Spotlight on senior planner Mohdudul Huq
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Story and photo by John Perry
Wanted: a senior planner for the city’s Planning & Development Department. Must perform complex urban planning assignments to revitalize neighborhoods and improve Houstonians’ living conditions. Requires 25-plus years of progressive professional experience, including long-range economic development and U.S. census issues.One other qualification is required, and this is a must: Candidate must have such superior customer service skills that citizens write to express their thanks for having been helped in such a positive manner.
Tough job to fill? Yes. But fortunately for P&D and Houston, Mohdudul Huq already serves in that position.
Huq’s accomplishments read like a shopping list of a great career: certificates of appreciation from former Mayor Lee P. Brown, former City Councilman Michael Yarborough and City Councilman M. J. Khan. Former County Judge Robert Eckels praised Huq for his dedicated involvement in the Mayor’s 2000 Census Teams for Houston and Harris County. Huq’s meticulous attention to details translated into additional millions in federal grants.
And citizens also appreciate him. Since 1995, they’ve been writing to a succession of mayors and department directors to commend Huq for his assistance and sensitivity to their needs.
“Last week I needed information on my lots in the Heights,” wrote Paul F. Pernoud in a recent letter to Mayor Bill White. “Mr. Huq was most cooperative in supplying me the required research and data.
“The matter that prompts this letter is his attitude,” Pernoud wrote. “He’s of the old school. He genuinely cared that I received what I needed.”
Pernoud may well have hit on the key to Huq’s commitment.
“Yes, I am one of the old-timers,” said Huq who joined P&D in 1984 after completing his master’s degree in urban planning at the University of Akron. “I know the functions of the city and how to find the information citizens need.
“I treat people with a great deal of courtesy that they sometimes don’t seem accustomed to. And try to make their visit to our department a positive experience,” said Huq who offices at 611 Walker St. “I want them to feel good about the city.”
It’s easy for him because he actually enjoys helping people.
“I come from a history of helpfulness,” Huq said. “My grandfather was a doctor who opened a free clinic for the poor in Calcutta. His story gave me the inspiration to help others.”
He recounts helping an elderly gentleman who had historical ties to Houston’s City Hall.
“His name was Joseph S. Finger. He was about 75,” Huq said. “It was just past closing time in our office when he came looking for some geographical information about some property he owned. I stayed an extra 25 to 30 minutes to help him.
“Turned out that his father was the chief architect of our City Hall. It felt good to give something back to his family.”
Huq's commitment to the community is continued by his three children. They have spent hundreds of hours volunteering in hospitals, working at Habitat for Humanity home sites, and collecting canned goods for Houston's homeless.
“The need for planners to share and shape a community’s vision has never been greater,” Mayor Bill White said. “I applaud Mr. Huq for his dedication, accomplishments and contributions to the Planning & Development Department and to the citizens of Houston.”