On International Women's Day, a selection of professionals who helped shape architecture, landscape architecture, and urbanism in Brazil
Submitted at Mar 8, 2026, 8:00 AM
Mulheres que ajudaram a desenhar as cidades brasileiras (Divulgação/Divulgação)
International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8, is an even greater opportunity to recognize inspiring women's journeys. In the context of architecture and urbanism, several women took part in pivotal projects that shaped how cities are conceived, inhabited, and experienced.
Many of these professionals worked in contexts still not very receptive to the presence of women in technical and decision-making fields. Even so, they left important contributions in works, urban plans, cultural institutions and public policies. We list 7 of them (who deserve to be recognized throughout the whole year!) below.
Born in Italy and based in Brazil from the 1940s onward, Lina Bo Bardi built a trajectory deeply connected to Brazilian modern architecture. Her work combined structural rigor, social sensitivity, and an interest in popular culture.
(Reprodução/Divulgação)
Among her best-known works is the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), whose free span has become one of the urban landmarks of Avenida Paulista. Lina was also responsible for projects such as Sesc Pompeia, in São Paulo, where former industrial structures were transformed into cultural and social spaces.
In addition to being a civil engineer and public administrator, Carmen Velasco Portinho was the first woman to earn the title of urban planner in Brazil. Throughout her career, she worked in public institutions and took part in debates on urban planning and housing.
Carmem Portinho (Creative Commons/Divulgação)
One of her best-known contributions is linked to the Pedregulho housing complex, in Rio de Janeiro, designed by Affonso Eduardo Reidy. Carmen took part in conceiving the housing program and managing the project, which sought to integrate housing, education and leisure within a single urban structure.
A visual artist of Japanese origin, Tomie Ohtake built a career marked by a constant presence in urban space. Her sculptures and installations became part of the landscapes of different Brazilian cities, dialoguing with architecture and with people's everyday life.
Tomie Ohtake. (Reprodução/Divulgação)
Among her best-known public works are monumental sculptures on avenues, squares, and parks. The artist also took part in the creation of the Tomie Ohtake Institute, in São Paulo, which has become an important cultural center dedicated to contemporary art.
A landscape architect and urban planner, Rosa Kliass helped consolidate landscape architecture as a professional field in Brazil. Her work stands out for the emphasis on public spaces and for the understanding of greenery as an essential part of urban life.
Rosa Kliass (Marcelo Scandaroli/Divulgação)
Throughout her career, she took part in projects for parks, squares and open areas in different cities. She also played an important role in shaping and organizing the profession, helping to structure associations and debates on landscape architecture and environmental planning in the country.
A central figure in the history of Rio de Janeiro's urbanism, Lota de Macedo Soares was at the forefront of the creation of Flamengo Park, in Rio de Janeiro. The project transformed an extensive reclaimed area of Guanabara Bay into a large-scale urban park.
Lota de Macedo Soares (Instituto Lota/Divulgação)
Despite never having attended university, Carlota was recognized as a self-taught architect and an eminent landscape designer. In addition to Flamengo Park, another of her iconic creations is Casa Samambaia, where she lived with her wife, Elizabeth Bishop.
An architect and professor, Mayumi Souza Lima devoted a significant part of her career to developing projects focused on education and childhood. Her work was tied to creating school projects that considered children's needs.
Mayumi Souza Lima (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Among her best-known projects are schools and educational centers developed mainly in São Paulo. Her approach sought to integrate architecture, pedagogy and urban space, proposing projects that would encourage social interaction, autonomy, and learning.
An urban planner, researcher, and professor, Raquel Rolnik built a trajectory marked by reflections on the right to the city, housing policies and urban planning. Her work includes academic contributions, participation in public policies, and roles in international organizations.
Raquel Rolnik (Marcos Santos/USP Imagens/Divulgação)
Throughout her career, she helped expand the debate on urban inequalities and on democratic access to the city. Between 2003 and 2007, she was the National Secretary for Urban Programs at the Ministry of Cities, as well as a Special Rapporteur for the United Nations on the right to adequate housing in the following years. To this day, she serves as a professor at the School of Architecture and Urbanism at USP.
