Rethinking Together

On May 21, 2020

How is the current COVID experience changing the future of architecture, planning and the environment? If you’ve got opinions on this, please share them at a webiner next week. It’s sponsored by the Citylab High School Foundation. Karen Walz is a featured speaker, along with Kourtny Garrett of Downtown Dallas, Inc. and Ross Conway of […]

Karen Walz joins the CityLab High School Foundation Advisory Council

On May 19, 2020

Karen is pleased to be joining the Advisory Council for the CityLab High School Foundation. As they explain, “This Council consists of thoughtful community leaders who advise and support CityLab High School Foundation. The Foundation supports CityLab, a DISD Choice high school introducing students to architecture, urban planning and environmental science through rigorous project-based curriculum. Using downtown Dallas […]

Lewisville receives national recognition!

On May 4, 2020

The American Planning Association’s annual conference this year couldn’t be held in Houston as planned. Instead, it became virtual, and so did the recognition of award-winning plans and projects. The City of Lewisville received the Gold Award for Implementation for the implementation of Lewisville 2025! It’s wonderful that Lewisville has received this recognition, and it’s […]

A New Plan for Anna

On April 15, 2020

Last night the City Council of Anna, Texas approved a contract for a consultant team to work with them on three important plans — an update to the Comprehensive Plan, a Downtown Master Plan, and a Park, Trails and Open Space Master Plan. The lead consulting firm on the team is Kimley-Horn, Inc. Strategic Community […]

2020 Great Places in Texas

On April 1, 2020

On March 31, 2020, the American Planning Association’s Texas Chapter announced this year’s winners of recognition as a Great Place in Texas. Building on the model of national APA’s program, this effort focuses on places in Texas that “exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value”. […]

The Black Swan of 2020 – COVID-19 Disruption

On March 26, 2020

Many years ago, I did a strategic planning workshop for a City Council that included a book discussion of “The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The book’s title comes from the belief Europeans once held that swans were always white – that is, until explorers went to Australia […]

Congratulations to the 2020 AICP Fellows!

On March 26, 2020

I was pleased to see the announcement of this year’s class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Induction as a Fellow is one of the highest honors a planner can receive. This year’s class has 53 members. The full list of new Fellows is now on the APA website. Of those, several […]

Regional Climate Change Workshop

On February 27, 2020

On February 26, 2020, a unique workshop was held at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) office in Arlington TX. The focus was on action underway and possible in the North Texas region to address the effects of climate change! The workshop was co-sponsored by NCTCOG’s Environment and Development Department and the Greater […]

Greater Dallas Planning Council’s 2019 Urban Design Awards

On December 11, 2019

The Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC)’s Urban Design reception took place on December 10, 2019. It was held in the historic Dallas High School, an amazing adaptive reuse of the building and now the home of Perkins + Will. A good crowd was on hand to recognize the award winners, congratulate the 2019 GDPC Board […]

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