SPURS Newsletter 2023

LETTER FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR

Faizan Jawed Siddiqi Acting Director, SPURS/Humphrey Program

ing can form. Therefore, I am particularly interested in exploring how the program has fared in this regard over the past decade.

Reframing Particular Problems as Shared Challenges

I want to start by offering condolences on behalf of MIT’s Special Program for Urban and Regional Studies (SPURS) for the loss of lives, communities and property in the aftermath of the floods in Pakistan and the ongoing war in Ukraine. In the last two decades, SPURS has hosted four Fellows from Ukraine and many more from Pakistan. Unsurprisingly, these alumni have been at the forefront of relief and rebuilding efforts in their home countries. We salute and admire the spirited leadership and resolve of SPURS/Humphrey Program alumni to improve the human condition in their respective areas of work and influence.

It is an honor for me to be writing this letter as acting director of the program. I started at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) as a master in city planning student in 2011. Since Bish Sanyal was my advisor, I was introduced to SPURS on day one. I fondly remember attending the SPURS Seminar as a master’s student. Later, as a PhD student in DUSP, I worked with SPURS as a doctoral associate, supporting various program activities. Along the way, I also befriended several Fellows with whom I continue to stay in touch. Based on my long association with SPURS, I would like to offer some reflections on the program and how it helps shape a global community of urban practitioners.

Founded in 1967, SPURS is underpinned by the humanistic belief that human beings, under the right conditions, through their individual and collective agency, can improve the human condition and influence the course of history. What does this mean in practice for SPURS? In practice, this means fostering an environment where this individual agency can bloom and a shared collective vision for problem-solv-

Successful problem-solving, as research on organizations and social change has shown, depends critically on how a problem is understood, framed and communicated by protagonist change makers. Take two central problems of our time: climate change and socioeconomic inequalities. Are these understood and framed as local or global problems by planners? An informed reader might respond by saying, “Of course, these are global problems. After all, ‘thinking globally, acting locally’ is an idea that has been with us since at least the 1970s, when environmental concerns started taking center stage in conversations on the future of the world and humanity!”

While it is true that knowledge of rapid environmental degradation has been around for over half a century, it was largely limited to scientific and activist circles. But more importantly, the effects of a warming climate such as sea-level rise and frequent catastrophic climate events remained simply prognoses for populations and planners in most cities, regions and nations of the world. These effects weren’t viewed as a proximate reality. Now, half a century since the identification of the potentially catastrophic consequences of environmental degradation, many more cities in the world are witnessing severe and frequent climate events that are increasing in intensity (forest fires, droughts, milder winters, hurricanes, flash floods, etc.). Coastal cities and regions in the United States are all busy preparing for climate change, although some are far more concerned and active than others.

Similarly, racism and racial inequality in the U.S. are not new topics of concerned debate. The American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was a defining phase of reckoning with racial inequalities. But racism and inequality have persisted. In the past decade, there were multiple widely reported instances of the killings of unarmed Black people by police officers in different parts of the country. Several of these killings, such as that of Treyvon Martin and Michael Brown, led to protests in many American cities. More recently, the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneap-

olis in 2020 – an act captured in gruesome detail on camera – brought racism, inequality and the Black experience under structural racism to the center of American public debate and politics.

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, serious conversations on race and inequality have been ongoing at MIT and DUSP. This increased focus on racial inequality overlapped with an historical high in economic inequality among individuals in the U.S., as well as in much of the world. As financial capitalism became ascendant globally in the 2000s and 2010s, it looked to alternative investments in addition to bond and equity markets. The housing market became one such alternative investment class for return-hungry financial capitalists. Coupled with low interest rates (which tend to push up asset prices), increased demand for real-estate investment assets and demand from high-income workers, the median sales price of houses in the U.S. doubled between

2011 and 2021, turning the finding of decent housing close to work into a distant dream for most Americans.

The effect of these developments is that inequality –economic, social, racial – has become the center of conversations on planning in the U.S. Looking at event posters in the hallways of DUSP, you will find multiple advertisements for talks on the causes and effects of systemic racial inequality on access to affordable housing, climate change, environmental justice, public health and other topics. I can attest that while concern for equity and justice is not a new phenomenon, the difference between today’s concern and that of 10 years ago is in the language of problem framing (which tends to focus more on the structural nature of the production of inequality) and the frequency of conversations on these topics.

I believe that these changes influence how SPURS-Humphrey Fellows understand and frame the problems they tackle in their own work by showing them that many of the

“Realistic yet idealistic” SPURS/Humphrey fellows visit the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

key challenges they face are also now faced by city planners in the U.S. It is one thing for an urban planning practitioner from a developing country to read that global warming is going to affect the world catastrophically. For the same practitioner – now a Fellow in SPURS – it is a qualitatively different experience to hear from U.S. urban planning and community development practitioners that they, too, now consider climate change one of their biggest challenges. Similarly, the question of inequality, I speculate, was previously perceived by SPURS/Humphrey Fellows as a challenge for their particular geographies only (e.g. the marginalization of tribal populations, refugees, lower caste people, imperialism and neocolonialism, etc.), and not necessarily a common or shared issue among planners in developed and developing countries alike.

At best, inequality entered SPURS discussions as a characteristic in developing countries or a topic between here (the U.S.) and there (developing countries), but never a problem here in the U.S. Only recently has the discussion of inequality begun to be articulated by SPURS/Humphrey Fellows as a common problem for all. Some Fellows reported that this recalibrated understanding of the scope and scale of particular problems provided a sense of unity in shared challenges and common purpose. In short, the identification of shared challenges and the consequent reframing provides the real possibility of cultivating much-needed hopefulness in progressive planning. This, I would argue, is a significant and welcome change.

Realism in Solidarity

Before we get busy celebrating what seems like a potentially solidaristic reframing of global planning problems, we need to ask ourselves if it is naïve to assume that this also means that nations and regions will share similar organizational systems and endowments, and that we can anticipate coordinated action among city planners worldwide. Unfortunately, self-interest dictates much of what goes on the world, and that generally trumps cooperation and coordination. A case in point is that battling Covid required international cooperation among government, civil society, the scientific community and private industry. This, as we know, worked quite well given that a vaccine was developed at record speed and administered to large parts of the world population. At the same time, the rosy picture of cooperation and human triumph is tempered by the fact that countries hurried to safeguard their residents first, with less or no regard for the suffering or well-being of people in other countries. In a blatant me-first approach, rich countries quickly cornered the first supplies of Covid vaccines. In fact, 2.5 billion people, mostly in Africa, remain unvaccinated even today.

So, where does this leave us vis-à-vis the changing understanding of problems as local manifestations of larger shared global challenges? Again, I draw on my observation of SPURS to answer this. SPURS/Humphrey Fellows are acutely aware of the realities and limitations of cooperative action towards solving local and global challenges. No Fellow believes that whatever is being done, or can be done, to solve the climate and inequality challenges in the U.S. can simply be transferred without changes to solve problems back home. When I asked current Fellows how best they think we can understand and act to solve seemingly common urban problems, their collective answer was unsurprisingly practical, yet ambitious. In addition to learning about planning problems through seminar-style discussions, the cohort should focus on a real-world problem throughout the Fellowship year with the objective of producing a plan to tackle its key challenges.

Engaging with a real-world project, which could be local or international, would help bring realism to understanding, framing and solving problems through planning. Additionally, building collaborative and cooperative partnerships and alliances among institutions in the U.S. and those in Fellows’ home countries has also been on the radar for several Fellows. Some have founded or are planning to found national planning associations in collaboration with the American Planning Association (APA), while others are planning collaborations with MIT and other think tanks with the idea of proposing real-world interventions to solve for urban resilience and equity. All these ideas take the challenges-as-shared-problems framework as their point of departure, and propose developing organized partnerships to tackle local problems. One such example is a large-scale resilient housing proposal for a low-income country that uses the best MIT engineering and design practices.

In closing, if the SPURS Fellowship offers even a somewhat representative sample of global planning practitioners, it could be argued that a new, more globalized practitioner has emerged in the past decade. This practitioner is both idealistic and realistic. How best can SPURS foster capability, creativity and confidence in this fledgling community of practice? This is a central question for the SPURS team, but it would be helpful to take the late American philosopher Richard Rorty’s advice that in order to enchant the world, stick to the concrete. ■

SPURS/Humphrey Program Director Bish Sanyal was on sabbatical for the spring 2022 semester. Dr. Faizan Jawed Siddiqi PhD ’20 was appointed acting director during Professor Sanyal’s absence. Dr. Siddiqi previously served as a SPURS/Humphrey doctoral associate and has worked closely with the program for many years.

