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.
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
