Project Team

We are a team of five students from the Stuart Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. This project was completed as a requirement for the Urban Spatial Analytics and Smart Cities Practicum. We'd like to thank our professors, Michael Fichman and Matthew Harris for their guidance and encouragement, as wel as our clients, Casey Ross and Dr. Christopher Puchalsky from OTIS for bringing this project to us, and for their feedback and support. We are also grateful to Dr. Jeffrey Lin from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadlephia and Dr. Domenic Vitiello for sharing their knowledge and expertise on various highway effects and US Chinatown trends, respectively. Lastly, we'd like to give a special shoutout to Mjumbe Poe for his app development expertise.

Akira (Aki) Di Sandro (she/they), MUSA '25

Data Exploration & Visualization, App Development Support, Qualitative Research, Narrative Writing

Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Mathematics from Oberlin College ('21), Aki was brought to the MUSA program for her growing interest in GIS, public/commuinty health and accesible data science and research. She loves the city of brotherly love and hopes to continue working on similar projects in the public sector!

Runchuang (Ray) Ma (he/him), MUSA '25

Qualitative Research, Narrative Writing

Ray graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is most interested in Urban green infrastructures and climate adaptation.

Luming Xu (she/her), MUSA '25

Modeling, App Development Support, Data Exploration & Visualization, Narrative Writing

Spaces set the rhythm and tempo of urban life, while maps and analysis bring joy to Luming. With a background in urban planning, GIS expertise, and machine learning skills, she strives to advance active transportation, housing equity, and vibrant urban living :)

Sijia Zhang (she/her), MUSA '25

Modeling, App Development Support, Data Exploration & Visualization, Narrative Writing

Sijia Zhang is a geospatial data analyst working where maps, models, design, and cities meet. Her work progresses from applying remote sensing methodologies to identify urban patterns, to conducting field-based spatial data collection, and toward modeling urban futures with GeoAI — building complexity layer by layer. With curiosity and a sensitivity to place, she strives to generate insights that drive sustainable and resilient urban development.

Yixuan Zhou (she/her), MLA & MUSA '25

App Development Lead, Qualitative Research, Narrative Writing

Before coming to Philadlephia, Yixuan graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Zhejiang University. Her research interests include Climate Adaptation, Urban and Public Space Design, and Product Design. Outside of work, she enjoys many hobbies including playing the piano, calligraphy, painting, and cats!