David Dixon
FAIA
Creating “five-minute places”—neighborhoods where people want to live, work, play, interact, innovate…and invest.
An award-winning and visionary urban planner, David has built a North America-wide reputation for transforming cities and suburbs into vibrant, resilient, and inclusive places. His work over the past decade has shaped more than $10 billion in transformative investment.
AWARD-WINNING IMPACT
AIA’s Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture—its highest honor for achievement in the public sphere.
trusted expert
Named to Architect Magazine’s Hall of Fame as “the person we call when we have a question about cities.”
POST-KATRINA NEW ORLEANS MASTER PLAN
Led the award-winning post-Katrina Master Plan for New Orleans, honored with the American Planning Association's Hard-Won Victory Award.
thought leader
Author of the forthcoming In Walking Distance, co-author of Urban Design for an Urban Century, co-editor of Suburban Remix.
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, LOCAL IMPACT
Planned and built community support for more than $10 billion in successful city-shaping investment over the past decade.
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.
Lead Panel Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
SPEAKING
Ideas shaping stronger cities.
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
RECENT ENGAGEMENTS
Publications
In Walking Distance: How 5-Minute Neighborhoods Are Reinventing Downtown
Reimagining downtowns as vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where people choose to live, work, play, interact, innovate...and invest.
A lasting contribution to urban thinking.
Suburban Remix: Creating the Next Generation of Urban Places
Transforming suburbs into vibrant, walkable places that foster stronger communities and lasting economic value.
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.
Urban Design for an Urban Century: Shaping More Livable, Equitable and Resilient Cities
A comprehensive guide to creating more livable, equitable, and resilient cities through people-centered urban design.
insights
Ideas and perspectives on urban places
Why We Need Walkable Density for Cities to Thrive
Explores why thoughtfully designed, walkable density is essential to creating more vibrant, sustainable, and economically successful cities.
A New Era of Downtown Opportunity
Examines the forces reshaping downtowns and how walkability, housing, innovation, and changing demographics can drive their next era of growth.
What the Industry Learned About Recovery From Post-Katrina New Orleans
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.
Placemaking for Innovation
Innovation ecosystems help cities thrive beyond a district or hub. Placemaking cultivates its success.
Build the future with David
David Dixon
FAIA
Boston, MA
Available for North America-wide planning and urban design consultations.