BrainMap

Mrs. Ana-Maria Popa

Researcher and Teaching assistant

Researcher and Teaching Assistant - UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Researcher | Teaching staff

Ana-Maria Popa is a researcher and teaching assistant at the Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest. Her research focuses on urban sustainability, urban planning, environmental assessment, and the use of spatial data and indicators in evidence-based decision-making. Her work addresses sustainability assessment, environmental justice, green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, resilience, and participatory planning. She has expertise in sustainability indicators, GIS and remote sensing, spatial analysis, planning document assessment, and interdisciplinary urban research. Ana-Maria has contributed to projects including CitizenPlanning, UNSEAL, and ReSURCe. Her research has been published in journals such as Landscape and Urban Planning, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, and Remote Sensing, as well as in book chapters published by Springer and Elsevier. She actively disseminates research through international conferences and scientific networks.

Web of Science ResearcherID: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/47265161

Curriculum Vitae (26/07/2026)

Expertise & keywords

Understanding and enabling the transition towards reverting soil sealing for improving urban biodiversity and nature-based solutions Call name: PNCDI IV, P 5.8 - SP 5.8.1 - COFUND-2023
COFUND-UNSEAL-1 2026 - 2028

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) (NL); Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL (WSL) (CH); University of the Aegean (UoA) (GR); Physi Solutions Kft. (PHYSI) (HU); Crowd Policy (CP) (GR); Gemeente Leiden (MoL) (NL); Reflex Környezetvédő Egyesület (RKE) (HU); Plan Biodivers GmbH (PBG) (CH); Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) (NL); Dimon Chalandriou (MoC) (GR)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Urban green is commonly accepted as a nature-based solution to increase biodiversity and human wellbeing in urban areas, by offering a multitude of benefits. Existing research as well as current urban land use policies and planning approaches focus on preserving or extending the functions of green areas to reduce the negative impacts of urban development. Meanwhile, circular models for repurposing urban space for biodiversity are hardly considered, although they offer opportunities for nature-positive urban development. Such circular models thus represent a paradigm shift in urban planning.

The aim of UNSEAL is to advance our understanding of processes of soil unsealing in urban areas and to identify opportunities towards further unsealing and creation of new urban space for biodiversity. Unsealing here indicates to the removal of buildings and other impervious surfaces, and its repurposing for green infrastructure. As such, it represents a circular model for regenerating, repurposing, protecting and conserving urban space for biodiversity (CUE Topic 2). Central to this aim is an inter- and transdisciplinary approach applied to five case studies areas throughout Europe. These differ in their implementation stage, ranging from visioning and exploration to implementation of unsealing activities, allowing us to address unsealing in a systemic way and facilitate co-creation with stakeholders at all relevant stages.

UNSEAL is organized in seven Work Packages (WP). In WP1 we identify ‘brightspots’ of soil unsealing (i.e. site specific locations where unsealing activities are possible, planned, or implemented) in case study areas and unravel their emergence and related leverage points. WP 2 focuses on the analysis and quantification of the benefits of unsealing in terms of biodiversity and ecosystems services provided. To that effect we systematically collect and review evidence to analyze bundles or ecosystem services, rather than individual benefits. In WP 3, we analyze existing planning instruments, models facilitating soil unsealing, and identify alternative, innovative approaches, based on existing scientific evidence and in-depth insights from the brightspots. In WP 4, we design and test inclusive and participatory approaches for the identification of opportunities towards further unsealing, including community-based visioning through digital and interactive tools. WP 5 focuses on the development of an overarching conceptual framework based on a systematic review of existing literature on the topic of unsealing, interaction with stakeholders from the case studies and policy makers at various levels. Moreover, we synthesize case study findings to develop generally applicable good practice guidelines for unsealing activities towards nature-positive urban development. WP 6 is dedicated specifically to the translation of project results for various targeted audiences, including our contribution to the DUT Knowledge Hub and WP 7 on project management.

UNSEAL builds on an international and interdisciplinary consortium of researchers, SMEs, and stakeholders from the five case studies, and includes co-creation activities with citizens throughout the entire project. This setup ensures a constant triangulation between scientific findings, policy relevance, and societal benefits.

The activities within the UNSEAL project will deliver new insights into 1) levers for a paradigm shift in land use planning and policy towards soil unsealing for nature-positive urban development, 2) successful approaches for justice and equity consideration in unsealing activities through co-creation, and 3) potential of out-scaling methodological lessons towards other cities in Europe, facilitated by generic and scalable tools.

