The College of Environment and Design is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Stephen Ramos, our colleague and dear friend, on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Ramos was an accomplished international scholar of urban planning and design. Ramos joined the CED in 2011, and through his scholarship elevated the urban planning program into the internationally recognized program it is today. A lifelong learner, Ramos’ research focused on port cities, energy transition, logistics and planning history. His most recent book, “Folk Engineering: Planning Southern Regionalism” was published in November 2025.
Ramos graduated from Gettysburg College in 1992 with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish. In 2009, Ramos received his Doctorate of Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design. At Harvard, Ramos co-founded the journal “New Geographies.” Ramos also held master’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ramos was an active member of the international planning scholarly community. He served as the editor for the Americas of U.K.-based journal “Planning Perspectives” and as Vice President–Elect of the International Planning History Society. Ramos also served as an International Advisory Board Member in the PortCityFutures research consortium among Leiden, TU Delft and Erasmus Universities in the Netherlands. In 2020, Ramos co-founded the international arts and urbanism collective Port Futures + Social Logistics.
At the CED, Ramos is remembered for his 15 years of dedicated teaching, research and service. Beyond his scholarly achievements, Ramos was known for his generosity, integrity and commitment to student success. He is survived by his wife, Nuria, and his two children.
He will be deeply missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him. Join us in honoring Stephen’s legacy by sharing any messages of support or memories you have of him here.
See more:
August 2025: Stephen Ramos: A Global Eye on Southern Regionalism
April 2024: Urban Planning Professor Helps Students Identify Community Strengths
August 2023: Community Planning Students Help Secure $4.9 Million Grant
August 2021: New Publication: Oil Spaces, Exploring the Global Petroleumscape
