School of Public Affairs

Nico Calavita, Ph.D.
Professor of City Planning
PSFA 159
(619) 594-4027
ncalavit@mail.sdsu.edu

Education
Doctorate,
University of Florence,
Italy

Areas of Interest
affordable housing,
growth management,
new urbanism,
planning history,
urban design

Prof. Calavita's areas of interest include affordable housing and community development, growth management, the politics of growth, comparative planning, site planning and urban design. In his work, research and community service - based on equity planning principles - are inextricably linked. For example, his research and publications on housing policies, such as Housing Trust Funds, Housing Linkage Fees and Inclusionary Housing are based on his direct involvement in the attempts to implement those programs in the City of San Diego, including being Chair of the City of San Diego Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees. Similarly, his consulting is connected to community development issues. For example, he is involved in the preparation of an Interim Outcome Assessment of the Enterprise Community Program of the City of San Diego for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

His research on growth is also based on community involvement. Prof. Calavita is a Board Member of the League of Conservation Voters and of the City Heights Community Development Corporation and has been a member of several City of San Diego Committees. His article, "Planners' Attitudes Toward Growth: A Comparative Case Study" received Honorable Mention for Best Article from the Journal of the American Planning Association (co-authored with Roger Caves). His "Opinion" articles on growth and housing have appeared in The San Diego Union/Tribune and The Los Angeles Times. His interest in growth has an international component as well. He is consultant to the Tijuana Planning Department (IMPlan) on the update of the General Plan of the city, Tijuana 2000. His most recent publication (September 2000), "Behind Barcelona's Success Story: Citizen Movements and Planners' Power," Journal of Urban History (co-authored with Amador Ferrer) is based on his sabbatical research on planning in Barcelona. He has taught at the University of Florence and the University of Naples in Italy.