Justice Tuffour, currently a second-year doctoral candidate in the Metropolitan Planning, Policy, and Design program, has been making remarkable strides in the field of urban planning. With over 12 years of experience, his passion for exploring the dynamic interplay between land use, transportation, and sustainable development has propelled him to the forefront of his field. Recently, Justice’s groundbreaking research earned him the prestigious inaugural Student Presentation Award from the National Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO).
A Research Journey Focused on Real-World Impact
Justice’s award-winning project originated from a paper published at the Metropolitan Research Center (MRC), where he and his co-authors examined how regional and local planning agencies could better coordinate transportation and land use efforts. The research centered around the Transportation and Land Use Connection (TLC) program, which serves as a grant initiative aimed at synchronizing transportation and land use planning for better regional development. “Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) play a critical role in guiding and coordinating transportation planning and development at the regional level, and I knew our findings had national significance for MPOs and transportation planners alike.” he shares.
The Importance of Recognition and Collaboration
Justice’s achievement is not his alone. He graciously acknowledges his co-authors—Professor Reid Ewing, Amanda Dillon (Giv Group), Fariba Siddiq (UCLA), and Neda Kiani (UDOT)—for their invaluable contributions to the project. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of teamwork in producing high-quality, impactful research.
The recognition has been a transformative experience for Justice, who sees it as a catalyst for further professional development. “Presenting to a national audience has boosted my confidence and affirmed my ability to engage with innovative ideas that resonate with both practitioners and policymakers,” he shared. This award has also expanded his professional network, opening doors to potential collaborations that will help shape his future research and contributions to the field.
Shaping the Future of Urban Planning
Justice envisions this recognition as a stepping stone toward influencing broader discussions around transportation planning, land use, and climate policy. His current research at the MRC focuses on measuring the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impacts associated with mixed-use developments across 37 regions in the United States. He is also conducting doctoral research on sustainable and equitable adoption of emerging mobility technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs). Justice hopes that his work will contribute to mitigating climate change by promoting smarter, more sustainable approaches to urban development.
Looking Ahead
As Justice continues his doctoral journey, the opportunities created by this award will help propel his work and continued impact in planning and beyond. He shares advice to fellow students and early-career researchers, “Put yourself out there – engage in networking opportunities, attend conferences, and seek feedback from peers and experts. These interactions can open doors to collaborations and help you refine your research, taking it to new heights.” From participating in high-level discussions to shaping policy decisions that influence the future of urban development and transportation planning, Justice is excited to see how his research will impact the field and contribute to solving some of today’s most pressing societal challenges.
For more information on Justice Tuffour and his work you can reach out to justice.tuffour@utah.edu
For more details on City and Metropolitan Planning check out their website here.