Maura Smotrich

I am a licensed architect and planner and, as a Guest Lecturer, will be teaching Introduction to Planning as part of the Yale School of the Environment’s Urban Learning Community. My planning background is extensive, spanning project management in an environmental planning non-profit to planning positions in city and county government. Each experience broadens my perspective and knowledge of how planners can accomplish the robust goals they envision.

I am fascinated by the intersectionality of planning subfields and the ways in which the practice of planning has evolved since the beginning of the 20th century. It is a profession that requires an understanding of two major facets of the planning world - the built and natural environments – as well as the political system that governs them to shape a better physical and social environment. I hope to instill my enthusiasm and understanding of the planning process, and the political framework in which it currently takes place, as part of this introductory course.

I received my Master of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and my Master of Urban Planning from Hunter College in New York City. In addition to being licensed to practice architecture in both New York State and Connecticut, I am also trained as a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide.