I'm from Belém, a city located at the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil. I have dedicated the past five years of my life to a non-profit organization that I started with a few friends after receiving a scholarship at MIT. Our organization works to create more democratic, sustainable, and humane cities by focusing on education and the inclusion of communities in the design process for public policies and real estate projects.

In addition, I love photography (you can see some of my work on my Instagram), music (even though the only instrument I know how to play is the "berimbau," which serves as the base for capoeira dance), and traveling. I enjoy learning about cities and countries through urban planning, interacting with people, and exploring on foot.

https://www.instagram.com/nassarlucas/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe that we don't really get to know a place if we don't get to know its people, their habits, and cultures. Therefore, since 2014, I have been joining communities like this one, trying to offer help and receive assistance from fellow travelers and hosts. I genuinely believe that connection and encounters are powerful tools for building tolerance, respect, and brotherhood among peoples. This is, after all, what I do for a living. As an urban planner, my work revolves around bringing life to public spaces, fostering conversations, promoting enjoyment, and creating opportunities for people to come together and be happy.

Interests

Flaneur, architecture, urban culture, photography. Also make connections and try different food.

• culture
• architecture
• photography
• politics
• traveling
• music
• history
• urban planning

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Caleb Trask

Books - Life and death of american cities

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I received a scholarship from Fulbright to study city planning at MIT and Harvard. When I arrived, I was initially eager to delve into the study of gentrification in Amazon's cities. However, once I was there, I shifted my focus to a more practical goal: founding an NGO and making a hands-on impact.

Five years after my experience in the US, our organization has successfully executed more than 10 projects and is steadily growing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach some portuguese, something about Amazon and Belém's history and architecture. Share some amazing amazonian food and maybe something about cities and why I belive they are the most fantastic of all human kind inventions.

Countries I’ve Visited

Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, United States