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Department of Geography

Ifigeneia Dimitrakou
Ifigeneia Dimitrakou, Dr.
Senior scientist

Social Geography and Urban Studies

Tel.: 044 635 51 65
Room number: Y25 L 30
ifigeneia.dimitrakou@geo.uzh.ch

About

I am an urban studies and housing researcher. I hold a PhD in Urban Planning Design & Policies (Politecnico di Milano-cum laude), MSc. in Urbanism (TU Delft-cum laude), and in Architecture (AUTH-with distinction). Previously, I have worked in research and teaching at Politecnico di Milano and as a postdoctoral researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the Harokopio University, and the Greek National Centre for Social Research. Moreover, I have worked as an architect-urban planner for medium scale and independent design studios in Berlin.

Research interests

My research interest broadly centers on the role of housing in the production of the built environment, social reproduction, and socio-spatial inequality. Particularly, I am interested in understanding how social relations, power positions, and social antagonisms around accessing housing and home, are constructed and negotiated through everyday practices. My doctoral research examined processes of housing vacancy in post-crisis Athens; my current project looks at the governance of temporary housing in Swiss cities. 

Current projects

My current research project, supported by the UZH Postdoctoral Grant, focuses on the governance of temporary housing in the private rental market, analyzed through a socio-legal geographic perspective. Specifically, I investigate the practical implementation of regulations governing these property uses and how the promotion of flexible tenures in this submarket is reshaping the social dynamics connected to rent and place. In the past, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher on the Hannibal II project, which explored the intricacies of responsibility in managing property neglect within Germany's financialized rental sector. As a postdoc, I have engaged in collaborative research with institutions in Greece, including projects such as ISTOPOL: Polykatoikia Stories,  funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation and hosted by Harokopeio University (https://www.istopol.gr/), and the project Micro-segregation, funded by the Onassis Foundation and hosted by the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE).

Publications