Deepa Mehta

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT DEEPA MEHTA

I am passionate about understanding how industries shape our communities, culture, and climate. My work has spanned urban planning and design of industrial sites and facilities as well as industry-specific economic development research and strategic foresight. My research, planning, and advocacy projects focused on climate equity, community and stakeholder planning for large-scale transportation projects, cultural heritage planning and site development (museums, universities, world heritage sites, and national parks), textiles and craft strategy, technology and commercial innovation. Currently, I am focused on how the finance industry, specifically asset management and institutional investments, influence urban development. I am a PhD candidate in Urban Planning at Columbia University\'s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. My dissertation investigates infrastructure privatization and institutional investment frameworks, exploring pathways toward sustainable development. My research examines the intersection of economic growth, industrial change, and climate adaptation. With over a decade of experience in research and consulting, I\'ve worked across sectors—from urban planning to technology—transforming complex problems into practical solutions.My methodological approach bridges political economy, economic sociology, and institutional analysis to understand how industrial transformations and technological transitions manifest in urban contexts. I pay particular attention to the institutional arrangements that shape sustainable development. My background enables me to translate complex institutional dynamics into strategic frameworks for addressing challenges across sectors. I welcome dialogue with scholars, practitioners, and organizations interested in critical approaches to infrastructure governance, industrial transitions, and climate adaptation. I look forward to working together.