“What I enjoy most about the field of urban planning is that it combines design, data, and the ability to make a difference for communities, helping create fairer and more accessible cities. That’s the kind of work I want to do. My goal is to apply the transportation planning and GIS expertise I’ve developed at Bloustein to design more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks that improve quality of life in our communities.”
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Graduate Urban Planning Student Profiles
Transforming Transportation From A Single Traffic Light
“During my internship, I saw firsthand how crucial urban planners’ decisions are. Urban planning is a field that makes real, tangible impacts on people’s daily lives. Planners have so much power, whether we know it or not. These decisions need to be made with a critical eye and to really think about the short-term, long-term, and unintended impacts of planning decisions. If you want to be a transportation planner—which I do—Bloustein is the best school for you.”
Transit, Community and a Passion for Urban Connectivity
“I want to work on projects that enhance public transit, walking, and cycling, and I feel invigorated to apply everything I’m learning at Bloustein to foster better urban connectivity. Bloustein offers great resources, helpful professors, and a welcoming community. Be open to learning anything and everything you can. Even if you have some concrete ideas on the area of planning you’d like to focus on, it is helpful to be exposed to the different aspects of planning.”
Leading Change Through Policy and Planning
“As I thought about what I’d want to change in the world, I realized that everything starts with policy and advocacy. I hope to develop programs that allow communities to advocate for what they feel is best suited to their needs, and provide them with the tools to make it possible. The more I learn and the more people I work with in the MPP/MCRP programs, the more I can refine exactly what I need to do to fulfill my goals.”
From Simulations to Cityscapes: Designing Smarter Cities
“As I got older, I became increasingly aware of the social and environmental challenges tied to urban design. All of my experiences led me to a major where I could combine creativity, problem-solving, and a vision for better cities into something tangible. Rutgers has given me the chance to blend the technical side of planning with creative design. Urban planning is a multidisciplinary field, and the ability to collaborate with people from different backgrounds, such as engineers, architects, environmental scientists, and policy experts, will enrich your learning and the solutions you develop.”
Meshing Creativity and Community with Placemaking and Equity
“My strong foundation in writing and critical thinking, paired with my interest in community engagement and social justice, launched my Planning and Public Policy career at Rutgers. As much as I love picnicking in the green space of Hoboken’s waterfront Pier A Park or strolling along the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, I am most passionate about ensuring that all communities have access to vibrant, sustainable, and equitable cities. So be open to trying everything—even if you may not initially be interested in a specific class or internship, give it a chance.”
Cultivating an Interest in Transportation Planning from Family and Community
Growing up in a family of transportation enthusiasts fueled Arnav Prakash’s fascination with urban planning. His experience at the Bloustein School has surpassed his hopes for his education.
Shaping Communities Though Urban Development and Affordable Housing
Ian Salzman’s MCRP ’25 first exposure to urban development was a summer internship in college, working with a community development corporation and local stakeholders to develop affordable housing.
Global Perspectives, Local Impact: A Quest for Affordable Housing Equity
As an undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria Bori Agboola joined the press club, the Junior Chamber Initiative, and attended several conferences. These activities, and his natural outgoing personality, exposed him to the social, cultural, and environmental issues affecting his community.
Alumna Susana Gonzalez, AICP, MCRP ’18, highlighted by Congress for New Urbanism
Susana is as an accomplished professional with a rich background in architecture, urban planning, and community development, consistently making significant contributions to the field and striving to create sustainable and thriving urban environments.