Previous Events

While Zurich is a center of global finance it also has a century-old commitment to public benefit and nonprofit housing, implemented through a cooperative model of resource sharing. While the Zurich model cannot be fully transferred to cities in the US, there are lessons to be learned from its long-standing commitment to nonspeculation within a for-profit real estate market and for the role of design in that work.

This student-led conference from the Harvard Kennedy School is dedicated to exploring Mexico’s vibrant and complex political, social, economic, and cultural landscape. The Mexico Conference brings together experts, policymakers, academics, and leaders from various sectors to engage in thoughtful discussions about the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the country.

Meyer Fellow and PhD candidate Leonardo D’Amico will discuss research he did with Maxim Alekseev on whether greater financial integration in the decades after World War II helped spur population and economic growth in the American South and West, and the relative decline of Northern financial centers.

Join us for a talk with Elora Raymond, Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Tech, about what happens when housing is treated as a financial asset rather than a social good.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian will explore how public health and public safety intersect to address the complex challenges of homelessness. Drawing from his experience as a prosecutor, legislator, and law enforcement leader, Sheriff Koutoujian will discuss innovative, data-driven programs that prioritize continuity of care, access to essential services, and evidence-based solutions.

Join us for an overview of fellowships and research grants for Harvard students, including several community service summer fellowships that support Graduate School of Design and Kennedy School students working at public and private entities in the US.

The student-organized Housing Infrastructure, Policy & Design Symposium will convene policymakers, practitioners, academics, and students to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in housing today. Topics will include affordability, sustainability, homelessness, modular construction, housing tech, and global lessons.

Innovative approaches to building affordable housing and revitalizing commercial corridors will be the focus of presentations by our 2024 Gramlich Fellows in Community and Economic Development. 

The student-organized Latin America Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School explores urban challenges and opportunities across Latin America. This year’s theme, "Harnessing the Potential in Latin American Cities," brings together experts and leaders for panels on housing, infrastructure, sustainability, and more.