Community Practice

Over the past 15 years I have worked with numerous non-profit organizations, municipal agencies, and grass roots groups on a wide range of urban issues--including affordable housing, historic preservation, tenant advocacy, public space access, community planning, and labor and immigrant rights. My contribution usually takes the form of research expertise applied to specific problems of practice and engagement. Additionally, I use the 'urban tour' as a form of practice. I frequently give tours for organizations and visiting university groups, with an emphasis on the sensitive inquiry into and engagement with urban spaces and places.

Tour leader. "Learning from Roosevelt Avenue: Hyperdiversity and the Urban Future." Educational outing with stops to meet civic groups. Convened for: London School of Economics, University of Vienna, University of Thessaly, Vassar College, Princeton.

5pointz Graffiti: Evaluating the Quality of the 5Pointz Graffiti Murals under the Visual Artists Rights Act, Amicus Brief Filed for the U.S. District Court, 20 July 2015.

Tour leader. Municipal Arts Society, 2012-2013. Developed and led three distinct tours through sections of Queens: "Queensbridge: America’s Largest Public Housing Community"; Jackson Heights, Garden City"; and "Below the 7 Train: The World in New York City."

Building Typology Performance Study. New York site supervisor for national study undertaken by the Preservation Green Lab and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, September 2011 - May 2012.

Board service. Center for Urban Pedagogy. Served on Board of Directors, 2009-2012.

Consulting. Municipal Arts Society, 2012-2013. Provided input and research on early stages of the Brownsville revitalization project, with focus on role MAS could play in partnership.

Consulting. Arts + Democracy Project. Provided input and research on early stages of project on Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts, 2010-2011.

"New Orleans: Disaster, Recovery, and Public Policy." Education partnership with the Urban Conservancy. Funded by the Higdon Family Foundation. 2007-2009. Supervisor.

"Mill Creek Valley: Hidden Histories." Booklet of photographs, maps, archival documents, and bibliography prepared for the Urban League of St. Louis, Mill Creek Valley Historical Marker, 2005.

"Rebuilding Bohemian Hill." Site analysis, community charrette, and architectural program proposal for 16 affordable housing units in South St. Louis. With Solana Rice. October-December 2006.

"Infill Housing: A Proposal for Soulard." Report produced for the Landmarks Association, Youth Education and Health, Inc., and the City of St. Louis Urban Design Agency. August 2006. Author.

Board service. Landmarks Association of St. Louis, 2004-2007. Served on the Historic Schools Adaptive Reuse Committee and as Liaison with the city's Urban Design office.

"Historic Preservation, Urban Design, and the City of St. Louis Land Use Plan." Evaluation and report on the plan undertaken for the Landmarks Association. December 2004. Author.

Board service. Red Brick Community Land Trust, St. Louis, 2002-2007. Vice-President and Chair of Development Committee. Gave numerous presentations to community groups and city officials on the Community Land Trust as a tool for housing affordability.