About
Maya Desai is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Design and Graduate Program Director for Design for Health at OCAD University. She co-leads the SystemCity Research Group, focusing on innovative urban housing solutions. Her work emphasizes equitable, sustainable, and adaptable housing models addressing global urban challenges like affordability and infrastructure aging.
- Research Focus: Urban housing typologies, community resilience, and systems design for equitable cities
- Key Projects: 'Housing Innovation Toolkit' and Toronto-centric housing studies
- Collaborations: Interdisciplinary teams including Strategic Foresight & Innovation Program
Her research integrates comparative case studies from global cities to develop practical frameworks for housing innovation. Notable contributions include analyzing co-living models, prefabrication technologies, and alternative financing strategies.
- Teaching: Guides MDes candidates in foresight methodologies
- Methodologies: Systems thinking, participatory design, and data visualization
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