About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Urban Design Studio (UDS) is to raise the community’s awareness of better design practices for our built environment with a focus on moving our city and region towards a vibrant, healthier, and resilient future for all.In August of 2022, the UDS became part of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at the University of Louisville. With this move, the UDS will continue much of the work it has done over the past two decades, with an additional dimension of exploring the connection between the design and function of the built environment and impacts on human health. Through strategic research partnerships within UofL and outside partners, we will work to identify issues with the built environment and explore ways to make measurable improvements.

Additionally, through design charrette facilitation, workshops, meetings, classes and general outreach to the community, the UDS offers a central location to discuss issues in the community and work in a collaborative environment to come up with creative solutions for the betterment of all. The UDS serves as a classroom, meeting point, resource base, and exhibition space. Professors and practitioners cultivate various research endeavors throughout the year and periodically join forces on special issues. Reaching out to broader audiences, the UDS also serves as a gallery space for exhibits of art, design, and urban planning-related works.