Our Legacy

Urban Design Associates was founded in 1964 as an idea.

While cities have always been part of civilization, urban design as a stand-alone practice is relatively new. In the 1960s, while Urban Renewal programs had destroyed the American city, the UDA founders believed they were worth saving. They invented a practice around the proposition that we are all 'associates' in the design of urban environments.

This was a tall order. To restore and enliven our cities, the UDA team learned that it is essential to meaningfully engage with citizens, stakeholders, leadership, and institutions in a creative, dynamic planning process. This process is still alive today and crucial in the design of thoughtful, authentic, and resilient place-based environments for all.

Learn a little more about UDA:

founding of Urban Design associates
50 Years of affordable housing
Learning to Draw Places
Remembering David Lewis