image credit: courtesy of EcoVidalDesign
Event Description
Architect and urban planner Carmen Vidal-Hallett (Brazil/Spain) brings more than 20 years of experience advancing sustainable architecture and urban planning in Brazil and Chicago. Deeply influenced by her Brazilian heritage—particularly the pioneering planning strategies of Curitiba, Paraná—she has dedicated her career to promoting environmental stewardship and educating future generations.
This presentation highlights the key zoning and master planning strategies that shaped Curitiba’s international reputation for sustainability, including integrated land use, open space preservation, environmental protection, affordable housing, historic preservation, and the development of cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
Since 2004, Carmen has collaborated with government agencies, academic institutions, and corporate organizations in Chicago, translating Curitiba’s lessons into practical initiatives. She will share project examples, policy strategies, and educational efforts that have contributed to Chicago’s first Climate Action Plan, as well as recent citywide initiatives focused on energy reduction, stormwater management, and BRT implementation.
This talk offers a cross-cultural perspective on scalable, resilient urban strategies that link policy, design, and education to advance sustainable cities.
CES: Estimated 1 LU/HSW for AIA Members
Speaker
Carmen Vidal-Hallett, Intl. Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, COAM, President, EcoVidalDesign, Inc.
Moderator
Gustavo Rocha Ribeiro, AIA, NCARB, AsBEA, CAU; AIA Latin America Founder and Past President; Founder, Sito Arquitetura
Speaker Bio
Carmen Vidal-Hallett is an architect, urban planner, and sustainability leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing integrated design, ESG strategy, and resilient urban development. She is the Founder of Eco Vidal Design (EVD), a Chicago-based WBE/MBE/DBE-certified consulting and design firm established in 2008, delivering projects that span green construction, LEED education, affordable housing, urban design, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Her work includes community-centered planning initiatives, rain gardens, bioswales, sustainable streetscapes, and large-scale urban frameworks that integrate equity, environmental performance, and economic viability.
Previously, Carmen served as Global Director and Senior Project Manager at JLL, where she led international real estate and construction programs across Asia, Europe, and Latin America for major corporate clients, managing complex portfolios, multimillion-dollar budgets, and multidisciplinary teams.
Her career also includes senior roles at the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she managed large public-sector and institutional projects. She also advanced green building standards and educated professionals.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Carmen is recognized for her leadership in community engagement, sustainable development, and global collaboration. Her work consistently advances the triple bottom line—economic performance, environmental stewardship, and social equity—positioning her as a trusted leader in sustainable urban transformation.
Moderator Bio
Gustavo Ribeiro is an architect and firm principal with over 30 years of experience in award-winning design, project management, and real estate development. As the co-founder of Sito Arquitetura in Brazil and Innovation Architecture in Coral Gables, Florida, he has led multidisciplinary teams in delivering complex projects across the residential, commercial, hospitality, and master planning sectors.
His career was launched in 1994 after winning the national competition for the Usiminas Cultural Center in Brazil, a milestone that established a trajectory of excellence and led to numerous subsequent awards for civic and institutional design. Beyond his practice, Gustavo has been a dedicated leader in professional advocacy, serving two terms as a board member of the Council of Architecture and Urbanism (CAU/MG).
Gustavo’s commitment to the profession is further evidenced by his role as the Founder and immediate past President of AIA Latin America. This tenure provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing international members. He remains dedicated to strengthening the institutional ties that support architectural excellence and professional growth on a global scale.
