Urban Economic Development MSc staff profiles

Our teaching staff are completing research building on our mission to build the capacity of professionals and institutions, undertaking a range of action-oriented work with partners in different parts of the world.

Programme leaders

Dr Naji Makarem
Naji leads the Practice Module in Urban Economic Development. His research focuses on developing a just transition to inclusive, ecological and circular regional economies through community organisation, good governance, social entrepreneurship and enabling (old and new) technologies.
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Dr Alessio Koliulis
Alessio teaches Urbanisation and Development and Economic Policy Evaluation Tools. His research interests fall within two themes: i) urbanisation and economic democracy; and ii) technological innovation and the creative industries. 
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Graduate Teaching Assistant

Juliano Cavalli

Teaching staff

Professor Julio Dávila
Julio's research focuses on the role of local government in progressive social and political transformation in developing countries; the governance dimensions of urban and peri-urban infrastructure (transport, and water & sanitation); the intersection between planning and urban informality; and linkages between rapid urbanisation and health. 
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Étienne von Bertrab
Étienne teaches the optional module Sustainable Infrastructure and Services in Development (DEVP0024) and his academic and activist work focuses on environmental justice in Latin America. He is researcher and tutor in the practice engagement on the Tren Maya project in Mexico. 
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Dr Alexandra Panman
Alexandra teaches Introduction to Public Economics and Public Policy and Economic Policy Evaluation Tools. Her research focuses on land and housing, living standards in cities, and informal markets.
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Dr Margarethe Theseira
Margarethe brings her experience of delivering urban economic development programmes for governments and cities across the world to her teaching of the London Project that forms the UK practice engagement. Margarethe is a member of the Mayor of London's infrastructure advisory panel and provided expert advice in the development of the London Industrial Strategy. She is also a Senior Director in Strategic Consulting at Jacobs, one of the world's leading solutions providers.

Professor Le-Yin Zhang
Le-Yin teaches the ‘Managing the City Economy’ module. Her research focuses on the role of the state in urban economic development and in addressing climate change. 
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