Dr. Alexander Von Hoffman

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Alexander von Hoffman is a historian and urban development expert focusing on housing policy and community development. He has authored several influential books and numerous scholarly articles that examine the interplay between urban history and social policy. His notable works include 'House House, Block Block: Rebirth America’s Urban Neighborhoods' (2003) and 'Fuel Lines Urban Revival Engine' (2001), which explore the development of community movements across major American cities. He also contributes to general-interest periodicals like the Atlantic Monthly and The Boston Globe. Currently, von Hoffman is working on a comprehensive study of low-income housing in the United States, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, alongside several case studies on the preservation of affordable housing. Having directed a significant project in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey, he has a deep understanding of metropolitan development, having explored the patterns of urban sprawl from 1970 to 2000. He earned his Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's degree in History from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He has previously held the position of Associate Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and is linked with the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Research Interests

Experience

Lecturer

— Present

Harvard Graduate School of Design • Cambridge, MA

Teaching urban planning and design courses.

Senior Research Fellow

— Present

Joint Center for Housing Studies • Cambridge, MA

Conducting research on housing policy and issues related to community development.

Associate Professor

— Present

Harvard Graduate School of Design • Cambridge, MA

Prior role focusing on urban planning and design.

Courses

HIS-4488 Making American City: Form Society

Requirements for Harvard University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a technical or quantitative field
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).