Royal Advocate for the Natural and Built World

DPZ’s connection with Britain’s new king began when the Prince of Wales mentioned Seaside in his 1988 book and documentary, A Vision of Britain, praising its sociable, interconnected plan and walkable urban scale. He made his vision a reality in 1989 when he commissioned the plan for the village of Poundbury – an extension of Dorchester – on land owned by his Duchy of Cornwall.

The master plan was drawn by Leon Krier and DPZ was subsequently engaged to draft a model urban code for the first phase. Since construction began in 1993, Poundbury has been a testament to Charles’ commitment to traditional town planning principles and classical architecture as viable tools with which to craft real 21 ^st century communities.

Despite the constant barrage of criticism from the modern architectural media for what it derided as historicist aesthetics, the success of Poundbury has been undeniable. Though not yet complete, today it is a truly mixed-use community. Home to 4600 residents and employing 2400 workers, Poundbury features a broad range of housing where a third is considered affordable or low-cost.

Charles’ support for New Urbanism has inspired numerous traditional new towns across the UK, including two in Scotland that were master planned by DPZ. Tornagrain in Inverness, and Chapelton of Elsick in Aberdeenshire are emblematic of the Scottish government’s support for sustainable urban growth patterns in the form of complete towns and villages. These two projects are illustrative of the goal the King once ascribed to Poundbury, “this should not be yet another soulless housing estate with a business park tacked on.”

In addition to its sponsorship of beautiful and well-organized settlements, The Prince’s Foundation has also long been engaged in enabling solutions to difficult urban situations. DPZ has been fortunate to participate in two such projects, both located in the Americas.

When an earthquake rocked Haiti in 2010, the Haitian government commissioned The Prince’s Foundation and DPZ to develop the Plan Centreville to reconstruct the historic city of Port-au-Prince with a better urban environment than existed prior to the devastating earthquake. The plan envisioned a rebuilt government center around the presidential palace and an array of civic buildings and formal spaces. A form-based code ensured that new buildings were designed with pedestrian-friendly frontages. A signature feature of the plan was a flexible block redevelopment strategy offering a range of options for each location that accommodated varying degrees of property owner collaboration and municipal infrastructure restoration.

To help address the dire needs of Rose Town, an inner-city neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica, The Prince’s Foundation lent its support to assist a community plagued by unemployment, political gang violence, and the demolition of Rose Town’s center. A DPZ charrette team engaged the community stakeholders to design new housing types, create a neighborhood master plan and generate proposals to knit together the then-disjointed urban environment. The intention was to blend a finer grain of new, one-story housing into the existing urban fabric and offer a stark contrast to the larger and socially isolating apartment block-style housing projects recently built in the area.

It is worth noting that the former Prince of Wales’ interests in the environment and how land is preserved, farmed, and built upon date well before such issues were in the mainstream conversation. Upon becoming the Prince of Wales in 1969, the then 20-yr old wrote a letter to the Prime Minister expressing concern for the decline in the salmon population in Scottish rivers. In 2011, Charles’ concerns for sustainable agriculture and local food production, and his interest in “improving people’s health, well-being and happiness” through the built environment, intersected. That year The Prince’s Foundation published Andres Duany’s Garden Cities: Theory & Practice of Agrarian Urbanism.

While the legacy of his work will no doubt be discussed throughout his reign, Charles’ support of past initiatives was expected to no longer be voiced publicly. However, early reports from the BBC indicate that at least on the subject of global warming he will not remain silent. Indeed, at the COP26 Global Climate Summit in Glasgow last year, he delivered a speech at the opening ceremony that stressed how the salvation of the planet depended on mutual collaboration by the world’s leaders. It is DPZ’s hope that his royal support of best urban development practices will also continue.

