Amara Thompkins is a graduate student at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy where she is working towards a Master’s in City and Regional Planning. She has set out to achieve a Certificate in Real Estate Development and Redevelopment at Bloustein as well. Amara received her B.A. degree at Northern Illinois University where she majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Geology. Her interests involve planning green spaces, making cities sustainable, and the transfer of development rights. Amara is currently a research assistant on two projects: one focusing on flash flooding in New Jersey and another examining rezoning and the transfer of development rights in East Midtown Manhattan.