In Memoriam: Alan Strout

With sadness we share the passing of Alan Mayne Strout, age 96, on May 17, 2023. Alan served as Executive Director of the Special Program for Urban and Regional Studies (SPURS) beginning in 1988. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Washington DC. Alan joined the war effort in 1944, attending Cornell University for Navy Training and Mechanical Engineering, and earned a MA in Economics and PhD in Planning from the University of Chicago. Alan and his wife Caroline lived on Beacon Hill in Boston before an opportunity in international planning with the UN, AID and as Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute brought them to Washington DC in 1962. In 1969 Alan and his family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he taught and consulted with several SE Asian governments and universities until their return to Weston, Massachusetts in 1974. Alan continued to consult and publish in economic journals for the remainder of his long career, and lectured at MIT for many years. He had a rich and meaningful life, touching many friends, students and loving family.

Donations in his memory can be sent to:

Davenport Historical Society 11790 NY-23

Davenport Center, NY 13751.

2022–23 SPURS/HUMPHREY SEMINAR: CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

The SPURS/Humphrey Seminar aimed to introduce Fellows to the history and evolution of both development theory and practice, as well as American urban planning. Beyond general overviews of this nature, specific seminar sessions in the fall semester covered important topics in contemporary development and planning, including MIT D-Lab’s approach to participatory design and inclusive innovation; evaluation in development, specifically at the World Bank; race and racism in American cities; planning in and for small- and medium-sized towns; affordable housing policy in the U.S.; dealing with conflicts in cities; and finding hidden successes in planning.

Victor Vergara showcased recent work from the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, providing frank observations from his own professional experience that

revealed valuable insights into how this work is done and also served as a concrete example of reflective practice from which the Fellows could learn and emulate. In fact, several Fellows stayed back for an hour after the seminar to continue the conversation with Victor, demonstrating just how engaged they were with his work and the issues it raised.

Larry Susskind led two sessions: one to introduce Fellows to the Mutual Gains Approach to negotiation, and another in which Fellows were role-players in a negotiation called the Casino Two game, which explored gender dynamics in the workplace. Many of the Fellows considered these negotiation sessions a highlight of the seminar. In a written reflection, one Fellow notes, “I was surprised with how often I found myself applying the Mutual Gains Approach to negotiation in everyday life situations … I noticed that I was often apply-

Fellows explore Boston’s Chinatown after a visit to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

ing some of its principles to low-stake negotiations with my partner, family and roommates … I found this framework extremely useful for engaging more effectively in negotiations and building value in them, and I am sure it will be a tool I will pick often when I go back to work.”

In the fall semester, the Fellows visited the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) where they learned how Boston’s effective zoning authority operates and deals with the ongoing challenge of sea-level rise due to climate change. The Fellows also visited the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, an agency that undertakes planning for over 100 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts, including the city of Boston.

In the spring semester, the seminar was organized in three modules, each comprising three seminars on themes related to the module’s topic followed by a reflection session. The modules focused on North American planning, international development and planning, and technological advancements and city planning. The idea behind this modular approach was to bring thematic focus to several weeks of learning.

The North American planning module covered urban climate adaption, transportation decarbonization, landuse regulation practices and Boston’s development. The international development module included lectures on industrial policy and national development, international partnerships and project evaluations, and new approaches in poverty measurement. During this module, SPURS, along with DUSP’s International Development Group, jointly organized a talk by Dr. Michael Woolcock, lead social scientist in the World Bank’s Development Research Group. Woolcock discussed ideas from his new book on international development. The third module included lectures on the pros and cons of digital technologies in planning and community development, technology and the concept of smart cities, and the role of technology in disaster-management planning. Each session included a 35- to 45-minute presentation by the guest speaker, followed by discussion.

The reflection sessions for each module were facilitated by Faizan Siddiqi, DUSP acting director. To help think through the key takeaways of the ideas and case studies introduced in the module, each Fellow was asked to write a one- or two-page reaction memo laying out what spoke to them and why, and drawing on their practical experience. During the reflection sessions, Fellows summarized their reaction memos, which identified commonalities in the problems facing North American cities and the contexts where Fellows work; offered analyses of particular ideas and methods that had been introduced in the module, as well as Fellows’ plans for putting these into practice; and critical analyses of the topics. The written memo-based reflection exercise was particularly useful in ensuring that everyone participated in the discussions. ■

NEW YORK CITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRIP

SPURS Fellows Take a Bite of the Big Apple

From March 15-17, Fellows took part in a long-standing component of the SPURS/Humphrey Program: a professional development trip to New York City. The intent behind the trip is to grasp critical urban and development challenges facing this and other cities in the world; learn directly from leading organizations and individuals (many of whom are DUSP alumni) working to address such challenges; and understand how these organizations are governed and function. The group met with six organizations in the public, semi-public, private and nonprofit sectors, exposing them to the diverse ways in which organizations conceptualize, frame and address urban issues.

The trip began with a Wednesday morning train ride into Penn Station. Fellows then traveled to the financial district for the first meeting. Michael Marrella MCP ‘03, chief of climate and sustainability planning at the Department of City Planning (DCP), provided an overview of the city’s evolution and the department’s purview before sharing recent examples of how the city is striving to ensure its climate resilience, such as zoning that supports efficient building retrofitting and flood risk-management measures. After visiting DCP, the group spent the late afternoon walking through the High Line, an elevated former freight rail line transformed into a public park, and Little Island, a public park on the Hudson River, both of which are widely celebrated examples of contemporary urban landscape architecture in Manhattan.

Thursday morning began with a meeting at Cushman & Wakefield, a large real estate firm, where the group was treated to a bagel-and-lox breakfast, quintessential NYC fare! Fellows learned about the intricacies of the NYC real estate market during presentations by top brass from the firm’s residential, office, capital markets and research units, as well as some candid observations from one of the firm’s top brokers. The discussion included spirited debate about the continued impacts of the pandemic on urban life, such as the shift away from office space in building use and its implications for how the city and its residents work.

After a brisk 30-block walk across Midtown to the East River, Fellows took a short ferry ride from Manhattan to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY), a 300-acre waterfront industrial/ innovation park that is home to more than 450 businesses and 11,000 employees. After a pizza lunch from a local food purveyor, Fellows were led on a tour of the BNY grounds by Adam

Friedman of Turnstile Tours. This was followed by a wide-ranging and informative Q&A with members of the BNY executive leadership team (two of whom are DUSP alumni) at the BNY Development Corporation. The corporation serves as the real estate developer and property manager for BNY on behalf of BNY’s owner, the City of New York. Fellows were joined for dinner in the Fort Greene neighborhood that evening by Juan Camilo Osorio who, in addition to being a PhD candidate at DUSP, is an assistant professor at the Pratt Institute and a commissioner on the NYC City Planning Commission.

Three meetings rounded out Friday, the last day of the trip. First

on the docket was the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which included a panel of five DUSP alumni sharing a rapid-fire overview of several sustainability oriented projects in EDC’s portfolio related to offshore wind, freight transportation, greentech innovation and flood-conscious urban planning.

Next, Fellows met with Aimee Gauthier, chief knowledge officer for the nongovernmental organization Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. That roundtable discussion included the organization’s history and expansion, its approach to transportation and governance and current projects worldwide, as well as

organizational matters such as how to craft effective communication strategies that integrate data and storytelling, and finding sustainable funding to support growth. After lunch at a Szechuan Chinese restaurant, the group made its way to a meeting with Amanda Ikert, an SmarchS,MCP alumna who is head of climate resilience at the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a global network of mayors committed to aggressive action for confronting the climate crisis. The weather cooperated, with sunny skies and mild temperatures, so the meeting was moved from the office to Central Park, a memorable and fitting way to end the trip to the Big Apple. ■

Fellows in Central Park with Amanda Ikert from C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

UPDATE ON SPURS AND THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION

The partnership between SPURS and the APA International Division (APA-ID) that launched in the spring of 2021 and expanded during the 2021-22 academic year, again grew fruitfully during this past year. The partnership has dual goals of creating new opportunities for SPURS/Humphrey Fellows to learn from, and work with, planners in the U.S., and for Fellows to share their expertise and perspectives with their U.S. counterparts.

