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UF Faculty and Students Publish New Planning Theory for Accountable Human-AI Collaboration in Cities in the Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA)

Zhong-Ren Peng, professor in the UF Department of Urban and Regional Planning and director of the International Center for Adaptation Planning and Design (iAdapt), recently published the article “Symbiotic Planning Theory: The CORE Framework for Human-AI Cocreation in Urban Planning” in the Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA) alongside a team comprised of his current […]

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A group of people sits at a long conference table, facing a presentation screen displaying maps and charts. Notebooks, laptops, and cups are on the table, and the room has a professional, focused atmosphere.

UF Conference Advances Planning Across Research, Practice, and Education

UF Conference Advances Planning Across Research, Practice, and Education GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP) marked a major milestone with a successful two-day UF Planning Research & Practice Conference celebrating 50 years of excellence in planning research, practice, education, and community impact. Held March 27-28, 2026, the conference brought together

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Bridging Data and Design: How URP’s Zhaoxi Zhang Is Harnessing AI To Advance Healthier Cities

Bridging Data and Design: How URP’s Zhaoxi Zhang Is Harnessing AI To Advance Healthier Cities For Assistant Professor Zhaoxi Zhang, urban design goes far beyond maps and grids. As a self-described urban enthusiast, Zhang places her work at the intersection of the built environment, technology, and human wellbeing. Utilizing cutting-edge tools and data-driven analysis, she’s

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Meet Lauryn Ballard, Recipient of APA Florida’s 2026 Andre Anderson Minority Scholarship

Meet Lauryn Ballard, Recipient of APA Florida’s 2026 Andre Anderson Minority Scholarship Lauryn Ballard, a second-year MURP student, was recently named as the recipient of the 2026 Andre Anderson Minority Scholarship from the American Planning Association Florida Chapter. This highly selective scholarship is awarded each year to a graduate-level planning student from a minority group

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UF Urban and Regional Planning Advisory Council Elects New Chair and Welcomes New Members

UF Urban and Regional Planning Advisory Council Elects New Chair and Welcomes New Members Zachary Shrader, AICP The Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s Advisory Council has named Zachary Shrader, AICP, as its new Chair. An alumnus of the MURP online program and member of the Advisory Council since 2020, Shrader succeeds previous Chair Jarrell

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Planning by Example: A Conversation With Our Planner in Residence Elizabeth Abernethy

Planning by Example: A Conversation With Our Planner in Residence Elizabeth Abernethy Elizabeth “Liz” Abernethy first came to the University of Florida’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning back in 1990. Back then, things looked a little different. Earl Starnes, the department’s first director, had just stepped down one year earlier, and the program was

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A smiling man in business attire stands next to a scientific poster titled Planning Resilient Futures for Florida’s Heritage Sites at a conference. The poster features text, maps, charts, photos, and a QR code.

Hoping To Advance Affordable Housing in Florida, MURP Student Oluwasegun James Studies Sustainable Development

For Nigeria native Oluwasegun James, life is busy. The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning student is pursuing dual master’s degrees in urban and regional planning and integrated sustainable development, putting him on the path to improving affordable housing in Florida. Read the full article from UF News.

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Eight people stand in a row, smiling and holding awards, at the 2025 Annual Bartley Lecture event for the University of Florida. A large screen and wall with hexagonal designs are visible behind them.

Celebrating 50 Years of Florida Planning: Annual Bartley Lecture Reflects on the Past and Looks Ahead to the Future

Celebrating 50 Years of Florida Planning: Annual Bartley Lecture Reflects on the Past and Looks Ahead to the Future View the lecture recording. The University of Florida’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning recently hosted the 2025 Bartley Lecture, “Looking Back, Looking Forward: 50 Years of Florida Planning” at the Cade Museum in Gainesville. The

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UF Urban and Regional Planning Attends 2025 Florida APA Conference 

UF Urban and Regional Planning Attends 2025 Florida APA Conference In September, faculty and students from the University of Florida’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning traveled to Daytona Beach to attend the 2025 Florida APA Conference. This annual conference brings together planners from across the state to share research and innovations in the planning

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MURP Students Victoria Fountain and Edgar Medero Receive 2025 American Planning Association (APA) Foundation Diversity Scholarship

MURP Students Victoria Fountain and Edgar Medero Receive 2025 American Planning Association (APA) Foundation Diversity Scholarship Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning students Victoria Fountain and Edgar Medero are the latest recipients of the $5,000 APA Foundation Diversity Scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded to students who are dedicated to promoting the advancement of social equity

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