Our Story
About CIVITAS URBAN LABS
Ms. Larissa Ortega
Founder & Principal
Architect & Urban Planner
The Founder
Larissa Ortega
Architect, Urban Planner, and advocate for sustainable, equitable cities.
Ms. Larissa Ortega is a bilingual architect and urban planner with over 5 years of experience shaping cities across two continents. Born and educated in Brazil — one of the world's most complex urban laboratories — she brought her expertise to the United States with a clear mission: to make American cities more sustainable, equitable, and resilient.
Her career spans both the public and private sectors. In Brazil, she contributed to municipal masterplans, environmental impact assessments, and heritage preservation programs for cities along the São Paulo coast. In the United States, she has led planning engagements for municipalities across California and Michigan, building a practice rooted in data, community, and design excellence.
As a women-owned business founder, Larissa is committed to building a firm that reflects the communities it serves — diverse, innovative, and deeply committed to the public good.
Academic Formation
Bachelor of Architecture & Urbanism · Specialization in Urban Planning and Environmental Management · Advanced studies in Sustainable Urban Development
Professional Experience
5+ years across public agencies, private architecture firms, and nonprofit organizations in Brazil and the United States. Specializing in masterplanning, heritage preservation, and sustainable urban design.
Our Purpose
Mission & Values
We exist to help American communities build cities that are livable, sustainable, and just — for every resident.
People First
Every planning decision begins and ends with people. We design places where communities thrive.
Environmental Stewardship
Sustainability is not a checkbox — it is woven into every recommendation we make.
Cultural Sensitivity
We honor the diverse identities, histories, and aspirations of every community we serve.
Excellence in Practice
We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards in every deliverable we produce.
Our Vision
To be the premier urban planning firm for diverse, growing American cities — where international expertise, bilingual capacity, and community-first values create plans that truly endure.
Let's Work Together
Work With Us on Your Next Project
Whether you represent a municipality, developer, or nonprofit — we would love to explore how CIVITAS can help.