Tahsin Tabassum, a second year student at OU’s master’s program in Regional and City Planning, has been honored with the Ed McClure Award for Best Master’s Student Paper by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). Her paper, titled “Exploring Transportation Justice and Equity through the Transportation Justice Threshold Index Framework in Municipalities of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma,” was recognized for its innovative approach to addressing transportation equity. Her paper was developed as part of a project for her “Transportation Geography and Planning” course.
Tabassum’s research focuses on analyzing transportation justice using the Transportation Justice Threshold Index Framework within municipalities in Oklahoma County. Her work aims to identify disparities in the transportation system and provide practical recommendations to promote equitable urban mobility. By addressing these issues, her study contributes to creating more inclusive and accessible transportation options for all community members.
The award includes a $1,000 prize and the opportunity for Tabassum to present her findings at the upcoming ACSP Annual Conference in Seattle. This recognition highlights the significance of her research in the field of urban planning and its potential impact on addressing transportation inequalities.
Originally from Bangladesh, Tabassum earned her bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) before pursuing her master’s degree at OU. Her personal experiences navigating public transportation as an international student in the United States inspired her to delve into issues of transportation justice and equity.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
