Svava Riesto

Svava Riesto is Professor of History and Theory of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science, leading the Research Group Landscape Architecture and Urban History and co-leading the European Architecture History Network's Interest Group for Women and Gender in Architecture.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, University of Copenhagen (2012)
• Mag. Art. in Art History, University of Copenhagen (2001)
• Cand.mag. in Art History, Arctic University of Tromsø (1997)

Professor Riesto researches urban landscapes through cultural values, ecologies, and social change with specialization in 20th-21st century Scandinavian welfare states. Her work critically examines social housing as living heritage, gender dynamics in architectural practice, and climate-resilient urban transformation, consistently integrating historical perspectives to address contemporary planetary challenges through collaborative methodologies.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• UCPH Faculty of Science Research Dissemination Award (2024)
• Diversity Award nomination by Foundation for Entrepreneurship (2023)
• City of Copenhagen Building Award (2015)
• Eslargart Foundation Honorary Scholarship (2014)

She has supervised four PhD projects to completion and currently co-supervises Anne Pind's eco-feminist spatial practices research. Securing over €3.2 million in grants, she leads projects like 'Learning from Collaboration. Building Future Practice' (Realdania-funded) and 'Stories from Sofiegården' (Augustinus Foundation), while directing the 'Frem i Lyset' initiative diversifying architectural histories. Her research collective Aktion Arkiv pioneers participatory action research on European social housing crises through oral histories and archival interventions.