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We provide a variety of services intended to support communities throughout the urban planning process.

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Urban Planning Technical Assistance + Consulting

Zoning Due Diligence + Consultation

Public
Speaking

Placekeeping
Activations

From general urban planning technical assistance to neighborhood organizations and community organizations to zoning due diligence to curating place-based temporary-to-permanent projects with communities.

 

Our intention is to focus in areas that are often overlooked and under-resourced in Black communities and other communities of color; especially as it relates to understanding urban planning policies. We can't wait to work with you/your community! 

Public Speaking

Curating a new conversation around urban planning, community engagement, and everything in between! We navigate the public speaking arena a little differently when it comes to curating conversations around urban planning, urban design, and the impact on communities of color. In every environment we're invited into we aim to keep the dialogue casual, interactive, transparent, and genuine as possible when it comes to being respectful wherever we go. If you're interested in having Desiree' speak at your event, conference, webinar/seminar, etc. please click the link!

 

Here are some of the organizations, communities, schools and universities I've had the privelege to speak at!

  • Missouri State Geography + Urban Planning Dept.

  • CityLab High School

  • Rutgers University

  • University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) - College of Architecture, Planning and Public Administration (CAPPA)

  • APA California Central Section

  • APAS Colorado

  • National Conference of Regions

  • ​Water Block Kids

  • University of North Texas (UNT) - Anthropology Dept.

  • Paul Quinn x EarthX Environmental Justice Symposium

  • Black Policy Lab

  • APA Texas Chapter

  • co:census

  • GW SUPSO

  • NYU Landscape Architecture program

  • Jacksonville Arts & Music School (JAMS)

  • Downtown Vision Inc. (DVI) - Placemaking School

  • ​Auburn University Student Planning Assoc. (SPA)

  • Alabama A&M Urban Planning Dept.

  • Black Farmers CBO

  • Association for Community Design (ACD) 46

  • The New School (New York)

  • ULI Northwest Arkansas

PLACEKEEPING + ACTIVATION

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Place keeping is critical when reimagining how a space can be transformed with the community and a service that DRBTS enjoys being apart of the most - especially in communities of color/underserved communities. We focus on taking placemaking to the next level!

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At DRBTS we focus on creating market installations, pop-ups (when appropriate), temporary to permanent space activations, and other design projects that ignite community gathering and access to needed resources.​​​

What exactly is an activation?

We define activation as the inclusive and collaborative creation of spaces + places that uplift the vibrance of a community while preserving cultural narratives. Activation in our book is done beyond "special events" in a way that creates something consistent that can act as an economic mobility tool. Or act as a safe third place that is always accessible to community.

 

Our goal is to work with communities to foster intentional community activation, small business development/hubs, safe public spaces and places. We're here to change the way places are designed in communities of color. We can't wait to bring an idea to life with you on your community place keeping activation!

Consultant rate for any place creation project is $150/per hour

Base project fee: $2,000 (amount to start activation)

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This rate is used when factoring in time that will be utilized during the full scope of the project - research, design, coordination, travel (when/if needed), and other elements as needed and agreed upon in the project scope.

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