Jose Requena

Jose joined MPC as an Allard Fellow in 2015. His work supports MPC’s Corridor Development Initiatives and Chicago’s Rivers project. Prior to joining MPC, Jose was a fellow at the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, assisting with regional initiatives such as the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership and truck permit initiatives. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Urban Planning & Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

A lifelong resident of Chicago, Jose finished his undergrad at UIC in 2008. He then spent the next four years as an English teacher in South Korea, and his time in the capital of Seoul informed his initial studies in urban planning.

Back in his home city for two years now, Jose is reacquainting himself with his old stomping ground around the university, Pilsen and other great neighborhoods. He has enjoyed discovering the many changes in the city since he left, especially by the lakefront.