Petra Marko is an architect and placemaking expert who focuses on shaping and promoting people-oriented cities and public spaces. As Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB), she leads an interdisciplinary team spearheading strategic tools in architecture, urban planning and participatory placemaking for the City of Bratislava, with the aim to increase quality of life for its citizens and address global challenges the city faces. Prior to her role at MIB Petra co-founded and ran a London-based placemaking practice active across public spaces design, town centres regeneration and masterplanning in the UK and Cenral Europe. She led the research and campaign for unlocking London’s small sites, sat on UK’s National Infrastructure Commission and taught as design tutor at The London School of Architecture. Petra champions greener cities as active commuter cyclist and is a regular speaker at international forums. She co-authored VeloCity, a strategic vision for the future of the countryside and Meanwhile City, a guide on best practice for temporary interventions. Petra grew up in Bratislava, trained as an architect and creative entrepreneur in Vienna and London, and returned to her home city after 20 years abroad to help make positive change for people and their environment.