Site Planning: Sustainable Urban Development

Mary Anne Ocampo has established herself as a prominent figure in urban design and planning, serving as an Associate Professor of the Practice at MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning while maintaining her role as Principal at Sasaki Associates. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Architecture from Cornell University, and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University. At Sasaki, she leads multidisciplinary teams on international and domestic projects, integrating planning, landscape, and architecture with a focus on strategic planning and design excellence. Her significant portfolio includes the Kabul Urban Design Framework in Afghanistan, where she led groundbreaking studies on informal development and women's urban needs, and collaborations with the World Bank on flood-vulnerable communities in Metropolitan Manila. As Chair of the Sasaki Foundation Board of Trustees, she champions design equity and social justice, working to amplify historically underrepresented voices in the built environment. Her research focuses on urban resilience in vulnerable contexts, cultural identity, and socio-ecological approaches to urban design. Ocampo's contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2016 AIA National Associates Award, and recognition from organizations such as the American Planning Association and the Society of College and University Planning. Beyond her professional practice, she has co-created innovative educational initiatives at MIT, including the Site Planning Online course, while maintaining active involvement in various professional organizations and the Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism.