The University at Buffalo invites applications from outstanding candidates interested in pursuing a career in research and teaching through its PhD program in urban and regional planning.
Now accepting applications for Fall 2023 admissions cycle. Deadline is January 15, 2023
The program, designed to nurture distinguished scholars and researchers, offers research and learning opportunities encompassing the field of urban and regional planning. Examples of some research areas where the program offers special capability, international distinction, and emphasis include:
Declining cities and distressed urban communities
Health, food systems, human abilities, and environment
Built environments and environmental change
Disasters and extreme events
Advanced technology, information systems, and methods in planning
Students have opportunities to study under the supervision of faculty from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and under the supervision of interdisciplinary co-chairs from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the Department of Architecture.
2022 (Dissertation title: ; Dissertation Committee: Ernest Sternberg [chair], Daniel Hess, Sharmistha Bachi-Sen; Current Position: Instructor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University at Buffalo)
Professor Daniel Hess's research is addressing interactions between housing, transportation, land use, and other public concerns. He develops new pathways for understanding the complex socio-economic and ethnic landscape of cities and spatial inequalities. He also explores equal access to resources from urban neighborhoods, focusing especially on the changes in gay neighborhoods and the LGBTQ+ population diffuses to other metropolitan locations.
Jordana Maisel works at the intersection of research, teaching and practice as assistant professor of urban planning and research director for the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center).
Kate Nelischer joined the School of Architecture and Planning in 2022 as assistant professor of urban planning, bringing research and teaching experience that will foster connections across real estate development and urban planning in the study of smart cities and planning and development governance.
Associate Professor JiYoung Park’s research interests are urban economics and transportation modeling as applied to natural and man-made environmental and security problems.
Samina Raja is an international expert in planning and policy for sustainable food systems and healthy communities. She is professor of urban planning, principal investigator of UB's Food Lab and associate dean for research and inclusive excellence.
Robert Silverman applies urban planning to the study of the non-profit sector, the role of community-based organizations in urban neighborhoods, education reform, shrinking cities, and inequality in inner city housing markets.
Professor Sternberg studies the relationship between planning theory and planning practice and has strong interests in the intellectual history of planning thought.
Nicholas B. Rajkovich, assistant professor of architecture, investigates the intersection of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and adaptation to climate change. He directs UB's Resilient Buildings Lab.
Korydon Smith is professor and chair of architecture at UB and co-director of UB's Community for Global Health Equity. He works across disciplines to build design solutions for those who have been traditionally marginalized from decisions about the design of their built environment.
Edward Steinfeld, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Architecture and director of the IDEA Center, has been a trailblazer in the field of inclusive design since the 1970s. He believes architecture should, first and foremost, benefit the people who use buildings, and make a positive contribution to the community.
