Alireza Bahramirad

MUPP 2014

Lightengale Group

Associate Project Manager

 

Can you describe your work and how your planning degree contributes to it?

 

I work with a wide range of stakeholders: developers, contractors, architects, local housing authorities, and numerous other parties within the Affordable Housing industry. Arranging the massive puzzle that materializes in an Affordable Housing development, this process begins with creating the concept of development, financing design, and feasibility analysis and ends with construction and occupancy.

What I learned in CUPPA gave me the ability to look at a problem from several perspectives and comprehend everyone's concerns, while making sure not to lose sight of the final goal in the process.

 

What do you like most about your current job or related work in planning?

 

My current job gives me the opportunity to work through a very diverse set of problems, daily challenges can range from a small issue on a development to larger policy aspects of Affordable Housing. Navigating through these obstacles is my favorite part of the job.

 

What advice do you wish you had gotten as a MUPP or, conversely, what advice would you give to young planners today?

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Throughout the program I was intensely focused on the academic aspect of planning, just attending classes and working on papers and assignments. Although that is a very important part of the program to understand and learn the planning process and methodology, it is also equally important to take advantage of the network being a MUPP provides, to learn from the alumni, and engage in the variety of planning organizations in Chicago, whether it be through an internship or a volunteer process.