Dr. Paulina Schiappacasse works as a senior researcher and lecturer at the Chair of Spatial Development at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) for 14 years.  She has a background in human and social geography, urban economics and regional planning. Prior to her movement to Germany she was a professor at University of Chile, University of Santiago de Chile and University Andres Bello, and a consultant in urban and regional environmental and development issues. Her research interests include urban sustainability and resilience, international planning systems and urban and regional development in economically less developed countries. She has work experience in several countries in North and South America, Asia and Europe. She is currently participating in two research projects: “Transition towards urban sustainability through socially integrative cities in the EU and in China” financed by the European Union, and “Management of Mineral Resource Extraction in Hoa Binh Province. A contribution to sustainable development in Vietnam” supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.