Enhancing social equity in urban planning through citizen science Call name: P 5.1 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie - Competiția 2023
PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-1851 2025 - 2027

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=2826

Abstract:

Inclusivity is a main topic in many international policies and programs, creating sustainable cities being the goal of both UN SDGs and Habitat Agenda. The aim of the project is to assess the role citizen science can have in enhancing the social equity in urban planning using complex qualitative document analysis, spatial (including PPGIS) and statistical analysis, social networks and social media analysis, sociological and expert evaluations. The project is structured in 5 objectives starting with establishing a conceptual framework for assessing the role of citizen science in increasing the social equity in urban planning (O1), analyzing its contribution through public participation in administrative process (O2) and environmental activism (O3) and exploring different areas of urban planning (O4) with the aim of developing a conceptual model for promoting best practices in the field (O5). The originality of the project resides in the proposal of citizen science as tool for enhancing social equity in urban planning and the focus on different vulnerable groups in order to provide best practices for their inclusion and representation. The deliverables of the project include 7 ISI articles in Q1/Q2, 10 presentations at international conferences, 1 policy brief, a methodological guide, databases publicly available through webGIS application. Both project leader and members of the research team have good track of publications in the field of Urban, regional, and rural studies.

Growing Effective & Equitable Nature-based Solutions through Inclusive Climate Actions Call name: PNCDI IV, P 5.8 - SP 5.8.1 - COFUND-2023
COFUND-DUT-GREEN-INC-2 2024 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: ASOCIATIA INFORMART

Project partners: ASOCIATIA INFORMART (RO); University of Amsterdam (NL); Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE); Université libre de Bruxelles (BE); Luleå University of Technology (SE); Politecnico di Torino (IT); Les Etats Généraux de l’eau à Bruxelles (BE); Waternet Amsterdam (NL); City of Turin (IT); Skellefteå kommun (SE)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.roconferinte.ro/green-inc/

Abstract:

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have multiple benefits, but they can reinforce urban inequalities and injustices in cities. To better account for NbS dilemmas and trade-offs, both theory and practice have embraced Inclusive Climate Actions (ICAs) that tackle climate change and urban inequalities simultaneously. A systematic evaluation of ICAs in European cities, however, has not yet been executed. The GREEN-INC project will assess the performance of ICAs in five European cities (Amsterdam, Bucharest, Brussels, Skellefteå, and Turin) that face different climate change impacts and that are rooted in different urban planning systems. Through a systematic evaluation we will identify the institutional conditions and design principles under which ICAs help the uptake of NbS in different European contexts. Our research strategy consists of a comparative case study approach integrating four academic disciplines that each provide valuable perspectives on the effectiveness and social justice of ICAs. The design principles derived from these interdisciplinary assessments will be validated in five living labs with local partners in the five cities using digital twin technology. Altogether, GREEN-INC will help European cities to implement ICAs that result in a more just delivery and design of NbS by incorporating fairness and distributing NbS impacts as equitably as possible.

Developing a toolbox for assessing the resilience and sustainability of urban housing models in the context of environmental challenges Call name: P 5.2 - SP 5.2.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - Competiția 2023
PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-0828 2025 - 2026

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=2807

Abstract:

Environmental changes pose significant challenges and vulnerabilities to human society, necessitating swift action from policymakers and scholars. Urban areas, accommodating a large portion of the global population, face the need for resilient and sustainable housing models amidst mounting environmental pressures. This project focuses on assessing the resilience and sustainability of urban housing models in Romania, aiming to inform future residential projects and contribute to the understanding of this field. Building upon existing scientific foundations, the project integrates concepts of urban resilience and sustainability, bridging the gap between research and practical application. It highlights the need to consider climate change, biodiversity conservation, and various technological approaches in residential planning. The outcomes of the project aim to reshape policies and practices in economic development and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. However, challenges exist in predicting future transformations and effectively disseminating the findings. The project proposes a comprehensive assessment framework tailored to urban housing models, organized into working packages aligned with the research team's expertise. The project's goal is to formulate a methodological toolbox and provide scientific validation for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of current and future residential areas.

Contribution of small urban green infrastructure in achieving environmental justice Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1543 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=1702

Abstract:

Sustainable urbanization and environmental justice represent key topics in international documents like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Habitat Agenda and 7th Environmental Action Programme of the European Union. Small urban green infrastructures could have an important role in building sustainable and inclusive cities but the subject is still little approached in scientific studies because of the difficulties it poses, like the scale of analysis and the complex challenges these infrastructures face. The aim of the project is to analyze the contribution of small urban green infrastructure in achieving environmental justice using complex spatial and statistical analysis, remote sensing and sociological and expert evaluation. The project is structured in 4 objectives starting with establishing the conceptual framework for assessing the contribution of small urban green infrastructure in achieving environmental justice (O1), continuing with the assessment of the spatial (O2) and functional (O3) contribution of small urban green infrastructure in achieving environmental justice and developing a methodological framework for assessing their contribution (O4). The originality of the project resides in the approach of small urban green infrastructure which can be a valuable tool for creating compact green cities and on the focus of different social categories (in terms of age or social status) in order to provide inclusive planning and design options. The deliverables of the project include 4 ISI articles (cumulated impact factor over 8), 6 presentations at international conferences, 2 presentation at national conferences, case studies spatial databases publicly available through webGIS applications. Both project leader and members of the research team have good track of publications in the field of Urban, regional and rural studies.

