Xavier Gabarrell Durany

Xavier Gabarrell Durany is a Professor in the Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), where he serves as Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) and Scientific Coordinator of SMART-ER in ECIU University. He leads the Sostenipra research group on Industrial Ecology and the Fertilecity project, focusing on sustainable urban development.

His research spans Circular economy, urban agriculture, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and waste management. With expertise in environmental assessment and sustainable resource management, his work contributes significantly to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. He has extensive experience in developing methodologies for evaluating environmental impacts of urban systems and agricultural practices.

Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong focus on integrating circular economy principles into urban food systems, with particular attention to resource recovery, nutrient cycling, and social acceptance of sustainable practices. His research increasingly examines the intersection of technological innovation, policy implementation, and social dimensions in urban sustainability transitions.

• Guarantor of ICTA 'María de Maeztu' Unit of Excellence 2015 (MDM-2015-0552)
• Guarantor of ICTA 'María de Maeztu' Unit of Excellence 2020 (CEX2019-000940-M)

Professor Gabarrell has supervised 21 PhD students to completion, with 14 of these since 2011, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring the next generation of sustainability researchers. His extensive grant portfolio includes leadership of major projects like FoodE, Clearfarm, and iDigiprime, with significant funding from European programs including Horizon 2020 and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). He has held key administrative roles including Academic Secretary of the UAB Graduate School (2013-2016) and coordinator of the Chemical Engineering Degree (2010-2013).

He leads the Sostenipra research group and coordinates multiple collaborative networks focused on urban sustainability, including the Fertilecity project which develops innovative approaches to urban agriculture and resource management. His work bridges academic research with practical implementation through partnerships with municipal governments and community organizations across Europe.