Business Details
46 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Urban Planning Solutions
DPZ CoDesign has been a leader in planning and urban design for over 30 years, pioneering the principles of New Urbanism. Founded by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, the firm advocates for mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented communities that address modern challenges like climate change and suburban sprawl. Our methodology emphasizes the charrette process, a collaborative design approach that integrates stakeholder feedback to create cohesive, sustainable communities. With a global reach and a team of experienced professionals, we deliver innovative solutions ranging from regional plans to form-based zoning codes.Our work has influenced municipal ordinances nationwide and shaped sustainability standards through initiatives like the SmartCode and Sprawl Repair Manual. We combine architectural expertise with regulatory innovation to ensure projects align with both aesthetic and functional goals. Our alumni network continues to advance these principles globally, reinforcing our commitment to creating resilient, walkable environments that foster social and economic vitality.
Services
Urban Planning
Code Writing
Architectural Design
Sprawl Repair
Smart Codes
Agrarian Urbanism
Light Imprint
Secure Settlements
The Lexicon
Regional Plans
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We pioneered the New Urbanism movement and co-founded the Congress for New Urbanism.
- Our charrette process ensures collaborative, efficient design solutions tailored to client needs.
- We develop form-based codes adopted by municipalities nationwide to combat suburban sprawl.
- Our team includes certified professionals with international experience in sustainable urbanism.
- We integrate agricultural urbanism and light imprint strategies for climate-resilient planning.
Services
Urban Planning
We create comprehensive urban plans spanning regional strategies to neighborhood revitalization. Our work integrates mixed-use development, transit-oriented design, and climate adaptation principles. Projects range from new towns like Seaside to regional plans addressing growth and sustainability.
Code Writing
We develop form-based zoning codes like the SmartCode to replace conventional sprawl-inducing regulations. Our codes ensure walkable, mixed-use communities through transect-based standards that balance urban form and local character.
Sprawl Repair
Our Sprawl Repair Manual provides strategies to transform automobile-dependent suburbs into vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Techniques include retrofitting shopping centers, office parks, and dead malls into mixed-use hubs with improved public spaces.
Agrarian Urbanism
We design communities that integrate food production across the urban-rural transect. This approach promotes local agriculture through community gardens, urban farms, and policies that support food security and reduced transportation impacts.
Charrette Process
Our charrette methodology facilitates rapid, collaborative design through iterative feedback sessions. This intensive, week-long process engages stakeholders to align visions, resolve conflicts, and accelerate project approvals while maintaining design integrity.
People
Andres Duany
Founding Partner
Architect and urban designer with over 30 years of experience. Co-founder of the Congress for New Urbanism and author of Suburban Nation. Pioneered the Traditional Neighborhood Development zoning model and SmartCode.
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
Founding Partner
Urban designer and planner with expertise in municipal zoning codes and regional plans. Dean emerita at the University of Miami School of Architecture. Co-author of The New Civic Art and Suburban Nation.
Galina Tachieva
Managing Partner
Urban planner specializing in sprawl repair and form-based codes. Author of the Sprawl Repair Manual. Leads CNU's Sprawl Retrofit Initiative and has directed projects across four continents with expertise in sustainable urbanism.
Matthew Lambert
Partner
Architect and urban designer with over a decade of experience in regional plans and disaster recovery. Manages DPZ's IT systems and contributes to the evolution of the SmartCode. Active in CNU Next-Gen initiatives.
Chris Ritter
Senior Designer
Architectural and urban designer known for hand-drawn three-dimensional illustrations that guide master planning. Creates detailed aerial renderings that test urban character against geographic and cultural contexts.
Questions
What is DPZ CoDesign's primary area of expertise?
We specialize in urban planning, architectural design, and form-based zoning codes rooted in New Urbanism principles.
How long has DPZ CoDesign been in business?
We were founded in 1980 and have over four decades of experience in sustainable community design.
What is the charrette process?
Our charrette is an intensive design workshop that integrates stakeholder feedback through iterative proposals to accelerate project development.
Do you work internationally?
Yes, our projects span North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia with localized urbanism solutions.
What is New Urbanism?
New Urbanism promotes walkable, mixed-use communities with diverse housing options, sustainable infrastructure, and human-scaled design principles.
What are form-based codes?
Form-based codes prioritize physical form and urban character over segregated land uses, guiding development through visual standards.
