Urban Futures

Small Deserves More

Urban Futures supports small cities in identifying challenges, strengthening local capacity, and exploring future development opportunities. Through research, collaboration, and technical support, the program connects local governments, university researchers, and institutional partners to advance more resilient, informed, and place-based urban strategies

PROGRAM

SUPPORT

We create spaces for dialogue among small cities, researchers, and agencies to share challenges, exchange knowledge, and build long-term relationships

DESIGN

We provide access to research-based tools such as spatial analysis and city case studies to help cities understand local conditions and define future strategies

OUTREACH

We connect local governments with academic and institutional who can support planning, funding, and implementation opportunities

AREAS OF WORK

Urban Futures focuses on small cities experiencing different forms of transition, including:

Redevelopment and land-use challenges
Opportunity Zones development
Infrastructure and environmental resilience
Housing, mobility, and public space needs
Revitalization and community identity
Local capacity and planning resources

Our approach is to examine how small cities respond to growth, redevelopment pressures, infrastructure limitations, environmental risks, and changing economic conditions. Rather than applying a single one-solution-fits all model, Urban Futures works with each city’s specific context to understand its challenges, assets, and possible futures.

IMPACTS

For Local Governments: Urban Futures provides research support, spatial data, and planning resources that can help cities communicate needs, identify priorities, and pursue future opportunities.

For Communities: Urban Futures highlights local challenges and assets, supporting more informed conversations about growth, resilience, and development.

For Students and Researchers: Urban Futures creates an applied research environment where students and faculty engage directly with real urban issues affecting Florida’s small cities.

For Partners: Urban Futures creates a platform for collaboration between universities, municipalities, agencies, and funding or technical assistance organizations.

EDITIONS

Urban Futures is developed through annual editions that focus on specific communities, themes, and regional challenges. Each edition brings together participating cities, researchers, students, and partners through a structured process of analysis, dialogue, and capacity building.

2025

Participating Cities

Town of Micanopy

City of Crystal River

City of St. Pete Beach

City of Perry

2026

Participating Cities

City of St. Marks

City of Madison

City of White Springs

City of Willingston

City of Zephyrhills

City of Lake Helen

LEADS

A woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing a yellow patterned top and a necklace, smiles outdoors with green leaves and sunlight in the background.

Carla Brisotto

Design Lead, Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience; Assistant Professor, School of Architecture
c.brisotto@ufl.edu

A man in a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie stands in front of a concrete building, smiling slightly at the camera.

Jeff Carney

Director, Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience; Professor, School of Architecture
j.carney@ufl.edu

COLLABORATORS

Evelyn Calle, Research Assistant, School of Architecture

Jason von Meding, Communication Lead, Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience; Professor, Rinker School

Eban Bean, Associate Professor IFAS, Urban Water Resources Engineering

Ryan Klein, Assistant Professor IFAS, Arboriculture

Basil Iannone, Associate Professor IFAS, State Extension Specialist, Urban and Residential Landscape Ecology

Mike Volk, Research Associate Professor, Associate Director, Center for
Landscape Conservation Planning

Isabella Guttuso Browne, Urban and Recreational Green Infrastructure Coordinator, Center for Landscape Conservation Planning

Andrea Galinski, Education Lead, Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience; Assistant Professor, School of Landscape Architecture

Patricia Kio, Assistant Professor, Architecture and Sustainability and the Built Environment Program

Abhinav Alakshendra, Associate Professor and Director, Center for International Design and Planning

Hassan Azad, Assistant Professor Acoustic, School of Architecture

Stephen Bender, Instructional Associate Professor, Program Director, CityLab Orlando

Christian Calle, Assistant Scholar FIBER