Elija Kozak is a graduate of the Master in Public Administration (MPA) program and a Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, specializing in urban planning. Originally from Rostov-on-Don, Russia, and now based between Cambridge, MA, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, Elija is an experienced urban planner with a strong interest in the intersection of urban governance and the built environment—particularly how the public sector shapes urban development. With a professional background in architecture, Elija is dedicated to advancing effective city planning practices across Russia, the Baltic States, and other countries in the region. Elija’s work explores how cities traditionally governed through centralized approaches can incorporate public participation and diverse stakeholder engagement to better serve communities. Elija believes that cities are key drivers of economic growth, social cohesion, and national development. Her research focuses on establishing governance frameworks and policy recommendations to facilitate sustainable and inclusive urban development in her region.
Elija Kozak
Center Associate
Harvard Bloomberg Summer Fellow at the City Manager's Office, Santa Clara City Hall, Bloomberg Center for Cities
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