Rethinking Cities Through Research & Policy

Posted June 28, 2024December 28, 2025 in International Students, Public Affairs/Community Development, Students, Uncategorized

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Grounded in professional experience as an urban landscape designer and shaped by a growing interest in how policy and research influence the built environment, this graduate journey reflects a clear shift from practice to inquiry. That path defines the work of Aditya Gahlot, a recent graduate of the Public Affairs Master of Science program who has been admitted to the doctoral program. A fixture at the Graduate School House for the past two years, he credits the program’s emphasis on research and its professional development resources with sharpening his ability to apply policy and evidence toward more equitable and effective urban development.

From Design Practice to Public Affairs

My academic and professional path started at an architecture school in India, which imbued in me a strong visual sense and an understanding of how spaces can shape human experience. Following graduation, I had the opportunity to work on prominent landscape design projects across India. This practical experience not only solidified my passion for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments but also exposed me to the complexities of urban development. It was during this time that I participated in a sustainable urban development research internship, an experience that proved to be a turning point. Eager to explore this field further, I decided to pursue a Master of Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden.

The last two years have helped me improve my research and writing skills, with the intersection of research and design allowing me to present my work at conferences around the country, gain valuable feedback, and foster connections within the field.

Asking the “Why” Behind Urban Development

I loved designing buildings and landscapes in India, but I felt something was missing. I wanted to dig deeper into the “why” behind urban development – what makes a city truly function and how policy can shape it. That is why I chose Rutgers-Camden’s Public Affairs program, a program focused on building strong research skills that felt like the perfect fit for combining my design background with this new research passion. My interest in learning how to use research to create better places for people to live, along with the program’s alignment with that goal, is what ultimately brought me here.

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Rethinking Urban Vitality Through Resident-Centered Research

The research I have been working on is challenging traditional approaches to urban vitality assessment in Philadelphia. Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all metrics, I am focusing on a specific neighborhood to understand what makes it work for the residents themselves. This research goes beyond cafes and parks to identify the factors that truly matter to the people who live there.

By analyzing data using techniques such as Explanatory Factor Analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Making, I aim to move beyond surface-level surveys and develop a bottom-up approach to measuring urban vitality. This resident-focused, mixed-methods approach seeks to identify the cornerstones of a genuinely vibrant community, rather than a superficially lively urban space. Ultimately, this research aims to inform policies that directly address the needs of the people who call this neighborhood home, fostering a sense of community and ensuring that everyone benefits from its vitality.

Finding Confidence Through Research & Presentation

Honestly, my most memorable experiences at Rutgers-Camden have not been limited to the classroom, although those have been great as well. They have centered on the confidence I have gained through presenting my research at conferences around the country. Rutgers-Camden’s emphasis on research, along with the professional development resources available, played a significant role in helping me reach that point. This program has given me the skills I need to build on my design background and research interests, and I am excited to apply what I have learned to create better places for people to live.