Urban Planning

Developing tailored, context-specific plans that reflect the uniqueness of the community.

Every community/client deserves to have a plan that is as unique and dynamic as its people. From small-scale developers to regional public entities and local governments, we work alongside our clients to deliver cohesive, results-driven plans that are supported by a vision—shaped by stakeholders—and equipped with a framework for implementation.

Our plan-making expertise has been applied at multiple contexts, including:

  • Site Planning

  • Facility Needs Assessments

  • Downtown Revitalization Planning 

  • Master Planning

  • Corridor Planning

  • Comprehensive Planning

Illustration of an urban park with pathways, numerous trees, and surrounding buildings, overlaid on an aerial photograph of the area.

Urban Design

Urban design is about buildings in context and fostering community with every move. Or put another way, urban design is where architecture and urban planning meet. Our goal is to create a unified, cohesive plan that stitches together the public and private realm and creates places that people can enjoy. We bring in a sensitive design approach that considers the scale of the surroundings, the needs of residents, workers, and visitors who interact with the area, potential for phasing, and flexibility for the future.

Our urban design services include: 

  • Façade and Storefront Improvement

  • Neighborhood & Site Design

A small downtown area with brick and stone buildings, parked cars, a flagpole with the American flag, street lamps, trees, benches, and a fountain in the center, under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic Preservation/Rehabilitation Consulting

Taking lessons from the past to enhance the future.

We see ourselves as stewards of historic resources, working alongside building owners, developers, public entities, and advocates to see time-tested buildings rehabilitated for new, timely uses. 

In addition to our Historic Tax Credit Consulting work, our services include: 

  • Determining Eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places

  • Historic Preservation Design Guidelines

  • Historic Resource Surveys

  • Historic Structure Reports 

A top-down map of an urban area with buildings in orange and purple, and some light green buildings, overlaid with geometric shapes and patterns.

Placemaking

From concept plans to business expansions, our placemaking expertise spans across multiple project phases.  Our team of architects, designers, and planners understands that economically vibrant places are those where a variety of people—workers, visitors, residents—are invited to linger and enjoy the features that make for one-of-a-kind places.

Our placemaking services include:

  • Site-specific design of amenities/structures

  • District-level placemaking plans

Rendering of a downtown commercial street with brick buildings, sidewalk seating, trees, and people walking, biking, and sitting outdoors.

Community Engagement

The best plans are formed and implemented by people who understand the needs and opportunities within their community. We draw on years of people-first urban design and advocacy to deliver unique, interactive engagement approaches that are tailored to the community at hand.  We work with stakeholders, residents, and elected officials to gather meaningful input that results in a more authentic, inclusive, and sustainable plan.

Our community engagement services include:

  • Stakeholder identification

  • Strategic planning and visioning workshop design

  • Outreach strategies

  • Program and event campaigns