Open Forum // Kian Goh

Kian Goh, RA, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. She researches the relationships between urban ecological design, spatial politics, and social mobilization in the context of climate change and global urbanization. Professor Goh’s current research investigates the urban spatial politics of climate change adaptation. This research traces flows of ideas and influence between sites and adaptation strategies in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. More broadly, her research interests include urban theory, urban design, environmental planning, and urban political ecology.

A licensed architect, Professor Goh cofounded design firm SUPER-INTERESTING! She has practiced professionally with Weiss/Manfredi and MVRDV. She was previously Assistant Professor of Urban Landscape at Northeastern University School of Architecture, and has also taught at MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, the New School, and Washington University in St. Louis. She has also conducted research as an affiliate of the Resilient Cities Housing Initiative at MIT, and the Urban Theory Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Design. Professor Goh received a PhD in Urban and Environmental Planning from MIT, and a Master of Architecture from Yale University.

Recent publications include coauthored articles on social justice and climate change adaptation in JPERand Nature Climate Change, an article on the sociopolitics of “smart cities,” a book chapter on queer activism in New York City, and a coauthored article on post-tsunami rebuilding in Indonesia in Places Journal. Forthcoming publications include an article on design and urban adaptation in Perspecta: The Yale Architectural Journal.