Hello, my name is Maxwell Goldman and I am a recent graduate of Westfield State University. During my time at WSU, I majored in Geography & Regional Planning with a concentration in Social Justice, and participated in a variety of internships and student activities. Since childhood, I have been passionate about real estate and urban design and throughout my studies and work experiences I have learned the value of fair and equitable design. I hope that in the future I will be able to help create vibrant, healthy, and sustainable communities for everyone to enjoy.
About Me
Planning Philosophy
I believe planning is the ability to anticipate change. Whether its planting seeds in anticipation of hunger, or building a wall around a village to keep occupants safe from invaders, when people plan for the future, they will be much more prepared to cope with it. Anticipating change has always been something I've focused on since I am constantly planning every aspect of my life around my disability. Since childhood I have been learning to live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and because I use a mobility scooter these days, I need to take careful precautions in whatever I do and wherever I go. Today, planning things comes naturally to me, and my attention to detail has never been better. Learning to cope with a disability has forced me to think about Urban Planning in my everyday life, as I must navigate around the built environment in ways that most people do not.
In my career, I strive to take a balanced and information-based approach to solving problems. In a world where inequality seems common, solutions that benefit everyone are now more essential than ever. In my life I have seen inequality firsthand, from sidewalks with no curb cuts to buildings with no elevators, these types of exclusionary designs motivate me to take action and promote equality. Helping people achieve satisfaction with their environments is something I value very highly, and in the future I plan to leverage my experiences into a career where I can accomplish this.
Throughout my life I have had the chance to visit many extraordinary places. Along with my family, I have been to over eleven different countries, and twenty-three different states. I believe traveling is essential because it gives people perspective. Each place I go inspires me, and whether it’s a small village in France, to a shopping mall in Japan, I hope to someday replicate the good design I've seen in my future work. Here are a few of my favorite places I have been to recently: