell Foundation (USA)

  • How to bring the expertise of stakeholders into an architectural design competition w/ the Museum of Architecture and Design (FIN)

Clients and Partners

Let’s talk.