Upon Charles’ accession to the throne, several news outlets have touched upon his interests in the natural and built environment with mentions of the continued influence of DPZ and New Urbanism in the UK. The following links represent a sampling of the many articles:

• https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccu3C1mOA80/
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-09/king-charles-iii-was-once-a-prince-with-a-passion-for-urban-planning?cmpid=BBD090922_CITYLAB
• https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/people/tone-on-tuesday-141-king-charles-iii
• https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2022/09/12/new-urbanist-developer-king
• https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/people/tone-on-tuesday-141-king-charles-iii

The Next Generation of New Urbanism: DPZ Interns 2022

This Summer DPZ continued a long and cherished tradition of taking on eager and promising interns as part of the team. These outstanding designers from a variety of backgrounds came together with the common mission of shaping the future of New Urbanism. They are now back in school working to complete their degrees. Two of the four continue interning at DPZ Miami this fall. DPZ wanted to highlight and honor the efforts of all four individuals:

Jonathan Roberts (University of Notre Dame)

Jonathan is from Bryan, Ohio and is currently finishing his fifth year at the University of Notre Dame studying architecture with concentrations in furniture and sustainability. He has been interested in New Urbanism for some time now and is the president of the Students for New Urbanism club at his university.

At DPZ, Jonathan spent most of the summer working on the illustrations for a Montana resort and a vision plan for the main square in Downtown Bonita Springs. He found the experience to be informative and inspiring, providing him with creative input as well as the space to learn new graphic techniques, time management and office organization skills.

Morgan Bland (Andrews University)

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture this past year, Morgan is embarking on her Master’s journey at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Morgan is originally from Texas and grew up 30 minutes from the Kimbell Art Museum, resulting in a lifelong passion for art, architecture, and the forming of public spaces.

During her time with DPZ, she has strengthened her skills with the SketchUp and Adobe programs, focusing especially on rendering the landscaping in the Downtown Bonita Springs project that gave her a chance to explore her love of nature.

Erik Olliges (University of Miami)

Erik is a Swedish-american fourth year undergraduate student of architecture at the University of Miami. His interest and admiration for architecture lies in its ability to transform and transcend our environments. He ultimately hopes to use architecture to advocate for conscious-based consumption in a world that has grown comfortable and reliant on excessive consumption.

He has spent his internship at DPZ assisting with various projects and is currently implementing a digital fabrication for use in charettes and other projects. The ultimate goal is to create a more intuitive designer/client experience.

Soran Rostami (University of Miami)

Soran is currently finishing up his Master’s Degree in architecture at the University of Miami. He currently holds a bachelor’s Degree in architectural engineering. Soran is an accomplished artist who brings a sophisticated design sensibility to the projects he takes on.

Throughout the summer, Soran obtained invaluable practical experience in planning methods and strategies of architectural design and administration. He appreciated participating in DPZ’s open-minded and collaborative setting where he was able to fine-tune his skills and experience working on two resort projects in very different locations, one in Montana and another in the Bahamas.

Another related tradition returned at the end of the summer when Lizz resumed her “afternoon with the interns”. This year, she showed them around the Miami Design District, highlighting the features of the DPZ Master Plan and SAP Amendment that guided and enabled this urban redevelopment project. Other DPZ employees and partners joined the tour to experience the number of new buildings and environmental installations that have recently been added.

Downtown Naples, Florida: A 30-Year Story in Placemaking

DPZ has returned to Naples in 2022, nearly three decades after the charrette and code that transformed 5th Avenue South into a signature main street, the hub of a region, and a national destination. The assignment this past year was to address the Naples Design District, an eclectic, historic area in need of a clearer identity and a plan to help define it.

In 1993 the mission was to equip 5th Ave South with the tools to compete with the sprawling, commercial centers of US41. The charge for the Design District, also known as the 41-10 area, was to generate new ideas for the place to thrive, but without changing those qualities that already make it a beloved neighborhood.

Facilitating both efforts has been a rare and indispensable combination of supporters. Informed elected officials and city staff, complemented by an engaged business and resident community, has consistently contributed to a robust discussion.

Read more about the Naples Design District Master Plan effort here.

Creating the Place

Authentic, memorable places convey an understanding of what makes them special and worth visiting. 5th Avenue South offers a blend of retail, entertainment, and civic venues as well as residential structures. In turn, the Design District offers a quirky, art-infused and very broad mix of businesses, housing, and industrial uses.

The Design District also possesses a walkable urban fabric with east-west avenues wide enough for head-in parking and ample sidewalks. In between them is an untapped asset that some restaurateurs are already starting to explore: the district’s mid-block alleys that inspired the master plan’s Design Walk. This new pedestrian network weaves from alley to alley filled with exciting themes, open air dining, and event programming in a celebration of art, design, and the unique history of the neighborhood.

