Timeline

2017: Mid-Year Review

A look at what we’ve been up to…

In the final months of 2016 and first quarter of 2017, the Douglas C. Allen Institute gained an incredible amount of support : over $40,000 from 60 different firms, organizations, and individuals has been raised during that period alone. With that funding, DCAI has expanded its staff to hire Candler Vinson as Communications Director. Candler is a graduate of Emory University and an accomplished non-profit professional, with experience at the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Environment Georgia, and currently as the Program Manager for CNU Atlanta. He is also a practiced writer and editor, having written for Creative Loafing Atlanta and The Urban Times, as well as his own blog, The Suburban City.

In December, Executive Director Paul Knight gave his second Streets lecture at the Atlanta City Studio to a crowd of nearly fifty attendees, in addition to giving a modified version of that lecture at Jacobs as part of the “Jacobs Future” lecture series.

In February, we released the first History of Urban Form video was released which currently has over nine hundred views. This 45 minute presentation features Doug’s audio with updated graphics and animations. Work is already underway on the second lecture.

In March, we executed an agreement with the University of Georgia’s School of Landscape Architecture establishing the Doug Allen and Kappa Sig Scholarship. This is due in large part to the effort of DCAI board member Bill Haley. More details will be forthcoming.

And in May, we are excited to announce a collaboration with the Georgia Design Alliance Partnership to archive Doug Allen’s body of work. Details can be found in Otium Issue 02.

We can only do all of this with your generous support. We are seeking like-minded designers, writers, and media-makers to join in this effort, and funders to make it all possible. Please contribute today by mail or online. And remember we are a 501(c)(3) organization, so you can take full advantage of the tax deduction.

2016 :Year in Review

We have been busy here at the Doug Allen Institute. Following is a brief update on what we’ve been up to, what we have planned, and how you can get involved.

In April, David Green and Paul Knight spoke at the American Planning Association’s National Conference in Phoenix, where we promoted our core mission and discussed how to build better cities. About 200 people stayed for the whole hour. One attendee said it was “revelatory”, and another said it was “the best presentation I have ever seen at a conference.” To find out if you agree with them, you can view the presentation here—it’s at APA’s website.

In July, we moved into a new home. The Georgia Conservancy has kindly shared a portion of their office with us.

In August, with the help of planning consultant Terri Theisen we established a strong strategic plan to guide our future efforts. Additionally, our board members Bill Haley and Bruce Rado initiated the process of establishing a student scholarship at the College of Environment and Design at the University of Georgia.

In October, we presented the annual Douglas C. Allen Lecture Series at Georgia Tech, featuring Kate Orff, Founding Partner of SCAPE, and Associate Professor & Director of Urban Design, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

In November, we presented a lecture about streets and their roles in our cities to a standing room only crowd at the Atlanta City Design Studio at Ponce City Market. This free seminar focused on the history of streets, their importance, and their regulations.

And in 2017, there will be much more. We will begin making Doug Allen’s History of Urban Forum lecture videos available for viewing–for those who didn’t know these existed, surprise! Once we register these as online courses, they will help you fulfill those continuing education requirements for those acronyms after your name. Places Journal will be publishing an article in honor of Doug Allen. Research opportunities will be available to students. We will continue to work with the Georgia Conservancy and the Atlanta City Studio to bring you some of our top-quality presentations in the flesh. And we are working to establish the Doug Allen Archive and the History of Urban Form Library.

We can only do all of this with your generous support. We are seeking like-minded designers, writers, and media-makers to join in this effort, and funders to make it all possible. Please consider making a donation and remember we are a 501(c)(3) organization, so you can take full advantage of the tax deduction.