Dr. Laura Dedenbach, Ph.D, AICP, Named UF URP Chair 

Dr. Laura Dedenbach, Ph.D., AICP, has been named Chair of the University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning, effective July 1, 2026. She will also serve as Associate Director of the UF School of Landscape Architecture and Planning (SLA&P), which houses both Urban and Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture.

“Serving as chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the associate director of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning is an honor,” said Dedenbach. “I look forward to working with our wonderful staff, students, and faculty in this new role. My vision is one of leadership in transformative education, innovative and engaged scholarship, and collaboration across disciplines to address complex urban and environmental challenges with integrity, excellence, and stewardship.”

Dr. Dedenbach joined URP faculty in 2019 after completing both her Ph.D. and MURP degrees with the department. She has served as an instructional assistant professor and currently serves as interim chair and interim associate director of SLA&P.

In addition to her extensive research and work with the department, she has served as a planning director and planning consultant, specializing in comprehensive planning, policy and development planning, and small town and rural planning.