According to Vanity Fair, “the Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature.” Inspired by the Proust Questionnaire, we have put together a set of 32 questions designed to reveal the true nature of 4CITIES alumni. Or to at least give us some insight into what they are up to and what makes them, as students of “the urban”, tick.
1. What is your name?
Victor Chironda.
2. Which 4CITIES cohort were you a part of?
Cohort 09 (2016-2018).
3. Where and when were you born?
In Chisinau, Moldova in 1989.
4. Where did you grow up?
In a small town near Chisinau.
5. What did you study before 4CITIES?
Public administration.
6. Why did you join 4CITIES?
I wanted to learn more about urbanism and cities.
7. What is your fondest memory from 4CITIES?
My cohort colleagues.
8. What was the most important thing you learned from 4CITIES?
To understand a city you need to understand its people.
9. What (if anything) have you studied since 4CITIES?
Community building.
10. Where do you live now?
In Chisinau, Moldova.
11. Where else would you like to live?
In Brussels.
12. Which city have you never visited but would most like to?
London.
13. Where is your favorite non-urban place to be?
Mountains.
14. What kind of work are you currently doing?
Politics.
15. What other work have you done since graduating?
Public administration.
16. What job would you most like to attempt?
City manager.
17. What urban-related job does not exist but should?
Urban psychologist.
18. What about cities do you enjoy the most?
Pedestrian streets.
19. What about cities do you enjoy the least?
Traffic.
20. What about cities do you find most interesting?
People and their interactions.
21. What about cities do you think is over-emphasized or over-hyped?
High-rise buildings.
22. What about cities do you think is under-appreciated?
Local communities.
23. Why do you think urban studies is important?
Because cities influence people’s lives.
24. What is one myth about cities that you would like to bust?
Than cities are dependent on cars.
25. If you could time travel, what city and year would you visit?
New York, 1980.
26. What is your favorite imaginary city (from books, movies, etc.)?
Gotham City.
27. What would you like real cities to learn or take from this imaginary city?
How not to become it.
28. What books, authors, or films would you recommend to someone who wants to better understand “the urban”?
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs.
29. What changes would make cities more livable?
Car use decrease.
30. What are the most important changes cities must make in response to the sustainability crisis?
Reduce air pollution and rethink mobility.
31. If you could change one thing about your city, what would it be?
More public transport.
32. What question have I not asked that you would like to ask other 4CITIES alumni?
How do you use 4CITIES experience in your work?
You can find Victor on facebook.