Evaluating the role of nature-based innovations for healthy cities Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-0316 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=1589

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is to evaluate nature-based innovations (NBI) and their health effects, integrating them in a framework for urban planning which will lead to the creation of healthy cities.

First step will be assessing the Challenges of urban environments in Romania, by evaluating specific targets and goals of sustainability and resilience, the transformation of land use and urban functions, the search for green cities and identifying key actors in the urban planning process.

The evaluation of nature-based innovations will require identifying typologies and connecting a range of nature concepts, evaluating their effects in cities, determining the services and disservices to urban health and developing a model for integrating NBI in urban planning.

We will explore ways of moving forward towards healthy cities in Romania by assessing the determinants of urban health, identifying the drivers and barriers of health, demonstrating the role of NBI in health and developing a framework for using NBI for healthy cities.

The project will use selected scientific methods on three levels for each WP: (i) establishing the theoretical framework of analysis, (ii) evaluating the existing situation and (iii) developing toolboxes of indicators and models for going forward to the development of an integrative framework for nature-based innovations in healthy cities. Project will use state-of-the-art methods: network analysis, grounded theory, multicriteria analysis, spatial analysis and modelling, PPGIS, sociological surveys.

The framework will represent a new approach between scientific knowledge of nature-based innovations with their health effects and their implementation in the urban planning process. This represents a significant contribution of the project as it develops a new vision on different types of NBI, shifting views of the roles of stakeholders and promoting a participative planning process with sustainable objectives.

Nature-based sollutions for increasing cities resilience and sustainability Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0635 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=666

Abstract:

The UN Global Report on Human Settlements has warned that future synergic relations between urbanization and environmental changes will affect the stability of the human society. Urban ecologists need to develop integrative databases, principles, concepts and tools, required to create liveable cities. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) represent the cornerstone of new urban ecology approaches, which could help the urban areas to increase their resilience to new environmental challenges and improve their sustainability. The assessment of NbS has become an important challenge for practitioners, due to the high complex relations between the components of the urban systems, the high vulnerability to climate change, and the consequences in the social-economical systems. The project aims to assess the integration, acceptance, and the efficiency of NbS in Romania’s cities and to develop a conceptual model for enhancing cities resilience and sustainability, using and adapting some cutting edge methods (i.e. Grounded Theory, Qualitative Comparative Analysis, scenarios planning). The project starts with the identification of categories of NbS related to cities resilience and sustainability (O1). After, it assesses the integration of NbS in spatial planning (O2) and within different components of the urban environment (i.e.residential areas, green-blue infrastructure or social group facilities) (O3). Subsequently, the acceptance of NbS in cities will be assessed, along with the their conflictual dimension (O4). Finally, a conceptual model for enhancing cities resilience and sustainability based on NbS will be developed (O5). The project delivrables include 7 papers (cummulative IF over 12, high priority of top-ranked journals), 6 presentations at international conferences, 1 book, 1 workshop and 3 annual reports. The team includes 3 senior researchers, 3 postdoc, 1 PhD student and 2 master students, who will significantly contribute to the research in the field of Urban Ecology.

Experimental Methods for Ecosystems Services Assessment of Urban Lakes under Climate Changes Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-1300 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://ccmesi.ro/?page_id=39

Abstract:

Urban ecosystems services assessment is an important challenge for practitioners, due to the high complexity of relations between urban systems components, high vulnerability to climate change, and consequences in social-economical systems. Urban lakes represent a significant component in several Romanian cities (average 5% of total surface). Adequate urban management supports diverse benefits of urban lakes: clean water availability, mediation of waste, toxics and other nuisance, air quality and climate regulation, support for physical, intelectual or spiritual interactions. Due to underestimation of climate change and misfit urban planning decision, these benefits may be lost or chaged into diservices. The aim of the project is to assess the potential changes in urban ecosystems services supplied by urban lakes under land use and climate change, considering the Smart Cities principles. Using innovative and traditional methods (e.g. spatial modeling, scenarios, LIDAR, fluorescence, sensors, remote sensing, expert opinion), the project experiments the evolution of ecosystems services of urban lakes under the pressure of urbanisation and climate change. Considering three case studies, it will assess the actual level of main urban lakes` ecosystems services supplying: climate and air quality regulation, water selftreatment and cultural services. Considering these results, the multicriteria spatial models are proposed to validate and to generate an integrative overview of urban lakes` ecosystem services supply. Land-use and climate changes scenarios will prove the future evolution of urban lakes functions and will emhasize the direction to be targeted towards SMART territorial planning decisions.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects