Johanna Looye

Johanna Looye is an Associate Professor in the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati, part of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). She holds affiliate faculty roles in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Latin American Studies; Asian Studies; and Human Rights programs. With a PhD from Cornell University (1994), her expertise spans urban and regional theory, international development planning, and quantitative research methods.

Her research focuses on Latin American development, small business ecosystems, and urban environmental governance. Notable work includes studies on microenterprise development in Brazil, Thailand, and the U.S., as well as environmental policy analysis in Rio de Janeiro. She received a Senior Fulbright Fellowship (1999) for research at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Dr. Looye has secured over $500,000 in grants, including federal funding for transatlantic urban sustainability initiatives and microenterprise assessments. Her awards include the DAAP Dean’s Service Award (2005) and recognition for leadership in urban planning education. She actively contributes to local economic development through collaborations with Cincinnati’s Business Incubator and community organizations.