My research interest concerns social aspects of urban development. In this broad area, I am interested in how low-income groups and women in particular access housing and basic urban services. Key concepts in my research include debates on community-based strategies and mobilizations, non-governmental non-profit organizations and grassroots social movements, participatory planning processes, empowerment, citizenship and development. A native of Iran, I completed my undergraduate education at the College of Fine Arts at the Tehran University. While in political exile in Trondheim, Norway, I graduated with a Masters degree in Architecture at the Norwegian Institute of Technology and then completed my doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Over the years my research and teaching has spanned several countries including Chile, Mexico, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United States.