On World Town Planning Day, Nov. 8, 2022, five Fellows presented work from their home countries in the annual virtual forum sponsored by the APA-ID. Dianne Wakonyo of Kenya, Hannah Arcuschin Machado of Brazil, Jhapper Singh Vishokarma of Nepal, and Hussain Ziyath of the Maldives gave a presentation titled “The Role of Planning in SDG Implementation,” which drew on their experiences across transportation, inclusive design, sustainable planning, and resilient building to discuss topics such as expanding bike

infrastructure in Sao Pãolo and urban farming in the Maldives. Imran Ali Sultan of Pakistan, who has led local governments and municipal services companies, spoke on “Global Thoughts Influencing Private Cities in Pakistan.” Sultan has a professional affiliation with the APA’s applied research program, APA Foresight

Also notable is the work of Mai Nguyen, a 2021-22 Fellow from Vietnam, who contributed an article titled “Leveraging ESG in Real Estate to Promote Sustainable Urban Planning ” to the Fall/Winter 2022 issue of the International Division’s journal Interplan. While at SPURS, Mai had been matched with mentor Timothy Van Epp, an American planner with extensive experience in Southeast Asia, through the SPURS/ APA-ID initiative to support Fellows professional development and build their international networks. In July 2022, the two jointly led an online forum with APA-ID, SPURS, the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, and

Fellows and alumni with American Planning Association International Division Chair Jing Zhang, AICP, at the April 2023 National Planning Conference in Philadelphia.

the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City for planners and educators from each organization to discuss potential collaborations focused on education, research exchange and project partnerships.

2023 started off with an APA-ID welcome meeting held over Zoom in January, led by the newly appointed chair, Jing Zhang. Following an overview of APA’s structure and the groups within it that have an international focus, APAID members learned about Fellows’ backgrounds and their common interest in initiating national professional planning associations in their home countries, for which a working group could be formed. APA-ID also continued its practice of providing mentorship opportunities to Fellows, designating Krishna Shrivastava, founder and chief planner of LIKA-

plan, as the SPURS/APA-ID liaison for coordinating Fellows’ involvement and creating mentorship links.

As the academic year began to close, the SPURS/APA-ID group finally met in person at the 2023 National Planning Conference in Philadelphia, which was attended by Fellows Davit Asanidze, Ismail Chaib, Karma Choden Tshering, Imran Ali Sultan, Lin Yuan and Hussain Ziyath. Nguyen traveled from Vietnam to speak about her collaboration with APA-ID on a panel titled “Building International Bridges: Learning from Abroad.” Sultan provided his perspective from Pakistan on the panel, “Social Housing: Lessons for the U.S. from Abroad,” and in his talk titled “What a Waste,” in which he shared his experience in handling waste crises and lessons on leadership. ■

REFLECTIONS FROM SPURS’ FACULTY ADVISOR FOR PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Jeff Levine, AICP Lecturer, DUSP & SPURS Advisor for Professional Affiliations

which I feel quite comfortable. Having worked and lived in New England my entire career, I knew the organizations that could complete the Fellows’ Professional Affiliations. I also knew the types of work Fellows could do to add value to the organizations. I even knew some of the people with whom they could work. I quickly learned that mine would be a symbiotic relationship with the SPURS Fellows. I could show them how things work here in Massachusetts, and in turn, they could teach me how things work in countries all over the world.

I was initially a little intimidated when I was asked to join the SPURS team to work with the Fellows as they spent a year in Cambridge. As someone who has spent most of his career as a municipal planner in the U.S., I found working with SPURS Fellows from all over the world to be quite a change. While I knew a lot about the specifics of zoning laws in Massachusetts and housing policies in Maine, I knew nothing about providing water supply in Mali, or financing sustainable development in Uruguay, to say nothing about planning for sustainable university campuses in Panama. The Fellows: so many interesting professionals with broad backgrounds in their home countries!

After a while, I realized that there was one thing none of them knew much about: the political and planning context in Boston and New England. Fortunately, that’s an area in

In many ways, that’s the intent of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program that funds many of the SPURS Fellows. Through learning about professionals in similar fields around the world, we realize how much we have in common. It’s a visionary idea, and one that I’ve been fortunate to play a role in this past year. I look forward to continuing that role in the future.

There’s one more thing I have in common with the Humphrey Fellows. The Humphrey Fellowship program has a long, close connection with the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. That’s where I studied planning at the start of my career, with generous funding from a Humphrey Scholarship. Truly a global connection! ■

Jeff Levine, AICP, is a lecturer of economic development and planning in DUSP, an experienced local and regional planner, and author of “Leadership in Planning: How to Communicate Ideas and Effect Positive Change” (Routledge, 2021). In 2022 he joined the SPURS/Humphrey team as faculty advisor for professional affiliations.

REFLECTIONS FROM 2022–2023 FELLOWS

TACKLING PRESSING ISSUES IN LATIN AMERICA

A Series of Dialogues

MIT is a vibrant hub where diverse ideas from around the world intersect, inspiring those who pass through. As a result, it provides an ideal environment for discussing ongoing urbanism initiatives and research. With this in mind, we organized a series of talks at DUSP through SPURS, in collaboration with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (LILP) and MIT Brazil, a program based in the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI).

This initiative featured four guests throughout 202223, strengthening bonds between SPURS and the Lincoln Institute. The recent appointment of Anaclaudia Rossbach as director of Latin America and the Caribbean at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has reenergized opportunities for institutional cooperation to stimulate transformations in the region.

The first lecture, by Professor Nabil Bonduki, focused on “Urban Planning in Brazil: The Case of Sao Paulo and a Perspective for the Future.” The timing was perfect, as it took place right after the Brazilian presidential election won by President Lula da Silva. In addition to discussing the award-winning master plan of Sao Paulo, we debated the future of Brazilian cities considering the political transition.

In November, Professor Renato Cymbalista presented the initiatives of FICA, a community rental real estate fund that acquires, refurbishes and rents apartments to low-income families at accessible rates and promotes public policies on social rents. Under the title “Reimagining Private Property in Brazil: Actions Towards Social Landlordship and Housing

Policies,” we discussed proposals to address gentrification, segregation and evictions in Brazilian cities.

Professor Maria Mercedes Di Virgilio presented in March on “Housing in Latin America: Challenges and Solutions for Informal Settlements in Buenos Aires, Argentina,” specifically citing Barrio 31. This case represents relevant progress in housing initiatives in the region, despite the need for improvements.

Closing the series, researcher Marcela Alonso Ferreira led a debate on “Informal Land Tenure and Regularization in Latin America: The Cases of Sao Paulo and Mexico City.” The presentation focused on changes in the governance of informal land tenure in these cities, drawing on historical comparative analysis.

To cap off this series of dialogues, we hosted a reception at the Lincoln Institute, bringing together SPURS Fellows, Loeb Fellows at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and other affiliated members of MIT and Harvard. Our goal was to reflect on strategic trends to tackle pressing issues such as poverty, inequality and climate change. We also aim to enhance collaboration between professionals and researchers to drive structural transformation. As with the lecture series, the reception maximized the presence of experienced individuals in Cambridge to forge partnerships that can drive change.

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this series of dialogues. I hope these conversations have inspired action, both in research and in the formulation and implementation of public policies. I also hope that the bond between SPURS and the Lincoln Institute continues to strengthen, with the ultimate goal of improving living conditions in the Global South.

EL CAMINO

Arzuaga Ramirez Colombia

After receiving a letter from the Fulbright Commission of Colombia a year ago, I packed my suitcase. The United States awaited me. My selection as a Humphrey Scholar, a very prestigious program, made me extremely happy. After

Hannah Arcuschin Machado Brazil

Jesualdo

a long and competitive process, what started as a dream became a reality.

My dream was complete when I learned I would study at MIT. I could not believe it. Countless images, memories and people accompanying me on this path passed through my mind. I felt without a doubt that it was an award for my hard work and yearslong efforts of trying to make Colombia a better country. However, I also felt a bit afraid because I understood this commitment meant representing my family, the organization I lead and Colombia in the best way.

When I arrived in Boston, I found a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a lot of history and academic offerings unrivaled anywhere else. People welcomed me with open arms and made this journey an unforgettable experience.

When classes began, to my great surprise, I found that my profile and professional experience were consistent with the SPURS program that delves into the universe of city and territorial planning but does not leave the human being aside. Now I don’t think of the planning process without the essential understanding that human cities must be thought of in terms of access to services; and access to rights.

