Areas of Our Work

We help you fill the gaps in your projects by providing innovation, strategy and an equity mindset. The list below conveys just some examples of our experience and expertise. Contact us for more details and project examples. You can also learn more about our approach here.

Affordable Housing Models and Analysis – Research various housing policy models, and housing development approaches to support sustainable communities with smart growth AND anti-displacement strategies. Project Examples: Fairmount Indigo Network; Mattapan Mapping; Community Land Trust Network.

Ethnographic and Social Development-centered Planning, Policy and Urban Design Research - interdisciplinary research across urban planning, public policy and aspects of urban design research. Project Examples: Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan; SW Fresno Brownfields Plan.

Creative Placemaking - Implementing artistic designs and public art beyond murals. We do projects directly and provide technical assistance. What sets us apart from other agencies is that we work deeply with residents to develop the designs and execute the project installations. Project Examples: Blue Bikes/Lyft Campaign; Chelsea Square Activation; Mattapan Open Streets/Open Studios; Southside Chicago School Mural 

Creative Community Engagement – utilizing digital and analog methodology and media arts for collective deep input, culturally responsive and fair decision-making participation from stakeholders. Our engagement strategies lean on ADA accessibility, interactivity, diversity, play, experimentation and ideation to improve public participation in civic activity for the long run. We organize anything from charrettes, interactive games, arts activities and more to enhance your public involvement goals. Project Examples: SW Fresno Brownfields Plan; Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan; Blue Bikes/Lyft Campaign; GoBoston2030; Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative

Economic Development Strategies – for commercial districts, retail storefront and business improvement strategies, programs and capital attainment for small business owners, culturally responsive marketing and outreach strategies with a special expertise in the immigrant owned businesses. Project Examples: Local Rapid response Program; Fairmount Business Attraction and Retention; Engaging Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners Forum

Technical and Transportation Planning – multimodal transit design initiatives and partnerships with public transit agencies for equitable access to public transit; advising on public engagement. Project Examples: Bus Rapid Transit Scenario Planning; MBTA Bus 2.0; Virginia Transit Equity and Modernization Plan

Project Design, Facilitation and Implementation - Vision and strategy to execute a project creatively, and leading the design of the process as well as facilitating planning meetings, public events, etc. Project Examples: Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan; Virgina Transit Modernization and Equity Plan; SW Fresno Brownfields; Bus Rapid Transit Scenario Planning; GoBoston2030. 

Racial Equity Training - We provide racial justice and equity training with a lean on urban planning and policy. This also involves conducting research on an agency to understand their equity awareness and organizational culture, and technical assistance (i.e. coaching staff on how to improve racial equity in their workplaces). Project Examples: Arlington Racial Justice Learning; Maryland Transit Racial Equity Assessment; Young Professionals in Transportation Equity Learning Series; Graffito SP

Educational Tools, One-off Workshops, Webinars, Talks, and thought leadership events - We organize educational talks and webinars in-house, as well have created guidebooks and toolkits. Inquire with us for samples.

User Experience and Content Strategy – Building on our cultural intelligence and public engagement skills, we often are asked to provide input on digital and analog tools such a messaging strategy and website layout so that the visual products and collateral that a client creates is engaging to a wide audience and easier to navigate. Project Examples: City of Boston Blue Hill Avenue Website; Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan; Network of Arts Administrators of Color; Arlington Racial Justice Learning Initiative