University of Pennsylvania

Lafayette College

This course provides an introduction to the history and theory of planning including the current regional and urban planning policy issues and debates. It explores planning as a political activity immersed in policy, impacted by regulations, tied to economics, connected to issues of ideology, social and environmental justice, and inseparable from the law. It covers topics such as land use, zoning, transportation, community development, and economic development within legal, environmental and political contexts.

Planning the Built Environment Instructor, Department of Engineering Studies

Michele Dempsey, AIA, LEED AP is an award-winning Architect, Speaker and Professor who is the leading designer and creator the Strategic Branded Experience Framework--a proprietary system that results in eye-catching, sustainable, research-based projects that communicate a purpose, tell a story and produce a Return on Design Investment (RODI). The distinctive, award-winning work of her ﬁrm, DxDempsey Architecture, has been published in several national and international trade magazines and media outlets and can be seen in most of the major casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, a growing number of international airports and was featured on an episode of "Modern Family".  

Michele is an engaging speaker who has spoken at an international conference about how Strategic Branded Experiences produce Return on Design Investment, given two TEDx talks, Keynote lectures, and is frequently asked to present as an expert in the fields of architecture, planning, sustainability, branding and design. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Lafayette College where she teaches a course called Planning the Built Environment. 

Michele is highly involved in her community where she was the co-founder of The Office Convention and The Office Wrap Party, two large scale events that brought the writers and actors of the hit show "The Office" to Scranton to interact with fans and highlight the city, and the co-founder of Friends of Lackawanna, a grass roots non-profit committed to protecting the health and safety of the local community, as well as the regional image and the environment.