José de Filippi, engineer, former Mayor, Diadema, Brazil

Peter Steinbrueck, architect, former City Councilor, Seattle

José de Filippi has just completed a third term as the Mayor of Diadema, Brazil. Diadema, located in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, had a reputation as a place of violence, inadequate housing and little economic potential. Under Jose’s leadership major changes have occurred. He focused particularly on innovative programs to reduce violence and on cooperative ways to renew the favelas within his community. Trained as an engineer, Jose believes good design can have a major impact on the livability of a city. Jose will study urban planning and revitalization and design during his Fellowship.

Peter Steinbrueck FAIA, principal of Steinbrueck Urban Strategies, LLC, is an architect who recently completed a third successful term as a Seattle City Councilor.Peter has lead efforts toadvance cutting edge sustainable practices in the Pacific Northwest. He played a major role in revamping citywide zoning to become more sustainable, and creating a new “Livability Plan” for Seattle’s urban core, to foster growth of vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods and a more pedestrian-friendly downtown. He has been an effective civic advocate for tearing down a crumbling elevated highway that separates the city from the bay of Puget Sound, Peter will study the politics, principles and best practices of urban sustainability in the U.S. while at the GSD.