Uri Avin FAICP served as a Research Professor at the NCSG between 2012 and 2021. His work here included founding and directing the PALS program, teaching courses and studios in the Urban Planning Program, and conducting applied research for Federal, State and Regional agencies. He also brought the NCSG into consulting roles with various agencies in Maryland and across the nation on scenario design, land use planning, urban design, land use/transportation planning, economic analysis, housing and environmental issues. Uri routinely teamed with other public and private sector groups to add a research-informed, national perspective to local planning efforts. Over this time, he expanded and enhanced NCSG’s reputation and role as a valued consultant.
Uri’s 50 years of experience span both the public and private sectors. Prior to his appointment at UMD, Uri was the Practice Leader for Regional Growth Management with the large international infrastructure consulting firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), now WSP. Before that Uri was a Vice President with HNTB, a large, national, planning, architecture and engineering firm. Prior to its acquisition by HNTB in 2000, Uri was a principal with LDR International, a 50-person planning/urban design and landscape architecture firm with a national portfolio and reputation. During the decade of the 80s he served as a planning director or deputy director in three Maryland counties – Howard, Baltimore and Harford – where his innovative Smart Growth plans earned him national recognition. During the 70’s he worked as an urban designer/planner for various firms including RTKL in Baltimore. He has also testified as an expert witness in several States on planning and zoning issues.
Uri’s work has received 11 national and 23 state awards. In 1999, Uri was honored by selection as a Charter Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. His book chapters, articles and papers are widely cited and he is a regularly featured speaker at national conferences on scenario planning, Smart Growth and the land use/transportation connection. He served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Planning Association and the Fifth Edition of The Practice of Government Planning. He also served as a longtime member of the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Transportation and Land Development and served on the Technical Committee of AMPO.
Uri holds graduate degrees in architecture from the University of Cape Town and in urban design and city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. His current focus as an independent consultant is on regional scenario building, growth management and the land use/transportation/environment interface and on expert witness testimony.
