Pratt Institute

Biography

Mercedes is a registered architect and urban planning consultant and has been teaching at Pratt since 2009. From 1990 to 2008, she worked as a Assistant Director of Community Planning / Senior Planner and Project Manager at the Pratt Center for Community Development where she provided technical assistance in planning and development to different community-based groups and other stakeholders throughout New York City to improve their neighborhoods quality of life, address issues of inequality and promote sustainable development.
Mercedes has an extensive experience in New York City’s land use processes, including coordination and preparation of 197-a community-based plans, and review and analysis of rezoning actions and other environmental review procedures. She has also coordinated the preparation of public policy advocacy reports.  As an architect, Mercedes is experienced in building design and construction rehabilitation of affordable housing in New York City. She holds two masters degrees from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Architecture from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela.