Nyasha Harper-Michon: Building a Sustainable Future

With a passion for reshaping urban landscapes and fostering inclusive communities, Nyasha has carved out her own path as an "archtivist," a term she coined to blend architecture with activism. Born in Paris, France, to Trinidadian parents, Nyasha always had a deep sense of the importance of diversity and community. From an early age, architecture captivated her imagination, and during her studies, she sensed that traditional architectural practices had the potential to be more transformative. Nyasha's early revelations sparked a desire in her to design spaces that are not only functional, but also empower and inspire members of the community. Being confronted with Reference Man- an idealized standard the industry focuses on which often excludes diverse communities - her path began to diverge.

In Amsterdam, Nyasha's calling was amplified. Working in various roles from practice and education to consulting, she integrated social and environmental values into urban projects, engaging directly with different industry actors to advocate for inclusive city planning. She is now the Director of Programs at CP Planning, a Toronto-based community planning nonprofit supporting affordable housing and inclusive economies for marginalized communities. Over the years, she has made her mark at prestigious architecture and urban development events, such as the World Congress of Architects UIA Copenhagen 2023, Impact Festival Frankfurt 2023, Talent Night TEDxAmsterdamWomen, and the Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona 2024, to come this November. Nyasha is a founding board member of WomenMakeTheCity - a nonprofit aiming to foster inclusive, equitable and sustainable cities through an intersectional feminist approach - and her insights on sustainable urban development and social equity have been highlighted in the UNESCO Courier, on the UN Forest Podcast, and in Madame Architect.

Dedicated to raising awareness about innovative local environment solutions, the UNESCO Green Citizensinitiative resonates deeply with Nyasha. This initiative aims to spotlight citizen-led projects worldwide that address climate change and promote biodiversity, echoing her vision for a regenerative urban future. As a LinkedIn Top Voice Green, Nyasha is joining the initiative as an Influencer, using her platform to further amplify local efforts, inspire broader action, and highlight how young people can take sustainable actions for the environment in their own contexts.

Nyasha Harper-Michon empowers a global community of changemakers to reimagine urban engagement, design, construction, and experience, for the benefit of humanity and the planet. She believes that anyone can be an "archtivist," extending the concept beyond professionals to all who are passionate about inclusive, community-driven city design. Embracing Albert Einstein's ethos that "we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them," she educates the public about architecture's transformative potential. By championing UNESCO's vision for collective action and environmental stewardship, Nyasha embodies the spirit of "archtivism", inviting everyone to reimagine and rebuild our cities for a more sustainable and harmonious world.

Discover Nyasha's website

Read about Nyasha in the UNESCO Courier

Listen to Nyasha on the UN Forest Podcast