Hoping to advance affordable housing in Florida, UF student Oluwasegun James studies sustainable development
For Nigeria native Oluwasegun James, life is busy. The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning student is pursuing dual master’s degrees in urban and regional planning and integrated sustainable development, putting him on the path to improving affordable housing in Florida.
As a recent intern with the Florida Housing Coalition — a statewide nonprofit consulting and advocacy organization that helps local governments and stakeholders find housing solutions — James worked directly with the resilience and disaster recovery team. The experience opened his eyes to the challenges in sustainable construction and rehabilitation throughout Florida.
“I remember sitting in on a strategic planning conversation with the executive director of the Florida Green Building Coalition, where I obtained valuable insight into the intersection of policy and implementation,” James said. “I walked away thinking the most rewarding part of the internship was knowing that my work will help affordable housing developers across Florida make better-informed decisions about resilience and sustainability.”
James’ daily tasks as an intern included reviewing third-party certification programs like the Florida Green Building Coalition, Enterprise Green Communities and IBHS Fortified, preparing summary documents and comparison matrices, and attending stakeholder meetings with industry professionals. The most challenging part of the internship was translating technical standards into accessible materials for a broad audience while maintaining accuracy, but he passed with flying colors.
“Oluwasegun is very smart, analytical, and his ability to assess new complex systems and programs is impressive,” Florida Housing Coalition Director of Resilience and Recovery CJ Reynolds said. “He thinks at a ‘research fellow’ level and proposed several excellent ideas this summer.”
James, who is scheduled to graduate with both master’s degrees in Fall 2026, credits the College of Design, Construction and Planning for sharpening his research and policy evaluation skills. Courses like Environmental Land Use Planning and Housing Policy provided a solid foundation that directly aligned with his work at the Florida Housing Coalition.
James also acknowledged the impact of the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, where he currently serves as a graduate research assistant. There, he has been growing, particularly through his contributions to the geographic information system section of their data clearinghouse and research.
After UF, James aims to become a leader in sustainable urban development, focusing on housing resilience, climate adaptation and integrated environmental planning through academic research or global development work.
“I have found each of my professors to be uniquely insightful, and their collective guidance has helped shape my academic and professional growth,” he said.
With his blend of academic excellence, hands-on experience and passion for sustainable communities, James is charting a path that extends far beyond Gainesville. He is determined to leave a lasting impact — one that ensures the next generations inherit cities and communities that are built to withstand the many challenges facing Florida’s future.