Mika holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Geography (2020) and a master’s degree in Urbanism and Spatial Planning (2023). His master’s thesis focused on the inclusive urban regeneration of the historical center of Recife, a Brazilian city that suffers from an increasing housing shortage and, at the same time, high vacancy rates. Against this backdrop, Mika collaborated with marginalized communities that started to occupy vacant buildings to claim their Right to the City.
Mika joined the Research group for Urban development in 2024. His PhD research focuses on insurgent urban planning in collaboration with marginalized communities in the Global South.
Favorite (place in the) city?
Recife, a city that is not known by many outside of Brazil. People that do know it usually refer to it as Hellcife, a place with a deteriorated city center, endless traffic jams and a neverending scorching heat. But I have grown to love this city: the warm people, crumbling buildings, long beaches and carnaval – the best in the world!