Connecting the district, 10th Street is the principal north-south spine and it too is a potential canvas for public art in the form of traffic-calming painted crosswalks, wall murals, and sculptural installations to draw passers-by into the Design Walk.

Enhancing the Walk

5th Avenue South’s most visible transformation came in the form of an exciting, rewarding pedestrian experience with a lively sequence of shopfronts and cafes made more welcoming with awnings, arcades, and landscaping.

Fortunately, the Design District already has a pedestrian-friendly scale where residents can access services and meet many daily needs within walking distance of their homes. The goal of the DPZ master plan is to make this walk safer, more interesting, and more comfortable. The new Design Walk and the refreshed 10th Street will solidify a greater sense of connectivity and character, and improve access to the 100+ businesses in the district.

Strengthening the Mix

Successful downtowns are almost by definition 24/7 environments that mix uses and balance the needs of daytime businesses, nighttime establishments, and the residents and visitors who will patronize both. The 5th Avenue South Master Plan accomplished this with multi-level living above the shops and cafes.

DPZ’s plan for the Design District aims to underscore this variety further. In a state that often sees gentrification erase affordability, this part of Naples’ Downtown features a notable inventory of affordable housing apartments sitting adjacent to recently built high-end condos, and the ever-appreciating single-family neighborhood to the north. The DPZ plan identifies strategies and incorporates backed research to maintain this mix and enrich the variety of housing options and building types.

Keeping it Local

Earlier this year The Wall Street Journal named Naples as the #1 ranked housing market in the US. The revenue and activity brought about by 5th Avenue South’s success as a draw for upscale tourists has been undeniably beneficial. However, the national appeal of 5th Ave has left local area residents craving a special area of their own.

The Design District can be that place for locals as long as there is support for the existing small scale and mix of eclectic small businesses. New infill needs to respect this and avoid large footprint structures. While the retail study identified the viability of national retailers and large format stores, this is not what the Master Plan recommends.

Reinforcing the Continuity

Understanding that the city-building process does not end with the drafting of a plan or the adoption of a code, the local leadership in Naples has grasped that good civic stewardship requires ongoing attention, assessment, and adjustment. Naples’ willingness to seek DPZ’s counsel over the decades has lent considerable continuity to the evolution of their downtown.

For 5th Avenue South, the creation of a Business Improvement District has provided an extra level of marketing and support to area merchants. The DPZ master plan recommends a similar BID entity for the Design District to assist the unique mix of retailers, restaurateurs, service providers, and other entrepreneurs.

Building Consensus

On June 9th, DPZ’s Design District Master Plan was unanimously accepted by the City of Naples CRA Board. It was in no small part a reflection of the strong community support for the project.

The process now moves into implementation with the writing of code language to enable the master plan. The result will hopefully be another great neighborhood in Naples, but one with a local focus and a commitment to inclusivity and creativity. The once-seasonal community is now a more year-round one, and it is increasingly a place for both the young and the young-at-heart.

Takeaways from the Builders’ Show with Andres Duany and NanaWall

Post-Pandemic Design with Andrés Duany, presented by NanaWall

Always interesting to listen to, Andrés Duany, celebrated architect and city planner, sits down with the folks at NanaWall to tell us what he sees as the future of post-pandemic housing. If you’re familiar with New Urbanist strictures and stylings, you’ll see much has changed. Always looking ahead, Duany sets a new direction for the movement.”

Read more

Defining The 15-minute City

Transect Urbanism: Readings in Human Ecology

• It is the definitive reference on the Rural-to-Urban Transect, a compilation of the most important essays, diagrams, and images on the subject.
• It provides historical, practical, and theoretical insights into one of the most effective urban planning methodologies developed in the 20th Century. The Transect is a unifying theory, serving as a framework for the various fields of urban design, and provides the basis for thousands of urban plans and zoning codes in cities around the world.
• The editors selected previously published essays and commissioned preeminent academics and professionals to write on the use of the Transect in their areas of expertise, including retail, zoning, thoroughfare design, environmental sustainability, and philosophy.
• It contains the most complete collection of Transect images ever published, with hundreds of photos, illustrations and diagrams.
• Transect Urbanism will serve as a primary reference source for academics, students, and practitioners interested in creating great places.