At SPURS, all backgrounds are welcome and contribute to a truly comprehensive program. We have learned that public policies must be built through participatory planning, respecting the points of view of all community members.

My contribution has been to show that human rights are a meeting point for everyone. When we talk about the right to recreation and we want governments to build more free spaces, we are talking about human rights. When discussing measures that enable security with a differential approach, healthy coexistence and the peaceful solution of conflicts, we are also talking about human rights. When talking about school, language and culture, we are talking about human rights. When we talk about discrimination, gentrification, abuse of power, gender, social gaps, migration and injustices, we are talking about human rights.

I will take back to my country a suitcase full of memories and experiences that will surely make me a better human being, I will bring with me the good intentions of those who contributed to our growth; the advice, smiles and knowledge I received; and above all, I take moments with me. I take in my heart Michael Dean, Roberto Laver, MIT Spouses & Partners Connect, my classmates and professors from Montana, and everyone in SPURS.

I thank my wife, María Juliana, for the crying of my daughter Lourdes because, as Gabriel Garcia Márquez said, “The oldest cry in the history of humanity is the cry of love.”

CITIES FOR EVERYONE: WELL-BALANCED CITY DEVELOPMENT

Davit Asanidze Georgia

A common trope is the idea that architects and urban designers create the world in which we live. The more I have practiced, the more I realize it is the developers who are making real estate decisions and creating the real impact. In the entire design process of a project, it is often those decisions made first that have the largest impact on the built environment.

— James Petty, “Architect & Developer: A Guide to Self-Initiating Projects” (PostscriptPublishing 2018)

City developed areas are rapidly expanding, and new mixed-use developments are being constructed in each neighborhood. With rapid development, most cities are facing challenges of ensuring high-quality living environments, green space, infrastructure and good quality of life. Additional challenges include traffic and density. How to promote a well-balanced and mixed-use approach to development is the main question for today. Development varies city by city, but what are the universal standards and guidelines for equitable development to promote public welfare and real estate value?

My work is all about engagement with the public and interaction with ordinary members of society on a regular basis. As my primary work activity, I devote my time and efforts to increasing public participation in planning, and implementing large urban and real estate projects to promote the public good in urban development.

At MIT and Harvard, I had an opportunity to learn and familiarize myself with best practices across the U.S. on existing policies and regulations concerning city and real estate development, specifically how the complex forces of politics, urban planning and the real estate market have collectively shaped Boston’s skyline and city structure. This will assist me in identifying successful strategies and failure traps in the permitting and approval processes. Furthermore, now I have a clearer understanding of how these lessons can be generalized and applied to the context of European countries.

I will take back to my country a suitcase full of memories and experiences that will surely make me a better human being

I curated my experience in the SPURS/Humphrey Program based on the premise that the Fellowship should be comprised of both advancing theoretical knowledge and gaining practical experience. This complements my professional affiliation at SASAKI, a design firm whose main values are: 1) Provoke new ideas and approaches through active, inclusive dialogue; and 2) Promote a diversity of ideas, perspectives and people.

The SPURS/Humphrey Program is a very rare and unique opportunity to pursue my goals. Alumni are highly valued and appreciated after returning to their home countries, a thought that was in the back of my mind even when I was applying to the program.

A JOURNEY TOUCHING BOTH HISTORY AND THE FUTURE

Yong Guo China

My visit to MIT was a reflective journey that touched both history and the future. In this journey, I got the chance to know the world, the U.S., the profession of landscape architecture, as well as myself in a better way. I am an assistant professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture in the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University whose research focuses on landscape architectural technologies and sciences, and specifically on landscape information modeling.

At MIT, I explored projects going back to the dawn of the profession of landscape architecture, and engaged in the ongoing development of cutting-edge technologies that confront global issues such as sustainability and climate change. I also experienced the humanistic reflection behind the technologies in the DUSP community. What’s

more, as a SPURS/Humphrey Fellow, I harvested friendships and became a member of a wonderful international group.

During my semester in the U.S., I investigated on-site more than 100 landscape architectural projects. Such projects included the Emerald Necklace in Boston and Central Park in New York, which shaped the profession of landscape architecture. My footprints were all over the West Coast, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington D.C. and Hawaii. I also enhanced my professional networks by joining the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Hub, hosting the online Landscape Architecture Construction International Conference and initiating joint research projects on Digital Twin Trees on cultural heritage sites for both culture preservation and urban landscape biodiversity. It was a very productive and fruitful visit.

MIT: TO GET THE MOST OUT OF IT, BELIEVE AND PERSEVERE

Namory dit Boubacar Keita Mali

I have always believed that there is no better support for a professional career than training. For a long time, I was looking for an opportunity to learn English to diversify my skills. Failures have not discouraged me. On the contrary, they motivate me and make me realize every day that I need to learn.

The opportunity offered by the Humphrey Fellowship was great, coming at a time when my general manager had just left and I did not fit into the plans of the new manager. When the good news from the U.S. Embassy arrived, I couldn’t believe it and I thanked God.

My program started with a four-month intensive English course in Missoula, Montana, before joining MIT. Montana

was a great stepping stone that helped me to get used to the climate, transportation, shopping and other aspects of a country that was totally new to me.

I learned a lot from what I saw, heard, experienced and felt in the MIT environment and the Boston area. It would be difficult to tell everything here, but these experiences have marked and enriched me and will undoubtedly impact my professional and personal future after I return to Mali.

The hydrology course I took in the fall term was my first experience in the university space since I obtained a master’s degree 15 years ago. As a hydraulic engineer, I wanted to strengthen my skills in groundwater and hoped this course would be the entry point. As it was an undergraduate class, it was very theoretical for someone who has been in the practice of projects for over two decades. I struggled to follow such a theoretical course with empirical formulas that I had put away long ago.

On the other hand, the water sanitation and hygiene course I took with D-Lab in the spring term was a nice surprise. I appreciated and shared my professional experience with the two supervisors along with students from MIT and Harvard University. The practical case study — where each student took a sample of raw water (anything except tap water) and performed chemical analyses for the presence of coliforms or other germs, then brought the results to class and explained them — was particularly memorable. I took a sample of water from the Charles River that I analyzed and then presented, an experience that has been useful and will help shape this new beginning in my career.

My experiences in this program cannot be counted. The diversity of the 14 Fellows from 13 countries, other students I met in my classes, and the highly efficient educational system that mixes theoretical courses, practical cases, presentations and field trips, have deeply strengthened me.

My Professional Affiliation was, for me, the icing on the cake of this program. I had the opportunity to partner with MIT D-Lab to work on a project that’s been a challenge in the company where I work, dealing with the management of boreholes for drinking water supply. I also took advantage of training available through American professional associations that I joined, the American Water Works Association and National Groundwater Association. My experience with American professionals was a godsend; I benefited from training and technical materials that will serve me for many years to come. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a Humphrey/SPURS Fellow. It has given me insights about pursuing work differently and I will be going back to my country with lots of good memories.

My greatest pride in this program is to have believed and persevered, my greatest satisfaction is the multiform lessons learned, and the biggest challenge is to transmit and motivate other compatriots to try their luck.

MAKING MY PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION PART OF MY LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Marietta Le Hungary

In many cities around the world, we can see a newfound interest in citizen engagement and community building. This new trend brought me to work in the municipal government of Budapest prior to joining SPURS. The past months spent at MIT allowed me to reflect on my work in my community, and I kept comparing my previous experiences with what I have seen around me in the Boston area. My Professional Affiliation host, the City of Somerville, provided one setting where I did this comparison. I could share stories about the interesting performative element of council meetings, the City Hall’s extremely overheated offices, my coworker’s old vizsla dog (a Hungarian breed), or how it feels seeing my name printed on public materials in Somerville. But the main takeaway for me was one sentence from a document I read about participatory budgeting (PB) during my Professional Affiliation, and I feel I will keep it in front of me in my work in the years to come.

Since Somerville began participatory budgeting, city staff have been working to launch the city’s first PB cycle in March 2023 to allocate $1 million. PB is a local engagement methodology that allows people to submit and vote on ideas for the city to implement from a certain amount of the city’s budget. When I joined the city’s implementation team, they were in the process of developing the guidelines for the first cycle by working with local volunteers who deliberate and decide on

the details of the PB process. Both neighboring Boston and Cambridge have already implemented PB.

