Kuni Kamizaki

Kuni Kamizaki is an Assistant Professor and Admissions Chair at the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), University of British Columbia. He holds a Ph.D. in Planning from the University of Toronto (2022). His research focuses on urban transformation in global cities, emphasizing displacement, housing inequality, and community-led alternatives for social and racial justice. He has conducted fieldwork in Tokyo (Japan) and collaborated with community land trusts in Toronto and Vancouver.

Education Background:

• Ph.D. in Planning, University of Toronto, 2022

Research Interests:
Kuni’s work adopts a multi-scalar approach to study urban decline in post-growth Japan (e.g., Tokyo’s population decline and aging crisis) and explores CLTs as anti-displacement tools. He emphasizes participatory action research with grassroots organizations like Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust and Downtown Eastside Community Land Trust. His research bridges theory and practice, aiming to inform equitable urban policies.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2023 Urban Affairs Association’s Janet Smith Emerging Activist Scholar Research Award
• Metcalf Foundation Fellow (2024) analyzing Toronto’s Parkdale CLT history

Teaching and Collaboration:
Kuni teaches courses on housing justice and urban planning. He actively engages with non-profits in Metro Vancouver through UBC’s Balanced Supply of Housing project. He is a member of Planners Network, advocating for socially just planning practices.

Labs/Initiatives:
Collaborates with Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (Toronto) and Downtown Eastside Community Land Trust (Vancouver), contributing to housing justice advocacy and policy development.