Years of experience in the town planning business have taught DPZ the value of the charrette process. The charrette brings together all interested parties who are invited to offer direction and feedback while the plan is being created. Through presentations, meetings and pin-up sessions, the charrette team is able to keep the community continually informed as the plan unfolds. The DPZ charrette has become well known throughout the industry as an extremely effective means of transforming vision into reality.

Please click for more information on Public Sector Charrettes and Private Sector Charrettes.

Organizing a charrette begins weeks before the design team arrives at the site, by a DPZ Charrette Coordinator. Listed below are some of the steps taken prior to the charrette:

-Client Contact: Initial meeting is set up by the Coordinator to identify project issues.

-Charrette Schedule: A meeting schedule is established.

-Invitations, Press Releases, and Media Coverage: The Coordinator assists in compiling mailing lists and press materials.

-Site Tour and Project Overview: Tours and overviews are arranged for the design team.

-Charrette Paper: Custom pre- and post-charrette newspapers are coordinated with client, if desired.

-Base Materials: Base materials are compiled and deadlines reviewed with client.

-Equipment and Supplies: Vendors are located for equipment and supplies, which are ordered as needed.

-Client Follow-up: Leading up to the charrette, the Coordinator makes weekly calls to review progress and facilitate problem solving.

After all preliminary work has been completed, the charrette team arrives on site and spends the next week designing, critiquing, and presenting plans to the community. Following the charrette, the results are produced in a formal report and, if requested, the information is published and distributed.

For more information about DPZ charrettes, please contact Senen Antonio at 305.644.1023 or senen@dpz.com.