Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia

Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia is a Research Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKY CIC) within Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the National University of Singapore (2018), an MA in Southeast Asian Studies from Ohio University (2011), and a Bachelor of Law from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (2006). His research focuses on urban landscapes in Southeast Asia, emphasizing marginalized groups' survival strategies and collaborative methodologies. Key areas include migration patterns, urban policy, and the interplay between spatial mobility and social class.

His research employs experimental, participatory approaches with informants as epistemic collaborators. Notable themes include the recycling of sacred spaces, provisional urban identities, and the role of ephemeral spaces in cities like Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Vientiane. His work bridges anthropology, urban studies, and policy analysis, addressing governance, poverty, and human mobility.

Rafael has presented at conferences such as the National University of Singapore’s Global Urban Studies Cluster (2019) and the Association for Asian Studies (2015). His publications span journals like Cities, Heritage Asia, and Journal of Lao Studies, with a focus on urban dynamics, cultural memory, and socio-political transitions in Southeast Asia.

His interdisciplinary projects align with LKY CIC’s mission to address urban challenges through innovative, evidence-based approaches.