Dr. Surya Gunanta Tarigan is researching architecture and urban planning at the University of Texas at Arlington. His research project is entitled “Private Developments and Urban Expansion: Urban Development Patterns in South Tangerang.”

He is a lecturer in architecture at Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ), Tangerang. He received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Universitas Sumatera Utara, a master’s in architecture and planning studies, and a PhD in architecture from Newcastle University, UK.

In addition to doing research in the US, he wants to establish a collaboration on urban research between UPJ and Alabama A&M University as a platform for future urban research in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.