This week, Leah Furey Bruder, a Bloustein School alumna and member of the Bloustein Advisory Board, discussed her journey in urban planning on the EJB Talks podcast with Dean Stuart Shapiro. Bruder shared her transition from international studies to local planning after working on community development in Camden, NJ. Her career includes roles in Cherry Hill and as an in-house municipal planner in Evesham Township before starting her own firm to focus on significant projects.
Bruder highlighted two notable projects: transforming aging shopping centers into mixed-use spaces and opposing a large-scale development that threatened New Jersey’s agricultural land. She emphasized the complexity of planning, which involves balancing economic, environmental, and housing needs while engaging with community stakeholders.
Reflecting on her career path, Bruder noted the importance of gaining diverse experience and understanding knowledge gaps to navigate competing interests effectively. "Planners can get involved in a lot of different types of projects," she said, underscoring the significance of choosing impactful work that balances various priorities.
In discussing her work at Evesham Township, Bruder described redevelopment efforts focused on "grayfields" or outdated shopping centers. These areas were revitalized into vibrant spaces with commercial aspects and affordable housing. She also recounted successfully opposing a development proposal in a rural town dedicated to preserving agriculture.
Bruder explained the intricacies of balancing priorities in planning: "Different people would probably answer it differently...we’re always kind of evaluating what the various policy priorities are." This process often involves considering local context and elected officials' priorities while weighing broader implications.
Addressing challenges faced by planners, Bruder acknowledged the role of politicking when dealing with local decision-makers who may not have professional expertise. She emphasized the importance of educating these stakeholders to facilitate informed decisions during public meetings.
For students aspiring to enter urban planning, Bruder advised gaining varied experiences and recognizing knowledge limitations. She stressed that planners must balance diverse interests for public benefit: "We need to find a way to balance everyone’s interests."
The conversation concluded with Shapiro expressing interest in further exploring themes like stakeholder dynamics. The episode offered insights into urban planning's complexities and Bruder's dedication to impactful community-centered projects.