During my Professional Affiliation, I often reflected on what was different from my experience in Budapest launching the municipal government’s first PB cycle. In Somerville, sometimes it felt like I had a chance to take a second stab at doing the same thing: the excitement of the weeks before the launch; looking at social media materials, mailers, booklets, posters, and a lot of preparatory work; reading up on who did what in other cities; reading research papers; and evening Zoom calls with local volunteers.

And a lot of it was sharing my personal experience, which I felt was very much appreciated by the local team. To have someone on board who had done this before was immensely helpful for them, and for me it was the perfect way to learn about the practicalities of governance and engagement, and the life of public servants in a small municipal administration in Massachusetts.

“While the goal is to engage all community members in the PB process, outreach and mobilization efforts should focus on community members that are least likely to participate on their own,” states the Somerville Participatory Budgeting Project, 2021.

One day while I was reading through the materials my supervisor shared with me, I stumbled upon the sentence above. It hit me because I somehow lost this important notion in my everyday work in Hungary. Everyday work grinds you down, your team, your initiative, and eventually, even the most good-willed people will become monsters of implementation due to resource constraints, internal politics or just public servant life.

In Somerville, all important materials were translated into seven languages, and there were people in City Hall whose job was to engage with community members who speak these languages and can work as interpreters at community events. The focus on the allocation of municipal resources to keep everyone in the loop made a great impression on me. I cannot for a fact say I know these communities feel fully informed about what is going on in Somerville, but I feel that such a technical effort to ensure that most messaging is available in languages other than English is an essential first step to including those who may be otherwise excluded.

That there are ways to check who we have reached with participatory budgeting based on the U.S. Census also made me reflect on reporting and evaluation practices. Knowing that there are groups who still participate at a lower level allows local governments to reflect on methodologies and outreach strategies to improve engagement. I am grateful that my Professional Affiliation prompted me to reflect in so many ways and that I was able to dip my toes into public service in the U.S.

MY DREAM JOURNEY: PROFESSIONAL

AND

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The opportunity to be a SPURS/Humphrey Fellow at MIT represented a dream come true for my personal and professional development. In 2020, while working as a researcher and secretary of goals at the Technological University of Panama (UTP), I began a project to establish a sustainable campus environment through the implementation of green initiatives and changes in organizational culture. These initiatives include a range of activities, from waste management to green building construction. The project also focuses on educating the UTP community on the importance of sustainability and how they can contribute to it. Through implementing these initiatives, UTP will become a model of a sustainable campus and serve as a reference for other universities, businesses and organizations looking to adopt similar sustainable practices.

This goal led me to integrate my academic work as an engineer with my research group, Energy and Comfort in Bioclimatic Buildings, focusing on how to integrate the university’s sustainability initiatives into its management and strategic planning.

I believe higher education institutions (HEIs) should serve as examples of how sustainability policy can be enacted at the institutional level, including in government ministries and the private sector. Moreover, because HEIs can work to achieve not only one of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) but all 17 of them, HEIs can serve as a model for the development of comprehensive sustainability policy.

Two aspects are essential for integrating environmental sustainability in an institutional and centralized manner. First: one must know the institution’s substantive functions of research, academia and operational management. And

Dafni Mora Panama

second: one must have the knowledge to support the frame of reference with a scientific basis.

In 2021, we carried out the first sustainability diagnosis at UTP at an integral level, identifying how the university helps to achieve the SDGs. UTP’s sustainability diagnosis allowed us to identify the main challenges, strengths and opportunities for improvement. We determined that UTP has a good infrastructure and teaching environment, but it needs an effective institutional sustainability system, an education in sustainability, and an environmental management system. We identified an opportunity for UTP to become a leader in sustainability in Latin America by incorporating the SDGs into its strategy.

What other steps must we follow to apply UTP’s institutional motto — Road to excellence through continuous improvement — to these efforts? In 2022, with this project in mind, I applied for the Humphrey Fulbright Fellowship Program with the goal of understanding in detail how one of the best universities in the world, MIT, approaches sustainability.

My journey as a Fellow began in DUSP, where I recognized that we are all urban planners at some point in our careers or lives. This incredible journey combined personal and professional growth with a greater understanding of the importance of sustainable development. I had the opportunity to make friends, learn more about the world and build bridges between countries. As a reference institution in sustainability, MIT helped to develop my career in sustainability, and inspired me as a mechanical engineer through its technology, innovation and efforts to improve the world through science and research.

The Fellowship experience also allowed me to enhance my leadership skills, to verify the importance of networking, to share experiences with the wonderful Fellows on this journey with me, and to learn that while our countries share many problems, we also share a desire to generate the change that will lead to a sustainable world.

The challenge is creating a culture of continuous improvement, one that is based on feedback, learning and adaptation. This includes encouraging staff, faculty and students to provide feedback on current processes, discuss opportunities for improvement and strive for excellence. This is one of the most important challenges facing me as I return to Panama.

EXPLORING A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

Embarking on SPURS was an adventure that exceeded all my expectations. The program provided me with the invaluable opportunity to delve deeply into different disciplines that I’m passionate about. From sustainable finance to infrastructure development, leadership to negotiation, and frontier technologies such as AI and Web3, I acquired a comprehensive set of tools and knowledge that have empowered me to tackle complex challenges with confidence and creativity.

But what made my experience truly remarkable was the supportive and welcoming community at MIT and DUSP. Whether they were professors, students or staff, everyone was approachable, friendly and eager to help. I feel extremely fortunate to have formed strong friendships with a remarkable cohort of fellows, who brought a wealth of experience in tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges. This environment provided the perfect backdrop for my personal and professional growth.

Every day at SPURS was an exhilarating journey of learning. Between attending classes, workshops, talks and meetings, I felt like I was on a fast track to personal and professional growth. Yet, no matter how much knowledge I absorbed, I always sensed there was more to discover. I spent countless hours in libraries, meeting fascinating people, rushing between classes at MIT and Harvard, and attending every conference or workshop that I could fit into my schedule. Even so, I always felt like there were too many incredible opportunities to learn, absorb and experience, and not enough time to take full advantage of all of them. Nonetheless, the intellectually stimulating atmosphere in Cambridge, although overwhelming, is precisely what makes it such an extraordinary place.

Felipe Suarez Giri Uruguay

...while our countries share many problems, we also share a desire to generate the change that will lead to a sustainable world.

While Cambridge’s intellectual life was the highlight of the program, my experiences outside of the classroom were just as unforgettable. The program offered various opportunities to explore the U.S., from trekking in Maine to driving through New Hampshire and exploring Washington D.C. and New York City. These trips were a wonderful opportunity to get to know the country, its people and its culture better, and to have loads of fun with the Fellows. Moreover, MIT’s worldclass athletic facilities were a wonderful perk since they offer the possibility to practice almost any sport imaginable. I really enjoyed learning to sail on the Charles River, taking in the breathtaking views of Boston from the water.

As my journey at SPURS comes to a close, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to translate all the knowledge and skills I gained into a tangible impact. I have a new group of inspiring friends and a professional network that extends beyond borders. The program gave me a privileged opportunity to take a year off from work, refine my skills and reflect on my practice, leaving me well-prepared to make a positive difference in the world.

MY STORY IN THREE PAIRS OF SHOES

Imran Ali Sultan Pakistan

Many of us live our lives in two dimensions, I dreamed of, and lived in, three. I was a pilot. Flying was my first love that I cherished. I was very fortunate to serve in Pakistan’s Air Force for more than a decade. But even the best things can shatter in the tiniest moment: a nail hit my left eye and I lay on a hospital bed shocked and shattered. After a year and multiple surgeries, I was on my feet again, looking for new shoes, because my flying boots were grounded.

It did not take long before I found myself in a business suit with a pair of loafers. It was more challenging to walk in two dimensions than to fly in three dimensions. In the political realm, “yes” meant “no” and “no” meant “never,” or more

precisely “How dare you!” The flying shoes had butterflies, but the bureaucratic loafers pinched.

After a decade in the loafers, my feet were swollen. To discover new dimensions for my “mens et manus,” I walked into MIT in a pair of sneakers. Donning the SPURS jersey, I felt like my feet were in the air again. The sneakers’ flexibility helped me to adapt to the academic rigor at DUSP and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and to the professional excellence at the American Planning Association. On a trek of entrepreneurship, my sneakers ran for MIT DesignX and Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab). The anvil of my professors, my mentors and my friends helped me to cobble my sole (and soul) using a thread of love.

