Planning and Urban Design
Our planners and urban designers provide useful, practical, implementation-focused planning services that offer a platform for real change. Our plans are realistic, bold, and stand the test of time.
Urban Design
Great places derive their success from the synergies of thoughtful urban design, first-rate infrastructure, and excellent mobility. Our urban designers are dually trained architects and city planners who scrutinize long-standing planning frameworks and strive to reform outdated policies.
We assist cities in achieving a balanced public realm by encouraging pedestrian-first, compact, infill development within their urban cores. At every level, we emphasize the importance of rigorous analysis in successful problem-solving, demonstrating that accurately defining the problem is essential for effective solutions.
Comprehensive Planning
Land use and zoning are the foundations of planning. We understand that policies must be flexible in key areas to incentivize development that meets varying needs in an ever-changing market. We work closely with our clients and their communities to comprehensively examine regulations and develop strategies for creating balanced communities.
Our goal is to enhance social, environmental, and economic opportunities for residents, employees, and visitors while protecting sensitive areas.
Climate Resilience
Building resilience to the increased threats of wildfire, drought, sea level rise, and flooding is a core priority at Dudek. We offer a comprehensive suite of climate services, including climate action and sustainability planning, vulnerability and hazard evaluations, climate resilience planning, and more. Supported by our in-house team of biologists, urban foresters, wildfire protection planners, water resource and air quality experts, and coastal planners and engineers, we are equipped to tackle the complex challenges that communities face.
We recognize that the most vulnerable among us are often the least resilient to climate change. Our climate resilience, adaptation, and environmental justice experts are dedicated to identifying areas of historical and structural injustice and developing meaningful solutions to create safe, equitable, and climate-resilient communities.
Coastal Planning
Effective coastal planning is essential in a world where the effects of climate change challenge the resilience of coastal communities. As former public agency staff, our experts intimately understand coastal laws and policies and can navigate complex issues. Our approach integrates in-depth knowledge, a broad understanding of coastal processes, and the ability to engage with diverse viewpoints while navigating tradeoffs to successfully complete projects.
We are experienced in sea level rise management, geologic and other hazards, permitting, planning, and policy guidance, supporting your efforts in protecting coastal resources and building resilience. Our established relationships with coastal agency staff and familiarity with best practices enable us to anticipate issues and reach compromises that achieve local goals while honoring agency authority.
Regional Water Resilience
Achieving regional watershed resilience requires a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach that assesses and models hydrological changes and uncertainties while also considering the response capabilities of governmental systems and local communities.
With 20 years of experience in statewide regional water management planning, our team has built the necessary relationships, skills, and expertise to support diverse projects, regardless of environmental, social, or governmental complexities. We deliver technically sound and responsive policies, plans, and projects that position communities, public agencies, and watersheds to create water supply resilience and adapt to a changing climate.
Community Engagement and Education
Communication, engagement, and local understanding are foundational to successful planning and urban design endeavors. Our engagement approach is tailored to the unique needs of the communities in which we work. We support you by identifying specific areas where outreach and engagement are critical for meeting objectives.
Our planning experts are skilled in engaging with local community members and agency officials, and, when appropriate, we partner with community-based organizations to define the goals, methods, and trajectory of outreach and education. By utilizing a wide range of innovative tools, we “meet people where they are” and ensure there are no conversations “about us, without us” so that communities can thrive alongside project outcomes.
Grant Writing and Administration
Grant writing and administration are integral to executing successful funding infrastructure and programs for regional planning efforts. We support communities and municipalities by identifying grant opportunities and strategies, working collaboratively to scope competitive projects, and developing technically competent applications.
We are well-versed in state and federal funding opportunities and work proactively with jurisdictions to capitalize on unexpected grant opportunities. Once funding is awarded, we help manage your grant to implement and administer successful outcomes responsibly.
What We Do
- Urban Design
- Comprehensive Planning
- Climate Resilience Planning
- Coastal Planning
- Regional Water Resilience Planning
- Community Engagement and Education
- Funding Strategies and Grant Writing
- Grant Writing and Administration
PLANS
- Active Transportation Plans
- Coastal Plans
- Climate Action Plans
- Climate Resilience and Adaptation Community Plans
- Complete Streets Plans
- Corridor/TOD/Station Area Plans
- Design Guidelines
- General Plans
- Hazard Mitigation Plans
- Integrated Regional Water Management Plans
- Master Plans
- Needs Assessments and Parks Master Plans
- Resource Management Plans
- Site Feasibility Studies
- Specific Plans
Curious how our passionate experts can help you DU more®? Get in touch!