Dr. Mariela Alfonzo

Dr. Mariela Alfonzo is an accomplished academic, entrepreneur, and thought leader in the field of urban planning and design. She currently serves as a Research Assistant Professor at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in the Technology, Culture and Society department.34

Academic Background

Dr. Alfonzo holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from UC Irvine, as well as an MA in Urban Planning and a BA in Psychology and Architecture from the University of Miami.1 Her academic journey began in 2001 when she started her doctoral work at UC Irvine, focusing on the relationship between urban design and behavior.2

Professional Achievements

Entrepreneurship:: Dr. Alfonzo is the Founder and CEO of State of Place, an AI-powered urban design data and predictive analytics software company.16 She established this company in 2017, building on her extensive research and consulting experience.2

Research and Consulting:: With over 20 years of expertise in urban design and behavior research, Dr. Alfonzo has made significant contributions to the field.5 She developed the Irvine Minnesota Inventory (IMI), a comprehensive walkability audit tool, and created the State of Place Index, which predates the well-known Walk Score.2

Recognition:: Dr. Alfonzo has received several notable accolades:

• Named one of the Urban Land Institute's Top 40 Young Land Use Professionals worldwide in 20141
• New Cities Foundation Place Creation Fellow1
• Fulbright Scholar16

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Alfonzo's work focuses on quantifying how micro-scale aspects of the built environment affect human behaviors, perceptions, and decisions.1 Her research encompasses the impact of urban design on various aspects of health, including physical, social, environmental, and fiscal components.1

As an internationally renowned thought leader and speaker, Dr. Mariela Alfonzo brings together the worlds of academia, practice, and entrepreneurship to advance the field of urban planning and design.17