The Urban Design Studio at OU-Tulsa recently celebrated 30 years of building leaders and creating communities. Since 1988, the Urban Design Studio has been a flexible learning environment that brings students from different backgrounds, disciplines, and skills together to explore urban issues and develop design solutions.
The two-year Master of Urban Design program integrates aspects of architecture, city planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture, and real estate development. The program’s mission is to train urban design professionals through graduate programs in urban design and real estate, to advance understanding of the city through research and creative activity, and to engage in community projects benefiting Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma.
Each year, students in the program collaborate with members of the community to work on a project that helps an area in need of development and/or beautification. The past two years’ projects have helped bring world-renowned art to the Tulsa area. For last year’s project students collaborated with artists Patrick and Sam Dougherty. This year, Urban Design Studio students collaborated on a public art project titled ‘Be the One’ for Chapman Green Park in downtown Tulsa.
OU-Tulsa’s Urban Design Studio through the College of Architecture is one of the only of its kind in the state of Oklahoma. The current director is Shawn Schaefer, who builds on the Studio’s legacy of positive community engagement and academic excellence.
Congratulations on 30 years! For more information on the Urban Design Studio at OU-Tulsa, visit our website.
On April 24, 2026, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted its annual Graduate Student Showcase, a celebration of research, design innovation, and creative exploration across all graduate programs within the College.
The Gibbs College of Architecture celebrates fifth-year architecture student Haley Praytor, who has been recognized at the national level for her design work. In early March, Haley received a Graduate Division Award of Merit for her submission to the 2025 Metal Building Manufacturers Association student design competition.
Ronald Frantz Jr., emeritus professor, has been named a 2026 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient, the highest honor presented by Main Street America. The award was announced at the Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, recognizing leaders who advance preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
