Dr. Rachel Meltzer

Biography

Rachel Meltzer is a Plimpton Associate Professor at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, where she focuses on urban economics and planning. Her research broadly examines how market policy forces shape outcomes in urban neighborhoods, specifically exploring issues such as economic development, housing, land use, and local public finance. Her work investigates various economic shocks, including gentrification and natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy, to understand their impacts on retail and real estate markets. In addition, Meltzer has conducted significant research into Inclusionary Zoning as an alternative to traditional affordable housing methods, contributing to the political economy of housing policies. She has received funding and support from several prestigious organizations, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Prior to her tenure at GSD, Meltzer was an Associate Professor at the Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment and has extensive teaching experience, having authored a textbook on policy analysis. She also holds affiliations with the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University and has a diverse professional background, including work as a Mortgage Officer and Project Manager in housing preservation.

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