Aïcha S. Woods is the Urban Program Manager at Yale School of the Environment, and supports the Urban@Yale Initiative and the Climate and Urban Learning Communities at YSE. Aïcha has worked at the intersection of community development and climate resilience, and has expertise in sustainable design, affordable housing, infrastructure, and community engagement. Aïcha is committed to advancing systems-level solutions for urban development that focuses on housing affordability and climate change impacts. Her work has centered on innovative capacity-building programs and collaborative initiatives working towards impactful implementation. With a Master of Architecture from Yale University and a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, Aïcha’s career encompasses diverse roles across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Her recent experience includes leading on federal grant applications for affordable housing and community development and advising on a HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Transformation Plan in Bridgeport, CT. During her tenure as Executive Director of the City Plan Department in New Haven, Aïcha oversaw multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects and spearheaded impactful urban policies, including affordable housing zoning reforms and climate resiliency policies. In the private sector, Aïcha contributed to the design of landmark civic, institutional and commercial projects globally at Pelli Clarke Architects. Her work encompassed high-profile projects such as the Minneapolis Central Library, Liverpool One and Vietcombank Tower in Ho Chi Minh City.
Aïcha’s interdisciplinary approach integrates her passion for architecture, urban design, and equitable climate solutions. Her dedication extends beyond her professional roles; she actively volunteers in environmental and public art initiatives in New Haven and is an enthusiastic advocate for the role of art and design in imagining just climate futures.
