MARIA DOLORES PITARCH GARRIDO

MARIA DOLORES PITARCH GARRIDO is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Geography and History, University of Valencia. She is affiliated with the Inter-university Institute for Local Development (IIDL) and actively contributes to two research groups: INNODES (Innovation and Local Development) and RIUMED (Mediterranean Hydrology). Her academic focus lies in Human Geography, with extensive research on urban and territorial dynamics.

Her research interests center on Human Geography, particularly in the areas of urban planning, tourism geography, social innovation, territorial resilience, and climate change vulnerability. She also investigates demographic trends, gender issues in STEM, and accessibility to public services. Her work emphasizes socio-spatial equity and sustainable development, especially in the Valencian Community and broader Spanish context.

The most recent publications reflect a strong focus on tourism impacts, urban accessibility, and climate adaptation. Themes include short-term rental stress, post-pandemic tourism shifts, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Her interdisciplinary approach combines spatial analysis, social theory, and policy evaluation to address contemporary urban challenges.

She has contributed to EU initiatives such as the EQUALS–EU project, promoting gender equality in STEM. Her advisory role includes supervising academic theses and guiding research on territorial development. She has been involved in projects assessing sustainability in tourist destinations using SDG frameworks and evaluating social innovation in cultural heritage.

Her research is conducted within collaborative frameworks, including the INNODES and RIUMED groups, and through the IIDL. These teams focus on local development, hydrological systems in the Mediterranean, and innovative strategies for territorial resilience. Her work integrates geographic technologies to measure spatial equity and improve urban planning.