Ann Forsyth
Ruth and Frank Stanton Professor of Urban Planning
Director of the Master in Urban Planning Program
Ann Forsyth is the Ruth and Frank Stanton Professor of Urban Planning.
Trained in planning and architecture, Forsyth works mainly on the social aspects of physical planning and urban development. The big issue behind her research and practice is how to make more sustainable and healthy cities. Forsyth’s current research focuses on developing healthier places in a suburbanizing world, with overlapping emphases on aging and planned communities.
She has contributed to three main areas of research and practice. First is documenting and assessing innovative and high-density planning and design in suburban/metropolitan areas. This includes research examining new towns as a whole and specific challenging issues: achieving walkability, planning higher density and affordable housing, supporting social diversity, and balancing social and ecological values. Second is work evaluating and proposing how the physical environment can improve health. She has explored physical activity and food environments, processes of densification, and the needs of different age groups, as well as translating research on health and environments into tools for practice. Forsyth has been active in developing and evaluating new instruments and measures using GIS, fieldwork, surveys, impact assessments, public participation processes, and evidence-based practice guidelines. Finally, she has been active examining how to connect research and practice. This includes understanding the different forms of research and investigation, and how research can inform the process and substance of planning.
Her education includes a B.Sc. in architecture from the University of Sydney, M.A. in urban planning from UCLA, and Ph.D. in city and regional planning from Cornell.
At Harvard, Forsyth is affiliated with the Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University Center for the Environment, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, the Harvard-China Project and the Harvard Global Health Institute.
She is a co-leader of the Healthy Places Design Lab and the New Towns Initiative.
Related URLs:
Courses
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Thesis Extension in Satisfaction of Degree Doctor of Design
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Independent Thesis in Satisfaction of the Degree MAUD, MLAUD, or MUP
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Independent Study by Candidates for Master’s Degrees
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Thesis Extension in Satisfaction of Degree Doctor of Design
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Analytic Methods of Urban Planning: Qualitative [Module 2]
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Preparation of MUP Design Thesis
Projects
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New Towns Initiative
Richard Peiser and Ann Forsyth, Principal Investigators
Fall 2016
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RESHIM: Rethinking Social Housing in Mexico
Diane Davis and Ann Forsyth, Principal Investigators
J-Term 2016
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Health and Places Initiative
By Peter Rowe
Ann Forsyth, Principal InvestigatorFall 2015
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Healthy Environments
Ann Forsyth, Principal Investigator
Fall 2004
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Environments for Walking and Cycling
Ann Forsyth, Principal Investigator
Fall 2003
Exhibitions
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Planning @ 100
Ann Forsyth, Curator
OCT 27 – DEC 21, 2023
Events
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Aimi Hamraie, “Critical Access Studies”
Ann Forsyth, Host
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Ann Forsyth, “What is a Healthy Place? Cities, Neighborhoods, and Homes”
Sarah M. Whiting, Host
Ann Forsyth, Contributor