Richard B. Pieser

Richard B. Peiser is the Michael D. Spear Professor of Real Estate Development at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, a position he has held since 1998. With a Ph.D. in Land Economics from the University of Cambridge, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a B.A. from Yale University, Peiser brings a wealth of academic expertise to the field of real estate development. His career spans over four decades, including a significant tenure at the University of Southern California, where he founded the Master of Real Estate Development Program in 1986.

Peiser's research focuses on understanding real estate developers' responses to market forces and institutional environments, particularly in urban redevelopment, affordable housing, and suburban sprawl. He has been actively involved with the Urban Land Institute, where he serves as a Trustee and has authored numerous publication. His seminal work, "Professional Real Estate Development," is widely regarded as a cornerstone text in the field.

Beyond academia, Peiser's experience as a planner and entrepreneur-developer enriches his perspective on real estate finance and land development. He has led various studio projects and field studies across the United States and internationally, including in China and Northern Ireland. Currently, Peiser directs advanced education programs for senior real estate executives at Harvard, notably the six-week Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate.