Javier Chávez

Born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua (1955), México. Geographer and urban planning researcher.

Full time professor and urban researcher (since 1987) at Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (UACJ). Pioneer in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies, in the Paso del Norte Region (PdN: Juárez, Chihuahua; El paso, Texas; Las Cruces, Nuevo México). This is a region in northern México and south of the USA where two nations -very different in several ways-, three states and about three millions of people -mainly hispanos and gringos- struggle every day, but enjoy the life also.

As the founder and first director of the Centro de Información Geográfica (CIG-UACJ) in 1992, initiated the use of GIS technologies in the region (Paso del Norte region); first, publishing the very first digital map of ciudad Juárez. Although this black and white map was printed and sold around the city -even on streets- it is the very first of its kind due to the use of this technology in the region.

Professor of urban planning and urban studies at Planificación y Desarrollo Urbano's masters program (MPDU) and Urban Studies doctoral program (DEU). Also, cofounder of DEU (2009) and member of the staff.