Naomi Uchida is a Fulbright Scholar and Professor from the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Saitama University in Japan where she teaches classes in urban planning. She received her Ph.D. in Architecture from Waseda University in 2006 and an M.A. in Urban Design and Planning from University of Washington (Seattle) in 2004. She is a member of several committees of local government including city planning commissions. Uchida engages in field surveys in Ishikawa, Saitama and Tokyo prefectures while working with communities, non-profit organizations, and local governments on urban projects. Her current research focuses on Japanese gentrification, urban revitalization, and community development.