Matúš Vallo is an architect, urban activist and city expert. He fell in love with his profession when he was only sixteen, while living in Rome for four years during his secondary-school studies. In addition to the Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak University of Technology which he graduated from in 2004, he acquired his knowledge about architecture also by participating in numerous study visit programmes and conferences. Having been awarded a Fulbright grant, in 2010-2011 he went to Columbia University, New York, to conduct research focused on civic engagement in the city. He was invited twice to participate at CityLab, the most prestigious international conference on urbanism organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies. In spite of all the global opportunities he could choose from, he spent all of his energy on Bratislava. Together with Oliver Sadovský he established a recognized architectonic studio, Vallo Sadovsky Architects, which worked on a Mayor of Bratislava, number of projects implemented in Bratislava as well as on numerous the capital city of national and foreign projects. Along with architecture, he is active also the Slovak Republic in urban activism. He is the driving force behind the “Urban Actions” initiative which has generated over 900 projects aimed at improving public areas in 20 Slovak and Czech towns and cities sin1c8e S2e0p0t8e.mHbeeirs 1a977 founder of the “We are the City” civic association whinicBhrafoticsulasveas on public areas with the intention of stimulating communication and interaction between the expert and the lay public. At the same time, he co-initiated establishment of a civic association named “Stará Tržnica Alliance”, the aim of which is to enliven the space and to use the potential offered by Stará Tržnica. In 2016 he started working on the Bratislava Plan, joining 76 of the best urban experts from different areas. The result of their active cooperation is a document which offers a comprehensive manual for dealing with particular challenges that Bratislava is facing. The Bratislava Plan became a basis of his election campaign. Since he won the municipal elections in November 2018 and became Mayor of Bratislava, he and his team aim to implement the elements of the Plan in individual areas of the city’s management. His main focus, as a Mayor, is on high quality public spaces and sustainable forms of transport, such as public transport and cycling infrastructure. Among other priorities are green solutions, fighting against visual smog, transforming the city ́s social policies and affordable rental housing. He was re-elected as Mayor in October 2022.