Abbreviated CV
PDF Download Link
WORK EXPERIENCE
Heritage Vancouver
Volunteer Researcher – Urban Planning
Research and prepare reports on zoning and density bonusing tools affecting heritage and affordable housing preservation.
Analyze online public sentiment on major developments such as the Granville Street Proposal through web scraping and qualitative review.
Support community engagement on co-op housing and heritage retention, including public meetings for the False Creek South Co-op Preservation Report.
ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND
Community Advocate – Housing, Environmental, and Economic Justice Programs
Organized actions regarding anti-displacement and workers' rights of Chinatowns in Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Manhattan and Flushing, NY.
Conducted demographic and spatial analysis to support housing justice campaigns in gentrifying neighborhoods, directly informing advocacy strategies.
Led multilingual outreach and created clear, accessible communication and Know Your Righhts materials for public education and stakeholder engagement.
Collaborated with legal teams to collect and analyze field data for advocacy reports and community briefings on housing issues.
NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Researcher – Saving America’s Chinatowns
Created StoryMaps, visual materials, and public presentations to communicate complex zoning, planning, and affordable housing issues to diverse audiences.
Supported community consultations and surveys to gather local input on infrastructure, public space, and urban services in historic low-income neighbourhoods.
Drafted policy memos to advocate for public space improvements and green infrastructure, aligning community needs with policy recommendations.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Research Assistant: GSAPP Anti-Racism Task Force
Developed and facilitated workshops and educational materials focused on inclusive design and climate justice in planning practice.
Supported faculty and student engagement on equity-focused architecture, urban planning and preservation initiatives.
PLANNING FOR MIGRANT SHELTERS IN NEWARK
Data and Policy Analysis Studio Project
Conducted site assessments and spatial data collection to support planning for temporary shelter and service access for vulnerable populations.
Produced maps and visuals to evaluate built form and public space use, informing practical recommendations.
Recommended updates to bylaws based on research findings and direct community needs assessment.
VERTICAL CITIES: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN HONG KONG SAR
GIS Project
Used ArcGIS to correlate housing affordability with access to public amenities (transit, green spaces), informing density and land-use recommendations.
EDUCATION
Columbia University
Master of Science in Urban Planning
Thesis: “No Country for Old Chinatowns: Preservation and Gentrification of Toronto’s Chinatown West”
Awards: M.S. Urban Planning Peer to Peer Award, International Fellows Program
University of Toronto
Honours B.A. in East Asian Studies and Public Policy
SKILLS & TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
Software: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, R, Python, Esri StoryMaps, Adobe Suite, SketchUp
Languages: Mandarin (native), Spanish (basic)
Certifications: First Aid/CPR-AED Level C
Contact
Email: victoria.lin@columbia.edu
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-lin-389b1477/