During the most amazing and unforgettable lap of this past year, I have strolled from California to the New York islands in my Humphrey sneakers and SPURS jersey. Even though I am boarding my next flight of urban resilience and sustainable cities, it is hard to drag my feet out of this land because now this land is your land and this land is my land, too.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF AN MIT FELLOWSHIP

MY JOURNEY FROM URBAN PLANNING NOVICE TO PASSIONATE ADVOCATE

Stepping onto the MIT campus for the first time was a surreal experience I will never forget. The energy in the air was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and anticipation. As a recipient of the prestigious Humphrey Fellowship, I knew that I was about to embark on a journey that would change my life forever.

Before embarking on this Fellowship, I had only a vague idea of what urban planning was all about. I generally un-

Karma Choden Tshering Bhutan

derstood that urban planners were responsible for designing and shaping cities, but didn’t know the nuances of this field. As an outsider looking in, I was curious about the challenges facing urban planners and the strategies they employed to tackle these issues. However, I lacked the expertise and experience necessary to fully comprehend the scope of urban planning and its impact on society.

SPURS provided me with a platform to delve deeper into this field and to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of urban planners in shaping our urban environments. From the keynote speeches at conferences to workshops and classes, there was a clear emphasis on urban planning policy concepts and their practical applications, allowing me to learn how urban planning impacts our daily lives. By exploring case studies and engaging in group discussions, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of urban planning and how various policies and strategies can shape our cities and communities, and a more comprehensive perspective on urban planning’s role in creating sustainable and equitable environments.

Reflecting on urban planning practices in the context of Bhutan helped me to explore the deep connections between urban planning and my work at Bhutan’s Department of Land Administration and Management. Since land is a fundamental resource that underpins urban development, I can clearly connect how effective land administration and management is a critical component of successful urban development, and how these fields can work together to create more livable and sustainable cities. I identified areas for improvement in my own work and learned to develop new strategies for integrating land administration and management into the broader framework of urban planning, broadening my perspective and applying a more comprehensive approach to my work.

The challenges of urban sustainability — climate change, energy resources, environmental sustainability and affordable housing — go beyond national borders. Every class and conference reiterated that these problems affect us all and cannot be solved in isolation. Creating healthy, livable and resilient communities requires the cooperation and collaboration of all countries.

This year I participated in some stakeholder meetings conducted by the Boston Planning and Development Authority to learn how collaborative urban planning works to ensure that urban development projects are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, and how they promote equity, inclusion and resilience. Involving a diverse range of stakeholders helps planners identify opportunities and challenges, address potential conflicts and develop solutions that meet the needs of all community members. Collaborative urban planning can also help to build trust and accountability, increase transparency and enhance the legitimacy of the planning process and its outcomes.

Walking and biking through different neighborhoods of Boston, I observed zoning regulations, transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, public spaces and land-use patterns. I now appreciate the importance of walkability and bikeability in creating livable communities and influencing urban development patterns, aspects I regard as missing in my country. Observing the city’s architecture, landmarks and public spaces also gave me a better understanding of the historical and cultural influences on urban planning decisions.

Institutional linkages between public agencies and universities in Boston showed how collaboration between these entities can bring together academic expertise and practical experience to develop innovative and effective urban planning solutions. Unfortunately, Bhutan is currently lacking in this area, but this is something we can replicate, and I aspire to advocate for this kind of collaboration.

SPURS challenged my preconceptions and broadened my horizons, and perhaps most importantly, this program instilled in me a sense of passion and purpose: the importance of creating sustainable and equitable urban environments that promote the well-being of all citizens. I will always be inspired by the dedication and expertise of my fellow participants, and the faculty at MIT who lead the way in urban planning research and development. Words cannot do justice to the immense gratitude I feel for this incredible opportunity at MIT. Thank you is an understatement.

REFLECTIONS ON MY HUMPHREY YEAR AT MIT

PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

After more than 25 years’ experience in civil engineering, including land development, schools, housing, building construction, urban development and other infrastructure-related projects in Nepal, my Humphrey year at MIT has been a path-changing experience. In addition to the regular semi-

Jhapper Singh Vishokarma

nars, the range of other events offered during the year, such as talks, site visits, retreats and fun, contributed to the overall objective of adding value to every Fellow in their respective field.

The freedom of choice that Fellows have to select any course at MIT helped me to focus on my own career and related interests. Beyond the coursework, the field visits, office hours, conferences, seminars and retreats all provided exposure, connections and networking opportunities to people of diverse, multiple disciplines. SPURS Fellows from 14 countries with different academic backgrounds, experiences, cultures and values taught me the real essence of diversity, inclusion, equity and global perspective. The Global Leadership Forum and Humphrey workshops, in particular, enhanced my leadership qualities and networking.

MIT’s learning environment with sophisticated and modern infrastructure facilities, all in proximity to the beautiful landscape and the Charles River scenery, was very exciting. Renowned and supportive professors, staff, colleagues and the whole MIT community were always dedicated and caring, and guided us to achieve our learning objectives while maintaining MIT’s values of excellence and ethics. This kindhearted support and motivation made me constantly further my objectives and work harder to achieve them.

The role of urban planning in crisis management, national integrity and peace, economic development, housing affordability, inclusionary zoning, community involvement in the process, and new development approaches toward achieving U.N. SDGs and carbon-neutrality goals were all integrated at SPURS very precisely. These topics were enriched with active participation by Fellows in a democratic manner. I learned about new development concepts, like sustainable structural design, carbon-neutral materials and design, multihazard-resilient infrastructure design (especially earthquake and climate-resilient technologies), design and implementation mechanisms, leadership enhancement, project management and innovative project delivery methods in both public and private sectors.

It was surprising and remarkable that in this, one of the most capitalistic countries, the government plays the supportive role of a guardian to its citizens much as parents to their kids. During the SPURS New York City trip, I was struck by the exemplary supportive role played by the New York City government in promoting entrepreneurship and new businesses in the Brooklyn Navy Yard by providing training and other necessary support.

My Humphrey Fellowship was a great opportunity to reflect on what and how I have done in the past 25 years of my career in comparison with what I learned at MIT in a single year. The vision, concepts, approaches, theories, methods and world-class practices I learned from experts and people of diverse cultures and backgrounds helped me understand the pathway to future success. More importantly, I will never

forget the love, warmth, support, cooperation, guidance and networking I received from everyone at MIT.

ONE HUNDRED DAYS

Lin Yuan China

I have spent three months as a SPURS Fellow, and although it was a relatively short period of time, it was a deeply insightful and meaningful experience. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to touch different fields and develop my interests, and I list some of the main takeaways below.

Understanding American urban planning: Through lectures and seminars, I gained a deeper understanding of the history and contemporary practice of planning in the United States. One particular highlight was learning about Boston’s “Climate Ready” initiative, which emphasizes the importance of combining planning with the challenges posed by climate change. It was a powerful reminder of how much planning can do to address the challenges facing our cities.

Experiencing New York City: One of the most memorable experiences during my Fellowship was visiting New York City. It was a group activity and my first experience with New York City planning. In particular, I was struck by the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which has been transformed from a closed naval shipyard to a thriving, innovative manufacturing and tech hub. I also had the chance to visit the New York City Planning Department, which gave me a better understanding of the complex interplay between government and the private sector.

Attending the American Planning Association’s national conference: The APA’s annual conference in Philadelphia was an excellent opportunity to connect with planning professionals from across the U.S. and learn about the latest research and best practices in the field. I also had the chance to visit the University of Pennsylvania and attend a reception organized by APA’s International Division, where I met several professors whose work I have long admired.

Exploring ecological restoration projects: Ecological planning and design is the field I am particularly interested in, and I participated in a course at the Harvard Graduate School of Design on ecosystem restoration. This class helped me gain a deeper understanding of ecosystem restoration principles and provided firsthand experience with ecological restoration projects in the Boston area’s coasts, wetlands and rivers, which I believe will be invaluable in my future work.

Presenting my research at MIT: I gave a presentation on my previous research and projects titled, “Coexistence with Nature: From Ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation Region to Future Park City in Chengdu, China,” which I believe was a good way to communicate with others about my work. I am particularly grateful to Faizan, Selmah, Jonars and Patti for their support in arranging this presentation.

