Dr. Jesus Lara

Biography

Jesus J. Lara is a Professor in the Urban and Regional Planning program at Michigan State University. His teaching and research focus on sustainable urban design, Latino Urbanism, community development, and the sociocultural factors that influence planning and design. He has co-edited and contributed to works like 'Remaking Metropolis: Global Challenges in the Urban Landscape' and contributed to a special issue of the 'Journal of Urbanism' that emphasizes international research on placemaking and urban sustainability. Lara is also noted for his literature review on Latino Urbanism and his authored work 'Latino Placemaking and Planning: Cultural Resiliency Strategies for Re-urbanization'. His career has concentrated on emerging planning and design approaches that respond to the lifestyles, cultural preferences, and economic needs of diverse communities. His current research encompasses three primary subfields: planning and placemaking for emergent immigrant communities, community development through service-learning education, and innovative pedagogic strategies in sustainable urban design. A former Fulbright Fellow, Lara has engaged with various academic institutions in Europe and has been recognized with multiple awards for his contributions to urban studies. He is dedicated to inspiring students to become reflective and knowledgeable professionals in planning and design, aiming to effectively engage and serve their communities through an integrative approach to education and practice.

Research Interests

Experience