User:Ktin/sandbox/V. Setty Pendakur

V. Setty Pendakur is a professor emeritus at University of British Columbia who was the first South Asian individual in the Vancouver City Council.

He is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning and President of Pacific Policy and Planning Associates, a boutique firm specializing in policy development in developing countries. In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, Pendakur has also made significant contributions to the public sector, including through his work as a City Councilor and Deputy Mayor of Vancouver and as the Director of Metro Vancouver (Regional Government).

Pendakur's research interests lie in the fields of transportation planning and policy, particularly as they relate to developing countries. He has published numerous papers on these topics and has served as the Founding Chair and current Secretary of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Transportation in the Developing Countries. In addition to his research, he has also served as a consultant or advisor in over 30 countries and has held a number of important positions in professional organizations. He is an Honorary Professor at China National Academy of Sciences and a Senior Counselor to the State Council of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Singapore.

Early life
Pendakur was born on February 11, 1934 in Karnataka, India. He grew up in a small market village before completing his post-secondary studies in Bangalore. After joining the Indian Administrative Service, he was offered a United Nations Scholarship to attend the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, where he earned his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning followed by his PhD in Transportation Engineering and Public Policy from the University of Washington.

Career
Pendakur began his career as a transportation engineer and has held a variety of positions in both the private and public sectors throughout his long and distinguished career. After obtaining his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and PhD in Transportation Engineering and Public Policy from the University of Washington, he took a job with the Ministry of Transport in Canada, working on airport construction in Prince Rupert. He then spent nearly two years working for a private company in associated engineering services before accepting a position as a professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning in 1966. In this role, he taught Transportation Planning and Public Policy for over three decades and also served as Professor Emeritus.

In addition to his work as a professor, Pendakur has also held a number of important public service positions. In 1972, he was elected to the City Council of Vancouver, becoming the first South Asian to hold this position. He served as Deputy Mayor during his time on the council and made significant contributions to the city, including through his work on the Stanley Park Seawall, the waterfront plan, and the Development Permit Board, among other initiatives. He also served as the Director of Metro Vancouver (Regional Government) and as a Special Assistant to the Minister of Transport in Canada.

Pendakur has also been active in professional organizations and has served on numerous boards and committees throughout his career. He is the Founding Chair of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Transportation in the Developing Countries and its current Secretary, and has published over 100 papers in refereed journals. In addition, he is an Honorary Professor at China National Academy of Sciences and a Senior Counselor to the State Council of the People's Republic of China and to the Government of Singapore. He is currently the President of Pacific Policy and Planning Associates, a boutique firm specializing in policy development in developing countries, particularly in Asia.

Personal life
Pendakur is married to his wife Rajinder and has two sons, Ravi and Krishna, both of whom are academics.