Overall, my SPURS Fellowship has been an incredibly enriching experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. This experience has been very beneficial to my research and teaching growth. I especially look forward to maintaining lasting connections and friendships with professors and friends in the SPURS community, and I believe we can collaborate and contribute more meaningful work in the future.

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

Hussain Ziyath The Maldives

As someone who has always been driven by a desire to discover the full extent of my potential, I have often been plagued by a fear of never truly knowing my limits. Nonetheless, I have always been determined to keep pushing myself.

Leaving a well-paying job to come to the U.S. on the Humphrey Fellowship was not easy. I had to work hard to prepare my application and I had to have difficult conversations with my family and loved ones. I was worried about losing my professional connections and taking myself out of the job market. Some people even doubted my decision. But already, having spent a decade at the company, I was passion-

ate to work at a national level. I felt like I had to take the risk to change the trajectory of my career.

My time at MIT has been nothing short of remarkable. One thing that stands out is the Institution’s focus on promoting practical solutions to wicked planning problems. Additionally, the learning culture at MIT is unparalleled, with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration and intellectual curiosity. Being surrounded by outstanding people from around the world who are embarking on similar journeys has allowed me to expand my horizons and think beyond my limitations.

Climate change is arguably one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime. Coming from the Maldives, a country at the forefront of climate-change impacts, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a real and present danger that requires immediate action. With current global temperature trends and questionable mitigation efforts by larger emitters, it is clear that small island nations need to seek out new knowledge and solutions to adapt and make our islands more climate resilient.

Through this lens, I see climate resilience as a multifaceted planning and governance issue. I have made a conscious decision to use my privileged position as a Humphrey Fellow at MIT to support my country in addressing this pressing issue. I have actively sought out opportunities to learn about best practices and policies around climate-change adaptation, and have acquired new skills in machine learning. Through participating in and organizing events focused on the climate emergency facing small island nations, I have raised awareness of the unique challenges that these countries face in adapting to climate change. I am proud to say that my efforts have contributed to a growing emphasis on climate change for small island states here at MIT, and with the overwhelming support I got from the SPURS team, faculty, Fellows and colleagues, I remain committed to continuing this important work in the future.

With the opportunities I have been given at MIT and through the Fellowship, I have learned new knowledge, acquired new skills and connected with like-minded individuals who share my passion for addressing the climate crisis. I am excited to continue exploring and pushing my boundaries, knowing that I have potential to make a positive impact in the world. The biggest gift and reassurance I have given myself is the courage to take risks. By stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing my passion, I have discovered my untapped potential. ■

With the opportunities I have been given at MIT and through the Fellowship, I have learned new knowledge, acquired new skills and connected with likeminded individuals...

ALUMNI UPDATES

Many SPURS Pakistani alumni participated in their country’s relief efforts after unprecedented floods during summer of 2022 affected 35 million people. As divisional superintendent for railways in Lahore, Muhammad Hanif Gul Humphrey ’13 provided free transportation for relief goods including materials for shelter, medicines, food, water and sanitation items, and raised funds to assist people in need. Regarding the wholesale destruction of crops, property and infrastructure, Waqar Shah Humphrey ’14 wrote, “This is all about climate change, and countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh are more prone to such disasters in the future.” Shah Mahmood Khan Humphrey ’17 said, “The floods were devastating, including in my province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” As secretary of the Planning and Development Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he looked after all the planning for development, as well as for the immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction of the province, and restoration of basic infrastructure. While Karachi remained safe, Fiza Afzal Humphrey ’17 said, “There have been relief drives happening throughout the city to collect food, necessities and cash to help. I also got involved with an NGO that will be constructing new homes for people in

Baluchistan.” Javed Khoso Humphrey ’20 is head of the District Disaster Management Authority in Pakistan. He wrote, “Losses are huge and rehabilitation of internally displaced people is a gigantic task. My entire district was affected by flash flooding. Our current challenge is to ensure health services, civic facilities, and law and order.”

Two enormous earthquakes flattened parts of Turkey in February 2023. Fazilet Tanrikulu Humphrey ’06, who is with the urbanization department of Iller Bank in Ankara, noted, “The earthquake left us with very important urban problems, and we are working on it.”

Nil Tuzcu SPURS ’15 wrote from Cambridge, Mass. where she leads information design at Harvard University Growth Lab’s digital projects. “One of the affected cities, Gaziantep, is my hometown. It’s so heartbreaking to watch the disaster from so far away and not be able to help.”

Ahmet Kindap Humphrey ’15 works for the World Bank’s Ankara Office, which supports recovery and reconstruction activities.

Sezen Furmage Humphrey ’16 mourned the complete leveling of her hometown, Antakya (Antioch). “The entire city infrastructure has collapsed: no electricity, no internet, no fuel, no water.”

Batuhan Akkaya Humphrey

Spring ’21, wrote that even though his family is safe, “We are trying to prepare ourselves for a loss that no one even wants to think about. With this catastrophe, Turkey is witnessing a deep polarization in politics and a great unity in civic society at the same time.” The quake also reverberated through parts of Lebanon, where Dani Harake Humphrey Spring ’21 (Lebanon) said, “The building quality in our entire region is absolutely awful. It makes me angry that these deaths are entirely preventable when the engineering for making buildings safe from earthquakes is cost-effective and simple.”

Seventeen students from a U.S. high school robotics team mentored by Peter Cook SPURS ’73 (USA) traveled to Egypt to train a group of younger students, after having coached them by Zoom during the school year. During their stay, the U.S. team helped the Cairo group advance from Lego-based robotics to metal-based robotics, and introduced more advanced programming.

Ivan Garcia Marenco SPURS ’79 (Nicaragua) revisited MIT in August 2022, and enjoyed an impromptu reunion with his former roommate, Angelito Santos SPURS ’79 (Philippines), who has worked at Brandeis Univer-

sity in suburban Boston for decades.

Ambika Adhikari Humphrey ’87 (Nepal), principal planner at the City of Tempe, Ariz., recently published “ The Nepali Diaspora’s Role in National Development” in the Journal of Policy Design and Practice. Describing how the potential contribution to national development by Nepali temporary migrants and permanent expatriates working outside the country remains underutilized, he offers recommendations for improving the strategies, policies and programs for the Nepali diaspora and government. He is also coauthor of “Promoting Urban Farming for Creating Sustainable Cities in Nepal,” along with Professor Keshav Bhattarai, a paper that explains how urban farming can help produce fresh food locally, avoid long-distance transportation and reduce greenhouse gases.

Rameshwar Adhikari SPURS ’89 (Nepal) completed a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1990 and a PhD in an interdisciplinary program in law and social sciences from Arizona State University in 1994. He works for the State of Arizona where he currently writes administrative rules, policies and procedures for the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

From June 2014 until June 2022, Juraj Sipko SPURS ’93 (Slovakia) was director of the Institute of Economic Research in the Slovak Academy of Sciences. As the only institute in Slovakia that covers comprehensive research in both the economic and social areas, it prepares the outlook for the Slovak economy, the European Union economy and the global economy.

Joseph Salukvadze SPURS

’99 is professor of human geography at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Tbilisi State University, Georgia. He has prepared several reviews of housing strategy for the World Bank and several U.N. and other international agencies. He is a coauthor and team member of the Land-Use Master Plan of Tbilisi, adopted in 2018, and the ongoing Master Plan of Batumi, the country’s second largest city.

Alfonso Valenzuela SPURS

’04 works at the State University of Morelos, Mexico. His new book, “The Financialization of Latin American Real Estate Markets: New Frontiers,” introduces the fundamental principles of urban economics, housing and large-scale real estate development in Latin America.

Daniel Esser SPURS ’04 (Germany) worked as a

senior researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability in Bonn before resuming his tenured position at American University in Washington, D.C. His chapter, “Urban Governance in Conflict Zones: Contentious Politics, not Resilience,” was included in “Urban Violence, Resilience and Security: Governance Responses in the Global South” (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022).

The Humphrey Fellowship website included Illac Diaz Humphrey ’06 (Philippines) in its Clean Air Day tribute to people working to cut pollution. Diaz’s charitable organization, Liter of Light, reworks cheap, easily accessible materials into handmade solar lights to provide nighttime illumination off the grid for hundreds of thousands of people in underprivileged communities. A profile of Diaz also appears on the Climate Hero website.

Emil Rodriquez Garabot Humphrey ’11 (Dominican Republic) was appointed director of habitat and sustainable mobility at CAF-Development Bank of Latin America. His work focuses on conceptualizing, structuring and implementing programs of habitat and urban management, with special emphasis on housing, public space, citizen

security, sustainable mobility and urban/territorial planning.

