Laura Wolf-Powers is an assistant professor in the graduate city and regional planning program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches urban economics, economic development and community development. Her research focuses on metropolitan labor markets, job-centered economic development, workforce development, and the role of third sector organizations in urban politics and governance.

This lecture is part of PARG's Emerging Voices Lecture Series. P+ARG is comprised of research students in both Urban and Regional Planning and Architecture. Our main purpose is to enhance the social and academic experiences of research students in the college. We organize forums for sharing research across disciplines as well as casual social events. We also use the group as a platform from which to approach administrators and outside groups with our aspirations and concerns as a student body. Our most exciting project this year will be the extension of last year's successful "Emerging Voices" series of guest lectures into a day-long conference planned for March 2011. This conference will be interdisciplinary in nature, and is themed "The Lean Years: Infrastructure, Dwelling and Sustenance," where we will convene local and visiting scholars to discuss the future challenges and interesting constraints facing those who shape the built environment.