Welcoming Elizabeth Abernethy, AICP, as Planner in Residence

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning is thrilled to welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Abernethy, AICP, as the department’s Planner in Residence faculty member. Liz brings 30+ years of public and private sector planning experience that will be invaluable to our students, courses, and programs. Most recently she served as Director of Planning & Development Services for the City of St. Petersburg, where she oversaw transformative initiatives in zoning reform, floodplain management, and community resilience for a city of 250,000+ residents. Her leadership on the award-winning StPete2050 vision plan and progressive land development regulations has earned statewide and national recognition.

Elizabeth’s career spans a wide array of urban challenges, from revitalizing downtown waterfronts and expanding affordable housing, to crafting policy around sea level rise and small business retention. She’s also been a strong advocate for innovation in planning, notably leading efforts on ADU expansion, missing middle housing, and the implementation of one of Florida’s most effective flood insurance discount programs. Her ability to navigate complex political, environmental, and technical planning issues makes her a standout practitioner-scholar.

Students will benefit not only from her deep professional expertise but also from her passion for mentorship and civic engagement. A UF alumna and former advisory council member, Liz has taught, published, and spoken widely on planning reform and community-centered development.

As Planner in Residence, Liz will teach URP 6061 Planning Administration and Ethics; oversee the MURP mentorship and fellowship programs; and create and foster community and institutional partnerships to benefit URP students and the department.