Urban Perspectives in Practice: Fellows in Urban Leadership Visit Washington, D.C.

Last week, Penn IUR’s 2024-25 Fellows in Urban Leadership traveled to Washington, D.C. for a full day of conversation, site visits, and reflection on the future of cities. Designed to connect Fellows with national leaders in housing, international development, and public space, the visit grounded abstract policy discussions in the people and places shaping urban change today.

The day began at the National League of Cities, where Fellows met with staff to learn how city officials advocate for local priorities at the federal level. The group heard about the organization’s work to elevate urban voices on issues like infrastructure funding, climate resilience, and community development.

From there, the Fellows walked to the Penn Biden Center for a working lunch and conversation with Chandan Deuskar, urban development specialist at the World Bank. Deuskar shared insights from his work across global cities, offering Fellows an international lens on equitable planning, growth management, and the role of data in shaping urban futures.

In the afternoon, the group met with Julia Gordon, recently Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Gordon discussed current housing policy challenges, including the shortage of affordable housing and efforts to improve equity in homeownership. Her remarks prompted rich discussion on the complex, often slow-moving landscape of federal urban policy.

The Fellows then took to the streets for a walking tour of the 11th Street Bridge Park and the Southwest Waterfront. Led by Jessica Smith Lennan, Deputy Director of Building Bridges Across the River, and Steve Moore, President of the Southwest Business Improvement District, the tour explored how infrastructure projects can serve as tools for community connection. The 11th Street Bridge Park, currently under development, will span the Anacostia River and link historically divided neighborhoods, with a focus on inclusive design and anti-displacement strategies.

“It was amazing to see—not just hear guest speakers talk—but actually go to some of the sites,” said Faith Applegate, one of the Fellows. “All their projects that they discussed just give a lot of hope in a time that can be really uncertain. It's wonderful to know that there are people that are…trying to make [cities] better for everyday people of all different kinds of backgrounds.”

The trip wrapped up with dinner graciously hosted by Penn IUR Advisory Board member Melanie Nussdorf and also attended by Board Member Lawrence Parks, CEO and Co-Founder, Forethought Advisors, and Penn IUR's Co-Directors, Genie Birch and Susan Wachter. The informal setting offered Fellows a chance to reflect on the day and discuss their own paths in research, public service, and city leadership.

“It was a really generous trip,” Applegate said. “[Penn IUR] organized all these really intentional, thoughtful visits and guest speakers. It was a great opportunity to get to know the other Fellows more; we spent a lot of quality time together during the day.”

Learn more about the Fellows in Urban Leadership program and recommend an undergraduate by visiting https://penniur.upenn.edu/student-programs/penn-iur-fellows-in-urban-leadership. Applications are due June 2, 2025.