I’m a planner with the Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, although all opinions expressed on this site are very much my own. I hold a Master’s of Regional Planning program at the University at Albany with a concentration in transportation, as well as a certificate in Urban Policy. I’m a graduate of a dual-degree undergraduate program at Columbia and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which may make me the only urbanist/planning type with a degree in Hebrew Bible. I’m particularly interested in public transit, freight rail, intercity rail, land use, and the political processes behind them.
I am a die-hard fan of the Cubs, as well as of the following things, in no particular order, and in less die-hard fashion: historic streetcars but not modern ones, Art Deco architecture, the Columbia River Gorge, and otters. I live in the lovely Jamaica Plain area of Boston with my partner (an environmental professional) and two cats. Places I’ve lived before this include Portland, OR; Storm Lake, IA; New Haven, CT; Chicago; Jerusalem; New York City, and Albany. I also spent two summers in Hong Kong as a kid. Clearly, I can’t stay in any one place too long, so follow me here as I plot my next move…
Want to get in touch? You can find me on Twitter @sandypsj or email me below.
Itinerant Urbanist 
Greetings,
I just discovered your blog really have enjoyed your posts. I’m an itinerant resident of Albany, actually Slingerlands, (a little over one year now)and Washington DC and work in the city urbanism/sustainablity space. You totally nailed both the pluses and minuses of the Capital Region. I’ve never heard the expression of Smalbany and it totally fits.
I was wondering, have you examined equity relation to your research?
Best,
Darryl