Bio
Anna Carl is a Master of Urban Planning student at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Born in Japan and raised in Michigan, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. Her experiences living in Tokyo, Kyoto, San Francisco, and New York have shaped her understanding of communication, cultural awareness, and accessibility in grassroots planning, especially in community development and cross-cultural engagement. Anna has contributed to temporary planning projects, such as pilot programs, pop-ups, and street activations, that spark civic engagement and generate public interest in urban issues. She currently serves as a senior design editor for Columbia GSAPP’s Urban Magazine and volunteers with Architecture + Advocacy, gaining hands-on experience in collaborative design, advocacy, and community outreach. As a future planner, she hopes to build bridges between people from diverse backgrounds and foster inclusive communities of care and support. Outside of her work, Anna enjoys sewing, reading fantasy novels, exploring cities, attending cultural events, and going all out at karaoke with friends, finding joy and connection in creative expression and shared experiences.
