Doctoral students
Girma Mulu Alemu
My research interests are in urban development and urban management. I am currently working on my dissertation on the socio-economic impacts of unregulated urban expansion on smallholder farmers in peri-urban areas of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am interested in understanding the dynamics of peri-urban change and its social and economic impacts on smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan African cities. The work is jointly supervised by TU Dortmund University and Ardhi University in Tanzania. I completed my Masters in Urban Management and Development at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Prior to that, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Jigjiga University in Ethiopia.
E-Mail: girma.alemu@tu-dortmund.de
Jackline Kabahinda
I conduct research on a wide range of development issues, with a frequent focus on Uganda. I have conducted research on civil society, anti-corruption and pro-poor land policy development in Uganda. I am currently writing my PhD at IPS on women's land rights in two Ugandan villages. I have worked in development for 20 years and am passionate about sharing knowledge through teaching and research to improve development narratives and agendas. For example, I have supported the Association for Practicing Organisational Development in East Africa (APODEA-Uganda Chapter) to promote value-based practices.
Email: jkabahindayahoocom
John Mwangi Kimani
I conduct research on urban land use change and planning, human settlement planning, urban environmental planning and management, and urban informality, and have worked as a research assistant at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis and the Centre for Economic Governance in Nairobi, and as an urban planner in government and private institutions. In 2015, I completed my Masters in Urban and Regional Development Planning and Management (SPRING) in Germany and the Philippines. Since 2020, I am a member of the faculty at Kenyatta University, Kenya. I am currently doing my PhD at IPS on understanding everyday practices of functional mixing in mono-zoned planned neighbourhoods in Nairobi.
E-Mail: john.kimaniku.acke
Fataneh Malek
As a Ph.D. candidate, my research focuses on exploring the affordable housing program in Iran, examining the challenges and opportunities it presents for Iranian women. My interests lie in the study of gender inequality in urban planning policies, particularly in relation to affordable housing projects for underserved communities. My academic background includes a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy Design from the Politecnico di Milano, as well as additional Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Urban Design and Urban Planning from Azad University, Mashhad. With previous experience as a lecturer at Azad University, I am dedicated to advocating for inclusive and equitable urban spaces.
E-Mail: fataneh.malektu-dortmundde
