David Dixon
FAIA
Creating “five-minute places”—neighborhoods where diverse people want to live, work, play, interact, innovate…and invest.
An award-winning planner, urban designer, visionary, author, and speaker, David has built a North America-wide reputation for transforming cities and suburbs into vibrant, resilient, and inclusive places. Over the past decade, his work has helped shape more than $10 billion in investment.
AIA’s Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture—its highest honor for achievement in the public sphere.
Named to Architect Magazine’s Hall of Fame as ''the person we call to ask about cities.''
Led New Orleans’ award-winning post-Katrina Master Plan and delivered the 2025 Morrison Lecture marking Katrina’s 20th anniversary.
Author of the forthcoming In Walking Distance, co-author of Urban Design for an Urban Century, co-editor of Suburban Remix.
Planned and built community support for over $10 billion in transformative urban investment across cities and suburbs.
featured posts
TRANSFORMATIve projects
Places. Communities. Lasting Impact.
David’s work spans some of North America’s most ambitious urban transformations, creating walkable places that strengthen communities, attract investment, and generate lasting impact.
SPEAKING
Ideas shaping stronger cities.
RECENT ENGAGEMENTS
Lead Panel Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
David Dixon is a dynamic keynote speaker and thought leader on the future of cities, downtowns, evolving suburbs, innovation ecosystems, walkable communities, and public spaces.
Proven thought leader
Engaging and practical insights
Real-world experience, national perspective
Publications
A lasting contribution to urban thinking.
David's work extends beyond projects and presentations. Through his books, he shares state-of-the-art expertise helping urban places become more vibrant, resilient, walkable, and economically successful. He offers practical insights for civic leaders, designers, developers, and policymakers.
insights
Thought leadership on planning and urban design
Explores why thoughtfully designed, walkable density is essential to creating vibrant, sustainable, and economically resilient cities where people and communities thrive.
Examines the forces reshaping downtowns and how walkability, housing, innovation, and changing demographics can fuel a new era of inclusive growth and shared opportunity.
From the bureaucracy to the grass roots to "hard resilience," David Dixon compares the profession’s recovery efforts from after Hurricane Katrina to after Hurricane Sandy.
Innovation ecosystems help cities thrive beyond a single hub. Placemaking connects people, ideas, and opportunities to attract talent and spark sustained economic growth.
LET’S DESIGN A BETTER URBAN FUTURE
David Dixon works with cities, institutions, developers, design firms, and civic leaders to shape ambitious urban strategies and turn complex challenges into actionable plans.
Urban Strategy & Planning
Senior-level guidance for complex urban projects and transformations.
Project & Pursuit Advisory
Help positioning teams, shaping ideas, and strengthening major pursuits.
Speaking Engagements
Keynotes, panels, conferences, workshops, and civic conversations.
Urban Design Leadership
Strategic counsel connecting community aspirations, economics, planning, and design.
WORK WITH DAVID ON:
David Dixon
FAIA
Urban Designer · Advisor
Author · Speaker
Boston, Massachusetts
Available for projects and speaking engagements across North America.
START A CONVERSATION
Whether you’re exploring a project, seeking strategic counsel, planning an event, or have another inquiry, David would be glad to hear from you.