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 faculty Ken Marold[PA1.1] and Bryan Bloom were recognized at the 2026 ACSA Architectural Education Awards during the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) 114th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, held March 26–28, 2026.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Dr. Suchismita (Suchi) Bhattacharjee, Associate Dean of Academics and College Administration and Associate Professor of Interior Design, has received the campus-wide Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring of Graduate Students.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to announce that Dr. Wanda Katja Liebermann, associate professor of Architecture, has been awarded the University of Oklahoma Vice President for Research and Partnerships Award for Excellence in Research, Design, and Creative Expression in the Humanities and Fine Arts for her scholarly monograph, Architecture’s Disability Problem.
