Publications and reports

Selected publications, reports, and public scholarship.

Journal articles are linked to publisher or DOI pages rather than posted as full PDFs. Public-facing reports and teaching/project reports are available as downloadable PDFs where appropriate.

Peer-reviewed articles

Examining Spatial Opportunity for Local Action: From Theory to Practice.

Sowmya Balachandran and Andrew Greenlee. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 44(3), 1516-1528.

This article examines how spatial opportunity is theorized, measured, and translated into planning practice, with attention to the limitations of conventional opportunity metrics for local action.

Read the journal article on spatial opportunity

Inclusionary Housing in the United States: Dynamics of Local Policy and Outcomes in Diverse Markets.

Ruoniu Wang and Sowmya Balachandran. Housing Studies, 38(6), 1068-1087.

This article analyzes inclusionary housing policy dynamics and outcomes across diverse housing markets in the United States.

Read the Housing Studies article on inclusionary housing

Low-Income Homeownership and Safety Nets: The Role of Radical Community Practices.

Sowmya Balachandran. Housing, Theory and Society, 42(2), 234-251.

This article examines the role of community practices and local safety nets in sustaining low-income homeownership.

Read the Housing, Theory and Society article on low-income homeownership

Making Low-Income and Minority Homeownership Work: Non-profit Intermediary Networks in the Chicago Region.

Sowmya Balachandran. International Journal of Housing Policy, 25(1), 56-77.

This article examines nonprofit intermediary networks that support low-income and minority homeownership in the Chicago region.

Read the International Journal of Housing Policy article on nonprofit intermediary networks

Missing Meals and Missed Rides: Transportation Barriers to Food Access for Vulnerable Populations.

Laura M. Keyes, Jintak Kim, Sowmya Balachandran, Sara Kuttler, and Simon Andrew. Urban Science, 9(6), 198.

This article examines how transportation barriers affect food access and daily needs among vulnerable populations.

Read the Urban Science article on transportation barriers and food access

Reports and public-facing outputs

Inclusionary Housing in the United States: Prevalence, Practices, and Production in Local Jurisdictions as of 2019.

Ruoniu Wang and Sowmya Balachandran. Grounded Solutions Network, 2021.

Download the inclusionary housing report (PDF) · View the Grounded Solutions Network resource page

Unlocking Mobility: Incentivizing Transportation for Enhanced Mobility of Elderly and Disabled Riders.

Program Evaluation Final Report, 2026.

Download the Metrocrest final evaluation report (PDF)

The Dynamics of One-Call/One-Click Transportation Systems: Insights from 21 National Case Studies.

Research report, 2024.

Download link to be added.

Advancing Pathways to Equity in Urban Planning: Insights from the 2023-2024 UPCD Planning Studio.

Executive summary, 2024.

Download the 2023-2024 studio executive summary (PDF)

Implementing Stormwater Regulation in Urban Systems: Insights from the 2024-2025 UPCD Planning Studio.

Executive summary, 2025.

Download the 2024-2025 studio executive summary (PDF)

Urban Planning Studio: Climate Vulnerability, Aging, and Managed Retreat in Coastal Massachusetts.

Executive summary, 2026.

Download the 2025-2026 studio executive summary (PDF)