Hola Madrid (Part 3 - Fundacion Metropoli)

During my travels I am always on the search for other great non-profit organizations. I think its only natural! Well, Fundacion Metropoli is a non-profit organization led by Alfonso Vegara, an Eisehower Fellow. His organization was responsible for the wonderful and diverse program that was put together for my visit to Spain. My program coordinator, Paloma Diaz, was wonderful at seeking out people and officials who could tell great stories and had some specific perspective and expertise.

The organization is internationally based and it seeks to contribute to the innovation and development of cities and regions. Their website is http://www.fundacion-metropoli.org/. Alfonso Vegara describes his interest as harnessing intellectual capital towards the betterment of cities, and to this end, has dedicated himself to seeking out visionary and strategic thinkers all across the world. His strategic partners include leaders from organizations including: Eisenhower Fellowships, University of Pennsylvania, Urban Land Institute, Partner for Livable Communities, International Society of City and Regional Planners, Arab Urban Development Institute, Taller de Ideas, etc, as well as an International Advisory Council comprising 45 urban experts such as Jaime Lerner, ex-mayor of Curitiba and Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London. The organization focuses on best practices and knowledge sharing.

Alfonso Vegara is an architect-planner. He has taught at many academic institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, as well as at several in Spain. Alfonso breathes and lives for the success of cities, and it would be great to get a dynamic group of thinkers together when he is next in Philadelphia.

Visiting their office was a big thrill for me, not just to absorb the nature of their work, but also to experience their Eco-box office building, a great example of innovative energy conservation and utilization. the two principles that the office is based on is to create an environment for creative thinking, and also integrate bio-climatic principles. Unfortunately, I did not get great pictures of the outside. I lost track of time speaking with all the other Spanish Eisenhower Fellows at the party that Alfonso and his wife threw, and then it got too dark. I do have a great book about the building to share when I get back.