Regional + City Planning students Logan Gray and Emily Pendergrast recently published op-eds regarding planning issues within Norman and across the state of Oklahoma. The students developed the articles as part of Dr. C. Aujean Lee’s course, “Planning with Diverse Communities.”
Gray’s op-ed, “Letter to the Editor: Dockless e-scooters create accessibility challenges,” was published in The Norman Transcript. In the article, he discusses accessibility issues with dockless e-scooters, which were first introduced to Norman in 2018. These e-scooters are often left in the middle of sidewalks and public walkways, blocking people with physical disabilities from maneuvering through the area. According to Gray, companies like Veo and Bird are at fault for their lack of regulation and compliance with local laws.
Pendergrast’s op-ed, “Affordable housing requires a mindset shift to meet the needs of Oklahomans,” was published in The Oklahoman, and highlights issues with single-family zoning laws. In the article, she explains how revising single-family zoning restrictions to allow for more alternative housing arrangements could benefit low-income families. According to Pendergrast, the availability of family-size apartments and mixed housing would create more affordable housing options and a stronger sense of community.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