Outreach for A More Inclusive 21st Century

ENGAGING THE VIRTUAL & THE REAL

To say that the past six months have changed everything, is hardly an understatement. The way we live, work, play, communicate, and even the way we think have required major adjustments. Many of our daily activities have become virtual, remote, and/or guided by new safety protocols. Meanwhile, as many of us tuned in to get daily pandemic updates we witnessed a seemingly sudden, but long-time evolving and irrevocable social awakening. Those of us in the design profession should feel charged with imagining and planning for a new public reality that awaits us after this period of private seclusion, and we should be honing the tools we will use to get there.

THE GOOD NEWS

The good news is that this pandemic arrived at a time when technology was already in place to allow meaningful exchanges with clients, project stakeholders, and permitting authorities via video-conference, document sharing, and other online platforms. Inhabiting that 100% virtual world has required a mental shift by most, but it has taught us useful lessons for going forward.

ZOOM FATIGUE

Though we might be zoomed-out with laptop-fatigue by now, what we’ve learned is that the sharing of ideas on a small screen has certain advantages. While nothing replaces the energy and the immediacy of in-person meetings and charrettes, walking your audience through a sequence of images where you can point precisely to details and have anyone mark-up a drawing, post a comment, or engage in a sidebar chat, provides a more intimate and robust exchange than is often possible in an auditorium or a conference room. It also empowers individuals who might not otherwise step up to a microphone or raise their hand in a crowded room to pose a question. Whether having a face to face session with another colleague, attending a small class, or participating in a webinar with a hundred participants, video-conferencing is a tool that is here to stay.

THE DIGITAL DOWNSIDE/ UPSIDE

The downside to this tech-enhanced forum is that those of us on the wrong side of the digital divide are largely left out of the conversation. As we are reminded of the social and economic inequities affecting so many of our neighbors, those of us designing for the public realm need to not only be more inclusive about how we design our communities but also how we engage those more disenfranchised residents. In light of this many of our design narratives and the ways we produce and share ideas will need further re-calibration.

An upside of the pandemic is that it has spurred efforts by Internet Service Providers, local governments, and community organizations to step in to help poor families gain free or low-cost internet access and devices for virtual schooling and working from home. The expansion of digital outreach is helping to keep communities informed and connected at a time of social distancing.

CONNECTING = NEW PLATFORMS + TRADITIONAL OUTREACH

However, we cannot forget the effectiveness of older, more tactile tools like printed surveys, flyers and newsletters that can inform those not so inclined to connect online. We need to utilize simpler, more approachable resources when necessary to better engage the elderly, lower-income folks, racial/ ethnic minorities, and others too often excluded from the planning discourse.

As we work hard to adapt to new circumstances and renew our commitment to creating complete, connected and convivial places, we at DPZ remain devoted to confronting, sorting through and solving complex issues. Furthermore, in order to bring to life visions that are responsive and practical, we must listen more than ever to the actual needs of those whom we are serving. So, until the day we can safely return to interactive, in-person discussions we will hold virtual charrettes, schedule old-school phone conferences, distribute hardcopy documents, and employ any tool at our disposal to guarantee that our dedication to a dynamic, informative, and inclusive design process continues.

Communities Faring Well by Design

A global pandemic is the type of resiliency test we plan for, but hope never occurs. We are happy to report that amidst the current difficulties, our compact, walkable, mixed-use, and multigenerational communities are not only faring well but are proving to be a source of comfort to their residents as they shelter in place.

The bonds of community—largely forged in those physically interactive and convivial third places we temporarily need to avoid—have resulted in a human infrastructure of support, and neighbors helping neighbors that is particularly useful to those most vulnerable. While social gathering spaces like community centers, plazas, playgrounds, and cafes take a pause, a second, less glamorous tier of neighborhood features are gaining newfound appreciation in keeping residents connected while at a safe distance.

