Franny Xi Wu Mit
Franny Xi Wu is an emerging voice in urban planning and affordable housing advocacy, currently pursuing a dual degree in Master in City Planning and Master of Science in Real Estate Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Raised in a peri-urban village in China by a family of housing rights activists, Wu’s upbringing deeply influenced her commitment to equitable land financialization and housing security in rapidly urbanizing regions. Her work bridges the gap between mission-driven urbanism and market forces, aiming to create cities that sustainably serve their underhoused inhabitants.
Academic Background and Research
Franny Xi Wu holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. At MIT, she has been involved in various research initiatives, working as a research assistant at the MIT Co-Lab, D-Lab, and Media Lab. Her academic pursuits focus on the intersection of urban planning, real estate development, and social equity. In her 2025 thesis titled China Dispossession Watch Making Visible the Human Costs of Urbanization,” Wu examines the impacts of rapid urbanization in China, highlighting the human costs associated with displacement and land dispossession. This work reflects her dedication to addressing the challenges faced by communities in the face of urban development.
Professional Experience
Before her time at MIT, Wu gained practical experience in various roles dedicated to housing advocacy and community organizing. She led a guerrilla anti-displacement coalition in East China, directed a homeless shelter in Cambridge, and supported a decentralized unhoused policy movement. Additionally, she served at a community land trust in Boston’s Chinatown, where she contributed to efforts aimed at preserving affordable housing and empowering local residents. These experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding housing issues in both urban and peri-urban contexts.
Role at Chinatown Community Land Trust
Currently, Wu serves as the Assistant Director at the Chinatown Community Land Trust (CCLT) in Boston. In this capacity, she collaborates with community members to develop strategies for preserving affordable housing and combating displacement in the Chinatown neighborhood. Her work involves engaging with local residents, policymakers, and other stakeholders to implement initiatives that promote housing security and community resilience.
Personal Interests and Community Engagement
Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Franny Xi Wu is passionate about community building and cultural exchange. She enjoys hosting supper clubs, gardening, photography, writing, table tennis, and exploring science fiction and fantasy media. Wu currently resides in Back Bay, Boston, with her feline companion, Buddy. Her personal interests reflect her belief in the importance of fostering connections and creating spaces for dialogue and creativity within communities.
Franny Xi Wu exemplifies the integration of academic rigor, practical experience, and personal passion in addressing the pressing issues of housing and urban development. Through her work at MIT and the Chinatown Community Land Trust, she continues to contribute to the creation of more equitable and sustainable urban environments. Wu’s journey underscores the significance of community-driven approaches in shaping cities that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all their inhabitants.