Tamaki Nakayama

I’m a high school junior in Los Angeles, part of a STEMM magnet program with an engineering pathway. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a strong interest in how cities are shaped—especially through urban planning. That interest grew through my experiences in Rikuzentakata, Japan, a town deeply impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. I’ve visited several times, helping with translation work and most recently, producing a documentary that shares stories of recovery and resilience.

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Spending time in a city shaped by both tragedy and resilience changed how I think about urban design. I began to see buildings not just as structures, but as reflections of memory and identity. The experience deepened my interest in how thoughtful design can support recovery and bring people together.​