Alex Petric is a PhD Candidate in Urban Planning at the University of Waterloo, working under the supervision of Dr. Dawn Parker. His previous work includes master’s degrees in Rural Planning & Development (2019) and Applied Mathematics (2016). Prior to his Ph.D. studies, Alex worked in rural research, data analysis, and consultancy positions.
Alex’s research explores how urban environments affect social capital, which refers to the density and quality of social connections and the benefits that flow from them. His studies focus on missing middle housing (higher-density low-rise developments) and their potential community benefits. Alex's work uses agent-based modelling alongside in-field research to study how housing type, housing mix, and social infrastructure affect social capital formation, with an aim to help planning practice to support social capital formation and reduce social isolation among urban residents. Alongside this research, Alex has worked as a Research Assistant for the SSHRC-funded study “Why did the Missing Middle miss the train?” and was part of a team that reached the national semi-finals for the 2022 Map the System competition.