Tamer Al-Assa’d Humphrey ’12 (Jordan) joined Chemonics as the deputy chief of party/technical for the USAID Water Governance Activity, a $35 million, fiveyear project to improve the governance and performance of Jordan’s water sector.

Thanks to the newly elected government in Brazil, Liliana Pimental Humphrey ’13 has resumed her position as environmental analyst at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. While flying over the Andes to attend a conference in Chile in 2018, she was shocked to see almost no snow on the peaks, which is “compromising the water supply in Chile and Argentina,” she wrote. “This is a very important matter to raise awareness about the climate crisis.”

Jean-Bosco Abderamane Humphrey ’15 (Central African Republic) started a new position as a short-term consultant urban resilience specialist at the World Bank. He supports the management of analytical and advisory services, preparation and implementation support for lending investment, and policy dialogue in urban resilience and disaster risk management.

Now living in Switzerland, Gabriel Lanfranchi SPURS ’15 (Argentina) works at Urbaplan as an architect and urban planner, and as a researcher at the University of Geneva. He is also director of the Graduate Program in Metropolitan Urbanism at the University of Buenos Aires and a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. He and David Gomez SPURS ’17 (Mexico) were among the editors of “Steering the Metropolis: Metropolitan Governance for Sustainable Urban Development” (Inter-American Development Bank, 2017).

After attending a World Bank governance conference in Washington, D.C. in December, Shafiq Hussain Humphrey ’16 (Pakistan) visited SPURS and spoke with current Humphrey Fellow Imran Ali Sultan (Pakistan). Although they have worked on the same international projects, they had never met or realized that they share an MIT Humphrey connection. Shafiq is a World Bank procurement specialist in the Pakistan Country Office, helping the government in public procurement and capacity building to use public money with transparency, efficiency and good value. Sultan works for the government of Pakistan and has led several urban development projects funded by the World Bank and the Asian

Development Bank, where Shafiq served as the procurement consultant.

Shihab Amin Mustafa Humphrey ’16 (Bangladesh) participated in an international online forum, arranged by Vastukul School of Innovation, about the policies of city expansion and using spaces under highway flyovers. His topics covered current policies, development ideas, mass rapid-transit-related urban issues and under flyover design policies, and future plans from the Bangladesh government and the Dhaka city corporation.

Katholieke Universiteit (KU) in Leuven, Belgium, selected Tigist Kassahun Temesgen Humphrey ’17 (Ethiopia) as Alumna in the Spotlight, and featured her current project, “Gender and Space: The Role of City Design for an Equitably Inclusive Development.” A practicing architect and urbanist, she earned a master in human settlement from KU in 2010 and the MSc in urbanism and strategic planning in 2012. Her “Gender and Space” project focuses on how cities’ spatial design decisions impact vulnerable communities, and especially women’s socioeconomic development. She is coauthor (with Samrawit Yohannes Yoseph) of “State of Addis Ababa: Towards a Healthier City 2021” by UN-Habitat, and is on the project review team of the Meskel Square to City Hall Refurbishment

Project, a large government design-build project in Addis Ababa.

Heba Allah Khalil Humphrey ’17 (Egypt) received the Cairo University Encouragement 2022 Award in Engineering Sciences, based on her scientific contributions. She is a professor of sustainable urbanism and the senior coordinator of the Architectural Engineering and Technology Program at the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. Currently, she is a visiting professor at the Architecture and Construction Engineering Department of Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, with the Gender Initiative for Excellence program

Starting in 2020, Bernardo Perez Humphrey ’18 (Nicaragua) has supported the management team of the United Nations office in Nicaragua for constructing schools across socially vulnerable areas of the country to reduce poverty and foster gender parity by design. His role involves incorporating sustainable guidelines into the project planning, and delivering strategic planning and quality assurance to school design and construction.

Braulio Torres Beltran SPURS ’18 and his family relocated from Mexico City to the municipality of Amealco in rural Central Mexico, where he leads impact and learning for Nuup,

a Mexican social enterprise group committed to a more sustainable and inclusive food system. He explained, “We help smallholder farmers build more biodiverse and resilient agricultural systems. We implement practices with lower water footprints and regenerative agriculture practices that offer prosperity to farmers, and share what Nuup has learned to drive the transition to new agricultural models.”

A disaster risk reduction and management specialist, Nilima Shrestha Humphrey ’18 (Nepal) is mainly responsible for developing guidelines in the Kathmandu Valley to mainstream disaster resilience in municipal plans, programs and budgets. She is developing training manuals and providing training to federal and local government officers.

Asmaa Ibrahim Humphrey ’19 (Egypt) is now dean of the Effat College of Architecture and Design in Saudi Arabia. She supervises the departments of architecture and design, and the School of Cinematic Arts, and is responsible for the effective administration of teaching, research, and community service and engagement activities.

Class of ’20 Humphrey alumni Ayawavi Attisso (Togo), Sarnai Battulga (Mongolia), Ogynan Georgiev (Bulgaria), Alejandra

Gomez (Colombia), Mili Richards (Argentina) and Zina Ruzdic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) enjoyed a summer reunion in Greece and recalled their MIT experience that was cut short in March 2020 by Covid. Richards wrote, “It was brief but very intense, emotional and productive since the exchange of ideas and conversation in terms of urbanism, planning and current affairs always brings us together.”

Samer Wannan Humphrey ’20 (Palestine) has begun PhD studies in architecture by design at the University of Edinburgh, where he will investigate the roles that architecture and its design methods play within the wider cultural and political processes in Palestine.

In June 2022, Chandra Hada Humphrey ’20 (Nepal) enrolled in a PhD program at the Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science of Texas A&M University at Galveston. She is a graduate research assistant in the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas. Regarding her new home, she said, “It’s quite a change from the land of Mt. Everest to a coastal city.”

Sarnai Battulga Humphrey ’20 (Mongolia) is studying for a PhD at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. She focuses on sustainable energy transition pathways for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, through climate change mitigation

efforts, such as modelling long-term energy-demand forecasting and optimizing cost- and carbon-efficient pathways. As a World Bank consultant, she provides housing technical assistance to Mongolia’s Ministry of Construction and Urban Development.

After graduation, Batuhan Akkaya Humphrey ’21 (Turkey) left his previous municipality position and focused on a joint venture, Urban.koop (Urban Studies Cooperative). He wrote, “We carry out projects, programs and events in sustainable urban development and provide consultancy services. Also, I enrolled in Central European University’s Vienna-based master program in cultural heritage studies, and have started to participate in European Union projects.”

Oyun-Erdene Altan-Ochir Humphrey ’22 (Mongolia) fondly remembers her Political Affiliation with Zapotec Energy, Inc., a Massachusetts company that provides operation and maintenance service for commercial-scale solar PV systems. “I’m grateful for all those site visits and technical experience I gained during this time,” she wrote.

Magdalena Ayerra Humphrey ’22 (Argentina) participated in the first residency in Istanbul coordinated by the Culture and Sustainability Lab of Vienna. She wrote, “Thirteen creative minds

worked together, thinking about how art and culture can, and should, contribute to sustainability.”

Sharon Dinur Humphrey ’22 (Israel) changed jobs after returning home and is now director of the Preservation and Development Department for Jerusalem.

At MIT, Maira Acosta Humphrey ’22 (Honduras) and Maressa Vieira Humphrey ’22 (Brazil) built a low-cost version of a very expensive spectrophotometer in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene class at the MIT D-Lab. Using this new affordable

tool, communities will be able to check the quality of their water supply and search for cleaner sources if necessary.

On its Facebook page, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh described the links formed between the U.S. and Vietnam by Mai Nguyen Humphrey ’22 (Vietnam) her country’s first Humphrey Fellow to MIT. Her article for the APA-ID’s journal InterPlan on “Leveraging ESG in Real Estate to Promote Sustainable Urban Planning,” explained how environmental, social and governance issues can

create more sustainable, livable, resilient and equitable cities.

Yong Guo SPURS ’22 (China) presented “Landscape Information Modeling for Urban Sustainability” in the working group on urban landscape biodiversity at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities Sustainable Cities and Landscape Conference 2022. He was appointed to the steering committee as the representative of Tsinghua University, where he is an assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture. ■

Felipe Suarez Giri enjoying the Charles.