Dr. Joaquin A. Urrego, an urban economist at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, focuses his postdoctoral research on understanding urban issues, especially in slum areas. His work aims to address the complexities and challenges cities face, with a particular emphasis on improving conditions in informal settlements.
His current project takes him to Chile, where he utilizes satellite imagery to track the development of slums over two decades. "We identify what exactly is inside the slums, how many houses there are, and how they are organized inside the slum," Joaquin explains. This research aims to identify effective policy interventions, such as upgrading slums into formal neighborhoods, which he found to be a "really nice strategy" with significant visible changes even detectable via satellite.
One key finding from Joaquin's research is the effectiveness of upgrading slums compared to relocating residents. "Upgrading is a really nice strategy in many of these slums, provided they're not in risky areas prone to floods," he notes.
In addition to his work on slums, Joaquin also investigates crime in urban areas. His research in New York City has shown that areas with questionable police behavior tend to have lower rates of minority entrepreneurship.
Joaquin's journey into urban economics began with his interest in crime research during his undergraduate studies in Colombia. This led to a job at the World Bank and eventually a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. "I got involved in the economics of crime and how to study criminal behavior at the neighborhood level," he recalls. "That foundation led me to my current focus on urban issues."
Now a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley, Joaquin appreciates the autonomy and support he receives from his colleagues. "I've been given complete trust to manage my projects, which has helped me develop new skills," he says. However, he finds the administrative aspects challenging, especially dealing with visa issues and travel logistics.
Despite the hurdles, Joaquin remains motivated by his passion for research and travel. "I like to switch between projects to keep things fresh," he says. "Traveling also provides a break and helps me stay motivated."
As Joaquin prepares to enter the job market later this year, he reflects on his accomplishments. "My biggest achievement is seeing my work inform public policy," he says. "Even if my research isn't published in top journals yet, it's making a difference in the real world."
Joaquin's dedication to understanding urban problems and finding practical solutions highlights the critical role of urban economists in shaping the future of cities.