Barkha is a local government leader and urban planning professional with 10 years of experience in implementing transformational and inclusive public infrastructure. She most recently served as the Director of Infrastructure for Jersey City, NJ, a cabinet-level position for one of the most densely-populated and ethnically diverse cities in the country. Barkha is currently advising leaders and organizations on how to innovate government operations and build safe, sustainable, and people-centered public spaces in their communities.
As Jersey City’s first Infrastructure Director, Barkha oversaw the planning, design, and implementation of the City’s critical public infrastructure including all municipal streets, transit, parks, public spaces, buildings, and other public facilities. She led the City’s Architecture, Engineering, Transportation, Sustainability, and Innovation agencies, which are responsible for over $600 million of capital improvements to enhance the quality of life for Jersey City’s residents and visitors. Under Barkha’s leadership, the City has experienced a year with zero traffic fatalities on municipal streets, launch of the city’s first on-demand microtransit system which has completed 3M+ rides, redesign of dozens of streets to prioritize walking, cycling, and transit, consistent expansion of green open space and recreational opportunities which led to a leap in the City’s national ParkScore ranking in just 5 years from 47 to 31 of the top 100 cities, transition to energy-efficient municipal buildings and fleet of vehicles, increased investment in urban forestry, and the incorporation of cultural identity within the built environment through meaningful infrastructure improvements. View the complete portfolio of projects here.
Awards + Accolades:
2018 | Complete Streets Excellence Award - Jersey City, Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza
2021 | NJRPA Excellence in Design Award - Jersey City, Bethune Park
2021 | NJSME Municipal Project of the Year Award - Jersey City, Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza
2022 | Tree City USA Distinction - Jersey City
2022 | NJ Intelligent Transportation Society Award - Jersey City, Via MicroTransit
2022 | NJ American Planning Association Distinguished Planning Award - Barkha Patel
2023 | Complete Streets Excellence Award - Jersey City, Vision Zero Implementation
2023 | Environment + Energy Leader Award - Jersey City, Energy Savings Improvement Program
2023 | Downtown NJ Transformational Initiative Award - Jersey City, Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza
2024 | Downtown NJ Excellence Award - Jersey City, Bergen Square
2024 | NJ ASCE Service to the People Award - Barkha Patel
2024 | Sustainable New Jersey Silver Certification - Jersey City
2024 | Strong Towns National Gathering Keynote - Barkha Patel
2025 | NJ American Planning Association Great Places Award - Jersey City, India Square
2025 | Rutgers University Bloustein School Distinguished Alumni Award - Barkha Patel
