Ryan Lawrence is a graduate student in the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers-New Brunswick, pursuing his Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning. Ryan grew up with strong interests in gardening, preserving nature, and creating social spaces. After graduating from his undergraduate degree program he spent a year working for a community garden that supplied a local food pantry, combining a desire to build community and grow local, healthy food. As a summer intern with the New Jersey State Policy Lab, Ryan’s research focuses on the development patterns of cities, access to natural spaces, the effect of tax policies on growth, and policies to expand access to housing.