Dr. Delia Wendel

Biography

Delia Wendel is an Associate Professor in Urban Studies and International Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she focuses on critical peace studies and urban history. Her interdisciplinary research addresses the intersections of urban studies, conflict, peace studies, architectural history, cultural geography, and anthropology. Wendel's current work explores Rwanda's genocide heritage and its implications for memory, justice, and human rights practices in the Global South. She is the author of an upcoming book, 'Rwanda’s Genocide Heritage' (Duke University Press, 2025), which reflects on the personal aspects of memory and justice. Additionally, her research on post-genocide peacebuilding, articulated through her book 'Peace Villages', analyzes the socio-spatial impacts of design in creating homes and community spaces. With grants from esteemed institutions such as the Graham Foundation and the American Council of Learned Societies, she engages in community-based research that focuses on memory justice and reparative planning initiatives in diverse locations including Providence, Rhode Island, and southern Chile. Wendel holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Harvard University and has previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Edinburgh. She currently directs the Planning Peace research group at MIT and serves as the managing editor of 'Projections', a peer-reviewed journal in urban studies and planning.

Research Interests

Experience