John Betancur Ph.D., Associate Professor
& Interim Director of IRRPP
Dr. Betancur has a Ph.D. in Public Policy analysis and a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He hold degrees in Sociology and in Philosophy and Letters from UPB and USB in Medellin, Colombia. He worked at UIC's Center for Urban Economic Development for 15 years in economic development research and technical assistance. He has had a lifelong involvement in community work in Latin America and the USA. In Chicago, he has partaken in mutiple public and private initiatives to improve opportunities and conditions for minorities. In this capacity, he served in many organization including the directorship of a prestigious Latino not for profit in the city. Dr. Betancur teaches community and international development courses. Although his research is diverse, he focuses mostly on economic development issues related to disadvantaged populations. It includes globalization and its impacts on U.S, minorities, Latino sett! ! lement patterns and problems in U.S. cities, gentrification and joint efforts for advancement between African Americans and Latinos. He has published many articles in academic journals and books and multiple technical assistance reports on community and economic development. His most recent publication is The Collaborative City: Opportunities and Challenges for Blacks and Latinos in U.S. Cities, a book co-edited between him and Professor Gills. Focus of Teaching: Community and international development and Latinos in the U.S.A.
Universidad Pontifica Bolivariana, Medellin, Columbia (1971); Sociology Degree, Universidad San Buenaventura, Medellin, Colombia (1974); MUPP, University of Illinois at Chicago (1977); PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago (1986).
Courses
UPP403 Introduction to Urban Planning
UPP520 International Development Planning Theory and Applications UPP540 Community Development:History and Theory
UPP545 Urban Revitalization and Gentrification
Research
Economic and community development particularly as it pertains to minorities.
Publications
J.J. Betancur and D.C. Gills. Forthcoming. The Collaborative City: Opportunities and Challenges for Blacks and Latinos in U.S. Cities. New York: Garland.
David C. Ranney and J.J. Betancur. 1999 (and 1992). "Labor Force-Based Development: A Community-Oriented Approach to Targeting Job Training and Industrial Development." In Approaches to Economic Development edited by John P. Blair and Laura A. Reese. Thousand Oaks, London and New Delhi.
J.J. Betancur. 1996. "The Settlement Experience of Blacks and Latinos in Chicago: Segregation, Speculation, and the Ecology Model." Social Forces 74, 4:1299-1324.
J.J. Betancur, Teresa Cordova and Maria Torres. 1993. "Economic Restructuring and the Process of Incorporation of Latino Workers into the Chicago Economy." In Latinos in a Changing U.S. Economy edited by R.Morales and F.Bonilla. Newbury Park, London and New Delhi.
R. Giloth and J.J. Betancur. 1988. "Where Downtown Meets Neighborhood: Industrial Displacement in Chicago, 1978-1987." Journal of the American Planning Association 54, 3:279-290.
J.J. Betancur. 1987. "Spontaneous Housing Settlement in Latin America: A Critical Examination. Environment and Behavior 19,3:286-309.
J.J. Betancur, Albalucia Serna and Patricia Londono. 1981. Social Composition and Political Mobilization in Low-Income Neighborhoods of Medellin. Medellin: Universdad de Antioquia.
Contact
betancur@uic.edu
Room 223 (MC 348)
312-996-2125