Eighth Annual GGCI Student Research Summit Highlights

On February 20th, GGCI hosted its 8th Annual Student Research Summit. 13 students from across programs and schools shared their original research, covering topics including affordable housing, transport systems, and urban environmental health. 

 

We would like to extend a special thanks to the faculty and outside guests who joined us including Robin King (School of Foreign Service) Brian McCabe (Sociology), Amparo Mercader (McDonough School of Business), Amani Morrison (English), Jordan Sand (History and Asian Studies), Carla Shedd (Sociology), Scott Wayne (Urban & Regional Planning Program), and Anita Cozart (Visiting Lecturer and Director, District of Columbia Office of Planning).

Summary of Presentations

Panel 1: Knowing the City: Community Knowledge and Urban Narrative 

Paving the Way for Urban innovation and health equity: Collecting oral histories with DC community leaders

Roberto Terrell, Undergraduate, Economics & Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences ‘27

Roberto Terrell presented on the Urban Innovation Project's work to collect oral histories of D.C.'s community leaders. His research examined how structural inequities shape health outcomes and how local organizations build systems of care built on trust, community knowledge, and relational leadership.

 

Following W.E.B. Du Bois

Alice Padula, Undergraduate, American Studies & Economics, College of Arts & Sciences ‘27

Alice Padula presented a StoryMap exploring W.E.B. Du Bois's life in Philadelphia as he completed The Philadelphia Negro. Merging spatial analysis with archival research, the project uses novel urban storytelling techniques to contextualize the influential work.

 

Designed for Whom? How Redevelopment Aesthetics Produce Early Economic and Spatial Exclusion in Boston's Seaport and Washington D.C.'s Navy Yard

Tejas Kaur, Graduate, Master’s in Public Policy, McCourt School of Public Policy ‘27

Tejas Kaur's research examines how development aesthetics in Boston and D.C. create symbolic displacement. She proposes design guidelines to promote aesthetic and social inclusion. 

Panel 2: Urban Governance and the Political Economy of Development

Past, Present, and Future of Yokohama's Urban Development Model

Joshua Rugumayo, Graduate, Master's in Asian Studies, School of Foreign Service ‘27

Joshua Rugumayo unpacked Yokohama's 20th century transformation under a successful urban governance structure, proposing the application of a parallel model to promote growth through elderly care networks and the development of the technology sector.

 

Intercity Transport in the La Paz-El Alto Region: New Mobility, Spatial Stratification, and Opportunities for Integrated Metropolitan Planning

Sean Rafferty, Undergraduate, Government & Physics, College of Arts & Sciences ‘26

Sean Rafferty explored transporation inequality and metropolitan fragmentation between La Paz and El Alto in Bolivia, advocating for integrated metropolitan governance, multimodal connectivity, and coordinated planning.

 

Transitioning Beijing Beyond Land-Based Finance: Fiscal Stress, Urban Governance, and the Political Economy of Land Value Capture

Zoe Li, Undergraduate, Global Business, School of Foreign Service ‘27

Zoe Li analyzed Beijing's land-lease system. Her work explores how the infrastructure finance tool creates fiscal risk yet continues because of the political infeasability of alternatives.

Panel 3: Urban Environmental Justice and Public Health 

Mapping the Benefits of the Proposed Frank Gehry-Designed Parks on the LA River

Justine Brandes, Undergraduate, Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Arts & Sciences ‘26

Justine Brandes explored the impact of a proposed Los Angeles Park on its surrounding neighborhood. Using spatial and data analysis, her project maps and quantifies community health benefits.

 

Latin American Air from Above: Using TROPOMI Satellite Data to Track Atmospheric NO₂ Pollution 

Daniela del Rosal, Undergraduate, Science, Technology, and International Affairs, School of Foreign Service ‘27

Daniela del Rosal's work uses satellite data to analyze air quality across 10 cities in the Americas. Comparing cities, she reveals which policies are most effective and deduces car ownership and population growth as key driver of air pollution.

 

The Accessibility Paradox: Addressing Psychological and Jurisdictional Barriers to Green Space Equity in Washington, D.C.

Jun Nishida, Graduate, Master of Policy Management, McCourt School of Public Policy ‘26

Jun Nishida explores access to green space in Ward 7 and Ward 8 of Washington D.C. His project uses a concept of "functional access" to unveil how trash accumulation and jurisdictional fragmentation create institutional, physical, recreational, and psychological barriers to access.

 

Panel 4: Displacement, Development, & Equitable Reinvestment

Displacement in the Baltimore Vacancy Reinvestment Initiative: Embedding Preventive and Anti-Displacement Levers for Baltimore’s Residents

Karla Reyes Diaz, Graduate, Master of Policy Management, McCourt School of Public Policy ‘26

Karla Reyes Diaz's research critiques Baltimore's vacancy reinvestment efforts for siloed focus on redevelopment outcomes without adequate attention to displacement risk. She proposes the expansion of monitoring capacity, resident stabilization capacity, and asset-building capacity to ensure reinvestment benefits existing residents.

 

Affordable Housing Suitability Analysis

Ashlei King & Nena Burgess, Graduate, Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Continuing Studies ‘26

King and Burgess combine a GIS suitability analysis with BID case studies to explore the potential of BID districts to facilitate afforable housing expansion. They highlight the role of bids in supporting land use and zoning advocacy, infrastructure coordination, and economic stabilization efforts. 

 

The Spillover Effects of Upzoning on New Residential Construction in Neighboring Areas in San Jose and Hong Kong

Bennie Chang, Undergraduate, Regional and Comparative Studies, School of Foreign Service ‘26

Bennie Chang presented a comparative analysis of spillover effects of upzoning in San Jose, California and Hong Kong. His findings reveal upzoning deterred development in neighboring areas and increased nearby home value.