Annette M. Kim researches the spatial processes of major institutional change, particularly the reconstruction of property rights and planning paradigms in rapidly urbanizing regions. Her publications include studies of the first generation of private real estate developers in Vietnam, the political struggle for land and compensation on the urban periphery, and the contestation for sidewalk space in the midst of migrant street vending and populist urbanism. Currently, she directs the research group SLAB which is developing methods of spatial ethnography and critical cartography in order to re-conceptualize urban space and find more inclusive and humane ways to design and govern the 21st century city.

Professor Kim received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in City and Regional Planning as well as a concurrent M.A. in Visual Studies; a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University; and a B.A. in Architecture and Studio Art from Wellesley College. Professionally, she has been an architect of affordable housing, a construction project manager, and jury member of international urban design competitions. She has also served as a consultant to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, the World Bank, African and Asian governments, as well as community-based NGOs.