Shaping Cities, Empowering Communities: Alexandra’s Journey in Urban Planning

By Sayaspora

Some people have a presence so warm and inviting that even through a screen, they make a space feel lighter—like a safe place to land. Alexandra is one of those people. From the moment she smiles, it’s as if she’s inviting you into a space where your thoughts, ideas, and presence matter. Her laugh lingers, wrapping around you like a cozy embrace, making even the weightiest conversations feel uplifting.

But beyond the warmth she radiates, there’s an undeniable brilliance in the way she sees the world—not with a cold, analytical gaze, but with curiosity, care, and a deep appreciation for the power of community.

As the founder of Urban Limitrophe and Untitled Planning, Alexandra is not just redesigning cities—she’s reimagining who gets to shape them. In this conversation with SayaBusiness, she shares the story of her journey, the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur, and her vision for cities that don’t just function but truly belong to the people who live in them.

The Unexpected Path to Urban Planning

Alexandra’s journey into urban planning wasn’t something she mapped out early on. In high school, she stood at a crossroads, unsure of what career path to take. Then, a guidance counselor took one look at her interests and said, “You should study urban planning.”

At the time, she had no idea what that even meant. But as she explored the field, she realized it was about so much more than buildings and blueprints—it was about people. It was about crafting spaces that nurture communities, that make people feel seen, safe, and connected.

With that newfound passion, Alexandra pursued a Bachelor’s in Human Geography, Urban Studies, and Geographic Information Systems at the University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s in Urban Planning. She wasn’t just studying cities—she was learning how to make them better for the people who call them home.

A Life-Changing Trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo

Sometimes, a single experience can shift the course of a person’s life. For Alexandra, that moment came during a trip to Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo—her first time visiting the African continent.

There, she saw something that deeply moved her: resilience, ingenuity, and innovation flourishing despite systemic challenges. The people in these cities weren’t waiting for governments or institutions to solve their problems—they were creating solutions themselves.

But these stories were missing from the global narrative about African cities. “Why wasn’t I learning about this in school?” she wondered. “Why were these stories not being told?”

So, she decided to tell them herself.

Building Urban Limitrophe and Untitled Planning

Urban Limitrophe was born from that question—a project dedicated to amplifying the urban innovations of Africa and the diaspora. At first, she imagined it as a video platform, but when the pandemic hit, she pivoted to audio storytelling, launching a podcast that highlights grassroots urban development projects across the continent.

Her passion for community-led city-building didn’t stop there. In 2023, she co-founded Untitled Planning with fellow urban planner Sami Ferwati. What started as a media platform to make urban planning more accessible quickly grew into a social impact organization that now works on:

Affordable housing initiatives
Community land trusts
Innovation hubs
Business support programs
Creative placemaking and cultural projects

At its core, her work is about giving power back to the people—helping communities shape their own neighborhoods, rather than having decisions imposed on them from the top down.

The Challenge of Being a Woman Entrepreneur

Navigating the world of entrepreneurship as a Black woman in Canada has not been without its challenges. Securing funding for community-driven projects, she explains, is always a battle. Social impact work—despite its importance—often struggles to attract investment compared to traditional businesses.

But Alexandra is not someone who backs down. She leans on collaboration, creativity, and community, building strong partnerships to make things happen. She credits much of her resilience to her support system—friends, family, and colleagues who remind her that rest is just as important as hustle.

Her advice to other women starting their own ventures? “A closed door isn’t always a no—it’s sometimes just a redirection to something better. Keep going.”

What’s Next for Urban Limitrophe and Untitled Planning?

The future is bright, and Alexandra has no shortage of ideas. Some of the exciting projects on the horizon include:

A documentary on urban innovation infrastructure and highlighting local community economic development initiatives
Launching a new season of the Untitled Planning Podcast: An interview series exploring urbanism from multiple facets featuring experts in AI, water governance, the arts, psychology, and more
The Urban Pop Culture Club: a project that dissects films through an urban planning lens

She also dreams of bringing her podcast full circle, returning to her original video storytelling concept and traveling across Africa to capture urban development projects on film.

For her, seeing is believing—and she wants the world to see the brilliance, creativity, and resilience of African cities.

A Legacy of Empowerment

If there’s one thing to take away from Alexandra’s story, it’s this: urban planning isn’t just about where buildings go—it’s about people, culture, and the kind of future we want to build together.

With her signature warmth, wisdom, and unwavering passion, she is proving that city-building can be inclusive, community-driven, and deeply human.

And in doing so, she’s inviting all of us to reimagine the places we call home.

To learn more:

Website: Urban Limitrophe