• Live-work units – a popular fixture in many of our neighborhood centers and pioneered by DPZ as far back as Seaside, have re-introduced Americans to creative ways to integrate, yet separate, work space with residential space. They are perfect for remote working during times when “stay-at-home” regulations are essential for curbing the spread of a virus.
• Alleys & Pedestrian Paths –are practical alternate routes for exercising alone or efficiently dropping off food at that elderly neighbor’s house.
• Accessory Dwelling Units or Granny Flats—are welcome physical-distancing assets to protect a vulnerable relative or for quarantining an essential worker in the family.
• Well-connected, shaded, pedestrian-friendly streets – are the ideal amenity to take much needed walks around the block and stroll with the baby and/or the pets. And when too many neighbors are out, the streets easily transform into more ample, shared-space promenades.
• Meaningful open space networks—the mindful assemblages of open space in the form of larger parks and nature preserves are ideal for residents to refresh and stay active at appropriate “social distances”. Kentlands’s lakes and woodland paths were deliberately woven into the greater trail and greenways network. Whether for a vigorous bike ride or a pleasant walk, residents have a regional recreational system to access.
• The front porch, an iconic staple of DPZ towns, makes for a great way to socialize and people-watch from afar – porch or Zoom happy hours, which would you prefer? 🤔

At DPZ’s Middleton Hills and The Kentlands, two exemplary, lifelong communities, we are hearing about countless acts of neighborly interaction during this difficult time.  Please read below to learn what some of our residents had to say about their experiences with each other and their surroundings:

MIDDLETON HILLS

Middleton Hills & COVID-19: Resident Testimonial | April 2020

A letter shared by Jane Grabowski-Miller, formerly with the development team at Erdman Holdings where she served as Town Architect, from a Middleton Hills resident:

“Hi Jane,

The onset of the Coronavirus has given rise to our even deeper appreciation of our neighborhood, and I want to share that with you. Over the ten years we have lived here, we have grown quite close with our “alley neighbors” and we socialize regularly. John and I are the oldest, hence the grandparents of the group. It was no surprise that we have had regular contact from these friends in recent weeks offering food, volunteering to pick up groceries, and just generally checking to be sure we are okay.

Although our primary contacts have been via the alley behind us, our house faces Erdman Boulevard, the neighborhood’s “Main Street,” and before our trees leaf out we enjoy a nice view of the wetland area from our living room. It is hard to look out now without seeing folks out strolling on Erdman or enjoying the new boardwalk near the water. The trees have matured and we now host many birds and waterfowl, including a pair of Sandhill Cranes that return each year. As in other places these days, there is an organized effort to collectively entertain the kids with virtual scavenger hunts and other creative ideas so lots of sidewalk chalk in use.

Not a day goes by when we don’t feel fortunate to live here. Even in the midst of a pandemic the neighborhood seems to have lived up to its potential in so many significant respects. I know you were an integral part of making it a reality and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.”

THE KENTLANDS

Kentlands & COVID-19: Resident Testimonials | April 2020

In response to a Homeowner Association survey about life during the lockdown, here are some highlights shared by Kentlands residents who had much to say:

Karen G.
“ My husband and I have lived here for 11 years… and there is no place I’d rather be during the Covid19 crisis. Our community is a wonderful mix of multiple generations… Every morning and afternoon we go for a long walk. We see families, young and old, riding bikes, skating, walking their dogs, admiring the beautiful landscape throughout the community. People have been very good about checking in on each other.

Our youngest son is a server at a family run community restaurant that cares about their employees. They actually have a group chat going to keep everyone from feeling isolated…I know that our community will get through this, it may take a while, but as bad as it is, we have the Kentlands.“

Carolina B.
“ Personally, I have always believed that living in the Kentlands is nothing but a positive thing …so easy to just walk next door to a store and grab any item without hesitation… this community has always made me feel spoiled – there is nothing that I cannot do within walking distance; including work- since the office where I work is also conveniently located in the Kentlands.”

Linda W.
“Last spring I moved from my townhouse to a condo …I was eager to stay within the community… I am so glad that I made this move…I cannot begin to tell you about the sense of community in my building.

I believe the spirit of the Kentlands/Lakelands communities, nurtured by the New Urbanism precepts, fosters a community spirit that is exemplified by what I have experienced here.”

Sally M.
“ Our son, his wife and our two grandchildren …out for a walk, … texted us to go to our door. We went out and stood six feet from them on our porch, with them on the sidewalk, and chatted for 15 minutes. We have done this regularly since social distancing was initiated.
Our neighbors invited us to a BYO gathering…on the Kentlands Green for wine, snacks, and conversation, at a six foot safe distance from each other…Many of our local restaurants…offer takeout with either curbside or free delivery…

Our beautiful chain of intersecting lake paths offers easy access to nature and respite from cabin fever…
So many of us know and care about each other and watch out for each other. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. So far, everything we need is nearby, and we know and help and are helped by our neighbors.”

