urbb

Growing in a rural area at one of the third-world countries, I enjoyed exploring untouched natural areas, Where the human intervention was minimum. Thus, living in one of the most populous cities in the US, I am always critical about the human impact on the environment, and actively investigating how can the city be liveable, equitable, but sustainable.

I have always considered that urbanization has the most critical effect on the environment, which led me to enroll architectural engineering program at the Jordan University of Science and Technology. I viewed this major as a way to understand how architecture and urban planning can establish a built environment with the least effect on the natural environment. My first urban planning experience was in the downtown area of Irbid city, and I still remember how enthralled I was to be involved in a productive group work experience. We explored the site by going to the streets, interviewing people, exploring their relationship with the places, and visiting historical and traditional buildings that had been neglected by planners and authorities. This experience motivated me to be involved in urban planning as I touched on how much urban planning can affect peoples' lives. Taking other courses in urban planning, behavior, environmental design, housing, and planning theories built a solid base for my comprehension, providing me with a basis for understanding planning concepts and issues. I demonstrated valuable skills during the five-year program; I became patient, self-reliant, determined, and hardworking. After graduation, my internship at Kufranjh Municipality gave me a wealth of experience in working with the local community, trying to understand citizens' needs and expectations. Moreover, practicing urban planning in a small community introduced me to real planning challenges with the shortage of resources. Moving to the US, and living in a higher quality of urban life persuaded me to pursue my graduate studies to expand my knowledge and widen my perspectives.

Using GIS as a tool in mapping and data collection became fundamental in urban planning. Given that I didn't have a chance to comprehend this science in Jordan enough, I decided to pursue my further education in Geography with a GIS concentration at Chicago State University. During graduate school, which was a turning point in my life, I became passionate about GIS and map-making. To employ this passion in my research, in addition to intensive GIS courses, I took a class in urban and regional planning, where I became involved in sustainable urban planning, community development, and regional planning. In the practical side, I engaged in a group project to assess planning issues in one of the local communities, which introduced me to different planning challenges. Graduate school strengthened my analytical, research, and presentation skills. I maintained a 4.0 GPA, was honored three times and presented on multiple occasions on campus. During my senior year, I employed my interest in environmental planning issues and my knowledge of remote sensing technology to evaluating Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Chicago. This research project was very challenging; I spent a tremendous amount of time reading literature in order to conduct a successful extraction of land surface temperature values from Landsat images. The results of the research were valuable, and I had the chance to present them at the AAG conference in Chicago. The day I accomplished my research goals, I proved to myself how far I could go with my passion for research, and how much I could push myself to become what I want to be.

After graduation, I continued working on the research; I published a paper, and in the preparation of a manuscript, both about UHI analysis and collaborating with my colleague in research about the urban sprawl analysis in northeastern Illinois. Going back to Jordan for a short period of time, I involved in a community volunteer work, trying to rais people's awareness about the environmental issues. This short experience proved to me that more can be done in the US. When I came back to the US, I began my internship at the Village of Park forest. Joining their team to develop the village's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, which is enriching my experience in environmental planning research, at the same time, introduce me to other aspects of urban planning.

My involvement in research, interest in environmental planning with the growing environmental issues, my experience in GIS technology, and my recent involvement in sustainability planning incite me to consider pursuing my Ph.D. education. My goal is to find the answers to the questions which challenged me along the path. Then, I can gain the knowledge that I need to take a position in standing for humans and the environment, by conducting sufficient research and teaching a new generation of planners, to change the lives of people through planning, but with the minimum effect on the environment.

When I had the chance to visit the UIC campus during the GIS day, I met some of the College of Urban planning and Policy Faculties and students, and I explored part of the ongoing research. Since that, I became very interested in the Ph.D. in urban planning program at UIC, since it will give the ideal opportunity to consolidate my research interest in an absolute and useful path; by reinforcing my urban planning knowledge and experience and scrutinize the environmental and human aspects of planning. Moreover, the diversity of races, cultures, and identities will enrich my experience. I am really striving for the opportunity to prove how hard I can work to be a perfect fit for the program.