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 more than 120 attendees including students, alumni, faculty, practitioners, and community leaders to exchange ideas surrounding planning challenges and solutions. Attendees represented a variety of professional fields from across Florida, the U.S., and international locations. The event honored the department’s history while highlighting its focus on a future of collaboration, impact, and excellence.
“The quality and range of research on display reflected how dynamic and relevant planning has become – within our own field and to allied fields that influence health, mobility, wellbeing, and resilience.”
The conference centered around six themes, each reflecting the breadth and urgency of the challenges facing communities today:
- Climate resilience
- Healthcare and aging populations
- Emerging technologies
- Workforce education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- The evolving identity of the profession
Each session brought together thought leaders in their respective fields to lend their expertise and discuss how planners can help communities prepare for a dynamic future. Together, these themes brought together interdisciplinary ideas to offer a comprehensive view of where the field stands and where it is headed.
Keynote speaker Mitchell Silver, FAICP, Hon. ASLA – a nationally recognized planner and former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation – set the tone of the conference on Day 1 with his address on ‘Planning with Purpose.’ The address outlined the pillars for leading with purpose and examined the ability of planners to act as stewards of community with people as the priority. Speaker sessions on the first day of the conference explored preparing for a changing climate, the role of planners in the healthcare sector, and the power of innovative tools and technologies to advance planning and education. Day 1 concluded with a tour of the new Ramos Collaboratory, giving attendees an inside look at the brand-new facilities available at the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning.
Student participation was a defining strength of the conference. The student research poster competition drew participants from a variety of UF disciplines as well as other universities across the Southeast. Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students also had dedicated conference sessions to present and discuss their research with attendees. Most importantly, the conference put students in direct conversation with the leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners shaping solutions to planning issues. This gave students the opportunity to see first-hand how research, policy, and service can come together to address the growing challenges communities face.
The conference was the largest event ever hosted by the department, and its success reflects not only the strength of the UF URP community, but also its commitment to creating high impact experiences for students, alumni, and global partners.
“This conference demonstrated the power of bringing together multiple disciplines to advance planning as a field. It showcased the Department’s continued commitment to producing leaders in research, practice, and education.”
The conference was co-directed by URP faculty Abhinav Alakshendra, Kyle Dost, and Ruth Steiner. It was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including CTS Engineering, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, The Corradino Group, CDM Smith, and Pioneer Medical Foundation, along with several UF research centers and units. This conference would not have been possible without the specific support of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, which houses both the Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning departments.
As the Department of Urban and Regional Planning enters its next chapter, the success of this conference stands as a reminder that research, teaching, and service remain at the heart of the profession. The conference did more than celebrate a milestone. It reaffirmed the department’s investment in the next generation of planners, cutting-edge researchers, and vibrant, connected communities.
“As a graduate planning student, I found the UF Planning Research & Practice Conference to be incredibly rewarding. I was able to connect with experienced practitioners, presented my academic research, and applied my leadership skills to ensure the success of the event. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend and support this influential event!”
Learn more about the UF Planning Research & Practice Conference.
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Media Contact: Ryan Helterhoff | ryanhelterhoff@ufl.edu