Sheri B.
“Great opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate living in the Kentlands at this difficult time…I would never consider leaving.

What has been sustaining is the ability to walk around an area with so many varying views: the lakes, the streets with varied architecture, etc… am constantly delighted by the nooks and crannies of this area. I walk a different route each day and love the surprises I find!  The people here are wonderful!”

Luanne H.
“EVERY DAY we give thanks for living in Kentlands during this horrific time…we are so blessed and grateful to be living in the perfect neighborhood where we are very fortunate to be able to work from home.

And thank you for the wonderful design of this neighborhood!”

Tiny and Double Wide in Vegas?

We have two new and exciting prototypes for you to explore. Find us at IBS 2020 in Las Vegas now. Located at the Show Village (outdoor), stop by and experience our showcase and speak with Andrés Duany.

The Mid-Century Modern Home consists of two structures totaling about 1,650 square feet, with a flat roof profile that accommodates 10-foot ceilings. Sustainable elements include enhanced insulation and energy-efficient mechanical systems and appliances. Plenty of natural light streams through five sliding glass doors and three differently sized window types; four metal T-rails set on a gravel bed provide the foundation. Only minimal site work is required, including the installation of an optional deployable awning.

Tiny Home, an apt moniker for the 204-square-foot (24 feet by 8 ½ feet) unit, is constructed with high-grade plywood cut using a computer-controlled router and clad in corrugated metal. The home can be either placed on a wheeled platform or on a permanent foundation.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
As some of you know, the new partnership at DPZ CoDESIGN has challenged Andres to study the problem of affordable housing, an issue that is now dominating the public discussion of urbanism no less than does climate change. The current results of his research will be on display at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas (January 21-23) where two built versions of the three selected DPZ designs will be visitable.
While DPZ has long experience with designing subsidized affordable housing (the first such project was 35 years ago), this is not the concern now – but rather the free market supply of such housing. This initiative has involved research into all aspects of the situation-– the construction technique, the code hurdles, the financing, and the difficulties of cultural acceptance.

During the post-Katrina work , DPZ was involved in a $400 million Louisiana grant to study the savings of prefabrication. The conclusion was that the real promise was in completion of the dwelling at the factory with minimal site work. Experience showed that cost savings could not to be found in panelization or any other innovative construction technologies–but rather the low-tech/high-organization of the manufactured. There was opportunity only in the close reading of the codes for “tiny houses”, “park models”, and “mobile homes”.

These industries had resolved the problems of efficient fabrication, but not of cultural acceptance. One can buy an inexpensive mobile home at a factory, but it is almost impossible to get a new park approved in an urban area. Many people need such homes, but they don’t like what they imply.

Andres took on the problem of how to design a “house delivered on wheels” that is appealing even to those who might afford a site-built dwelling. These are several emerging market segments that need such dwellings, especially in communal arrangements: employed Millennials, retired singles, as well as empty nesters or more complex households of singles.

On view in Vegas will be two complete model homes: a “tiny house” at 204 sf, and a 3-bedroom 3.5-bath “Mid-Century Modern” at 1650 sf. These are two of a full set of models designed by DPZ to meet many market segments.

__________________

Professional Builder Magazine recently highlighted the progress being made:

‘Today, the housing affordability challenge has focused Duany’s attention on small-scale housing, specifically high-quality modular homes. He formed No Nonsense Housing Company to follow that path, with plans to build a factory to mass produce his designs. “Luxury homes are easy to do,” says the company’s project manager Fernando Pagés Ruiz. “We want to create appealing homes at lower costs.”

Planning for Adaptation [Podcast]

Listen to Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk on the Future of the American City podcast, interviewed by Charles Waldheim: Listen here.

Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is a pioneering urban planner, architect, and educator. She has been instrumental in developing the City of Miami’s form-based zoning code, Miami 21. Her recent work and teaching focuses on built environment adaptation to climate change.

About Future of the American City

An initiative of the Harvard Graduate School of Design that presents alternative futures and convenes conversations about how we live, where we live. Supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and generous donors to the American Cities Fund. Future of the American City is curated by the Office for Urbanization, with production by Aziz Barbar, Charlie Gaillard, Jeffrey S. Nesbit, and Mercedes Peralta.