Engages in critical studies of real estate and economic development tools such as Tax Increment Financing. Served as a TIF researcher for Rahm Emanuel and thus has professional experience working in this capacity.

Just released a new book on urban design, The Largest Art: A Measured Manifesto for a Plural Urbanism

MIT DUSP faculty member with expertise in planning and urban design

From her bio: " Her postdoctoral research explores African American diasporas and heritage through ethnographic study and documentation of the history of African American placemaking and planning in early ex-slave settlements as well as contemporary grassroots planning and social constructions of "free Black " communities."

Danish Architect and Urban Designer, founder of Gehl Architects and Gehl Institute. World renowned thought-leader on human scale design of cities and how the Copenhagen model has been so successful at creating more walkable, sustainable, equitable, and enjoyable cities.

Crosses bridge between Urban Planning and Architecture worlds - kept mostly separate in Taubman - so will have wide appeal to student body. Also, Jan is a veteran of public presentations around the world and gives a compelling, yet succinct showcase into his work and how it can be adapted to local contexts.

I would like to nominate bring Jonathan Pacheco Bell to speak at Taubman—he is a hybrid urban planner and urban librarian, UCLA Luskin alum, and has been working in LA as a zoning officer for over a decade! He is actively trying to promote a form of urban planning, which he calls embedded planning, that emphasizes putting humans at the heart of planning and being immersed in the communities that we serve. You can check out his piece about Embedded Planning that was published in the APA's planning magazine here. He also is on the APA's Social Equity Task Force.  

Recently, he's been giving a talk to put a human face on the housing crisis in California. Below is a description of the talk he gave in San Francisco at the SF Urban Film Fest. He's given many talks at UCLA and around California.:

"This presentation puts a human face on California’s housing crisis. Jonathan Pacheco Bell, a zoning enforcement planner in Los Angeles County, will tell the story of the Medina Family from the South Central L.A. community of Florence-Firestone, who built an informal granny flat for extra income after the sudden passing of their head of household. An anonymous complaint triggered an inspection and eventual demolition of the dwelling for code violations. It was Jonathan himself who ordered its removal. Audience members will understand the emotional rollercoaster the family endured while embroiled in this regulatory process and Jonathan’s inner conflict with the outcome."

Dr. Raja is currently directing Growing Food Connections, a comprehensive five-year initiative funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to build capacity of local governments to strengthen food systems.  Her additional research interests include the role of planning in communities experiencing conflict (she is especially interested in the region of Kashmir in South Asia), and the fiscal dimensions of urban and regional planning.

Housing scholar also well versed in finance, real estate issues, and digital platforms. Does work on Chinese investors and this might suit our international audience.

Bio: "With a particular focus on housing, Fields is interested in how the link between real estate and finance is being reconstructed since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, how residents experience this process, and its implications for housing policy and advocacy."

Google Scholar

Critical urbanist with a focus on smart cities and development of the Global South (particularly India). Also has connections with Martin Murray due to an edited volume.

If she would agree to come back--was previously a candidate for Asst. Dean but not hired.  Her presentation for that was extraordinarily rich and very well received by students and faculty.  In one of her recent books, she focused on immigration from Mexico, Detroit, and west Africa and the effects on "native" white residents in a small town in Illinois.  She uses this as a way to springboard into commentary about contemporary immigration debates and how different racial/ ethnic groups can work together.

Has done interesting work on poverty particularly in Africa, a notable venue and focus given this year's Nobel Prize winners in Economics.  Mature assistant professor, articulate, promising thought leader.  Her work marries traditional empiricism with subtle exploration of cultural influences on environmental conditions such as access to clean water.  Teaches environmental planning/ sustainability UC Berkeley.  POCIG member.