Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Previous Degree: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning

Role Before Joining MRED+D: Associate City Planner, City of Hayward

Marcus Martinez joins UC Berkeley’s Master of Real Estate Development + Design program after seven years of public sector experience: He worked for several local governments in Southern and Northern California as an urban planner, managing current and long-range planning projects. In these roles, he gained experience processing land use entitlements for development projects, conducted environmental reviews per the California Environmental Quality Act, and managed city-wide advancing planning initiatives to increase housing production and promote economic development.

Marcus is interested in learning about housing development financing and how to bring successful mixed-use, transit-oriented developments into fruition. He also is interested in how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed real estate and market trends for the office and retail industries. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys biking around urban centers and nature trails, practicing archery, and indoor rock climbing.