Who am I?

 My name is Mathilde GUERIN, I am French native and I have been working as urban planner in Greater Manchester for more than 3 years, and I specialised in urban regeneration projects. This blog illustrates the most important projects I have been working on so far through my three main fields of work: Conservation and design, Urban design and public realm improvement and Masterplanning, GIS (Geographic Information System) and visuals representations. These projects are a compilation of my work - from university, to student placements and professional experience. 

 Recently installed in Nantes, I am looking for a job in the field of urbanism and I am keen to implement in France the skills I have learnt in the UK.



Why a blog?

I have decided to create this blog to explain my body of work in a bit more in detail and in a format that my standard CV format does not allow. In my day-to-day work, new technologies play an important role. I am really keen on learning new tools, so the creation of this blog is a new and exciting challenge! 
But most of all, I have created this portfolio to increase my visibility for recruiters, to add value to my profile and to show what I am capable of, by using a cutting age way to communicate. Et voilà ! 


 My background

I grew up in France, not far from Paris in one of  the ‘new towns’ called Cergy-Pontoise, which were built as result of one of the last national urban planning policies carried out but the French government in the 1960s-1970s. These new multi-functional towns aimed to relieve Paris from congestion and to develop the outskirt of the capital.

For my Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Geographic Information System, I studied at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, and developed an interest in the built environment and developing urban areas.

Then I moved in Lille for two years for my bilingual Master’s Degree in Urban Planning. The region of Lille has similarities with Manchester as it developed considerably during the industrial revolution with the success of the textile industry. Both places started to decline with the industrial crisis of the 1960s and the same challenges affected the cities: rehabilitation of industrial sites, conservation of the built heritage, economic growth, improvement of historic areas, development of leisure, tourism… 

 During this time I developed a growing interest in the process of urban regeneration. This is why I decided to start my professional experience in Manchester, which for me symbolises urban regeneration in Europe and illustrates the many opportunities for the re-development of historic industrial cities. As a result of this living and working experience in Manchester, I am working on a range of different aspects of urban regeneration and the conservation of the built heritage.

I am passionate about this work and what motivates me the most is the ability to contribute to the regeneration of urban centres.  I have a special interest in public realm landscaping, the conservation of the built heritage and in the use of new technology to develop and present ideas.

Working as an urban planner creates unique opportunities to creatively enhance, and contribute positively to, the built environment. Most of all, this work allows me to engage in a wide range of projects, to be creative, to be collaborative and also to speak English.