Magdalena Novoa’s work focuses on the intersections of historic preservation and social justice, the politics of cultural heritage and memory, grassroots organizing, and alternative planning approaches in the Americas.  She is particularly interested in how cultural heritage and planning principles are mobilized by various actors to integrate or segregate historically marginalized groups, as well as the challenges that arise from the deindustrialization and the changing landscapes of cities. Dr. Novoa combines ethnographic, archival, participatory, and arts-based methods to understand the tensions between local knowledges and formal heritage and planning approaches and their implications in citizenship constructions. Through her engaged scholarship in Chile, she has investigated the role of memory and gender in placemaking and insurgent planning and assisted communities in making their places, narratives, and actions more visible in policy, practice, and research.

A native from Chile, her interest in historic preservation and cultural heritage as a resource for community development has been a sustained topic of her academic and professional experience. Prior to coming to the United States, Dr. Novoa worked in the National Monuments Council of Chile as head of the Education and Participation department, facilitating education and participatory processes in national and world heritage sites. Before that, she worked in the Sorrel Foundation and Open City Foundation in the UK, leading participatory design and planning processes and action research to involve youth in designing and planning their environments. She continues to connect research to practice by partnering with community organizations and NGOs, including her ongoing collaboration with Aldea in Chile and her role in co-leading OH! Stgo (Santiago, Chile), the largest urban festival in the country, giving free public access to 100+ buildings and spaces, walks, talks, and tours showcasing best urban practices over one weekend each year.