Our Organization
The Association for Community Design (ACD) envisions a practice of design that dismantles systemic injustice and creates an equitable built environment. Through our programs, we provide resources, connections, and support for practitioners working to advance equity and justice in the built environment.
Established in 1977, ACD is a network of individuals, organizations, and institutions committed to increasing the capacity of planning and design professions to better serve communities. ACD's mission, vision, and values serve and support practitioners, educators, and organizations engaged in community-based design and planning.
ACD is incorporated as a 501(c)3 membership organization and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Membership is open to both organizations and individuals. The dues collected by ACD support the annual conference, webinars, program development, and membership services.
Our Committees
All are welcome to join, contribute, and support our growing community of practice. ACD works through six committees that lead our programs and operations.
Conference +
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Fellowship +
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Research +
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Join the Conference and Convenings Committee if you enjoy connecting people with information, ideas, and have a knack for planning + organizing. You’ll have the opportunity to work with thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers around the country, leveraging ACD’s resources and network to share critical perspectives with other community practitioners! We coordinate local, regional, and national events both online and in-person including ACD's annual conference and monthly webinars to connect practitioners and support learning, networking, and professional growth. |
Join the Fellowship and Mentorship Committee if you are interested in changing the field of community design by changing who has access to it, who leads, and how. In this committee, you will build an understanding of how to create an intentional and equitable community of practice at all levels of professional development. We make space for informal peer-to-peer mentorship relationships that support the diversity of our membership’s design practices including Embodied Practice Workshops and Circles of Practice |
Join the Research and Resources Committee if you get excited about gathering and sharing information and want to explore emerging topics in community design with a team of leaders in the field. You’ll contribute to strategic conversations about how ACD can better support community designers and help shape projects and programs that aim to advance the field of community design. We connect members with toolkits and practical resources, events, and professional development opportunities including the release of original racial justice research, an online resource hub, and a new publication for members' work. |
Organizational Development |
Communications |
Membership + Partnership |
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Join the Organizational Development Committee if you enjoy strategic thinking, and have a knack for connecting the dots. You can learn the basics of nonprofit operations, financial management, and have the opportunity to influence ACD’s direction. You’ll gain an understanding of the field of community design alongside a team of leading practitioners. |
Join the Communications Committee if you are interested in helping to amplify the ACD network, connect with members, and bring more people into the world of community design. The ACD Communications committee is the place for anyone looking to volunteer time and skills in lifting up the work of our partners, helping with ACD graphics, tech and web design, social media, video editing, interviews, member takeovers, and more. |
Join the Membership and Partnership Committee if you interested in understanding the network of organizations and people that make ACD so meaningful. By joining the Membership and Partnership committee, you will have an opportunity to help us articulate & showcase the value of ACD to its members and direct new partnerships to support our programmatic work. |
Our Team
Board of DirectorsMaria Bergh Monique Brown Josh Budiongan Kristen Chin Chris Daemmrich Siboney Díaz-Sánchez Ebony Dumas Seema Kairam Stephen Klimek Melisa Sanders Preeti Sodhi Michelle Stadelman Sharonda Whatley Isabelle Yisak Kelsey Zlevor |
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Future Board Members
That's you! You can support ACD’s mission to advance more equitable communities by joining the Board of Directors. We are always looking for individuals who are seeking to support equitable space and place design by supporting practitioners doing this work every day, or seeking careers in this space. If you want this world to exist, we need your help to build and sustain it!
Past Board Members
Shannon Arms, Rashidah Williams, Alexa Bosse, Allie O'Neill, Ifeoma Ebo, Shalini Agrawal, Gilad Meron, Rebecca Bucky Willis, Heidi Schattin, Ashley Flintoff, Nikia Hill, Mark Matel, Theresa Hwang, Jess Blanch, Ann Panopeio, Ed Orlowski, Kevin Singh, Thor Erikson, James Wheeler, Nneka Sobers, Ryan Rinn, Mallory Baches, Katherine Darnstadt, Trinity Simons, Patrick McDonnell, Andrew Londre, Ceara O'Leary, Jeff Jou, Kelly Heyer, Sarah Abel,David Perkes, Virginia Stanard, Laura Shipman, Brandy Brooks, Daniel Glenn, Casius Pealer, Peter Aeschbacher, Carey Clouse, John Cary, Jess Zimbabwe, Kathy Dorgan, Jody Beck, Joni Monroe, Jonothan Peiffer, Sue Thering, Neil toro, Melissa Threatt, Ann Forsythe, Anne-Marie Lubenau, Sandra Mallory, Alex Salazar, Stephen Goldsmith, Elizabeth Gilboy, Colin Arnold, Jeanice Centouri, Beth Miller, Katie Swenson, Scott Ball, Connie Chung, Rex Curry, Michael Rios, - just to name a few!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is community design?
Community design is a movement focused on the creation and management of environments for people. This process promotes change to the built environment from the neighborhood to regional scale, and aims to meet community needs through participatory decision-making at all levels.
What do community designers practitioners do?
Practitioners of community design identify and solve social, economic, and political problems, as they relate to the built environment.
What is the advantage of community design?
Community design helps to establish active partnerships with community residents and institutions, to advocate and develop strategies for improving quality of life. A commitment to diversity and listening to the different voices in a community are core values of community design.
What is a community design center?
Community design centers are dedicated to the provision of planning, design and development services in low- and moderate-income communities. These centers have proven to be a unique vehicle through which a crucial array of services in community development marketplace has been made available.
How many and how many different kinds of community design centers exist?
There are over 60 community design centers in the U.S. alone, and affiliates all over the world. Community design centers include university-based centers, full service planning and design practices, NGO’s, and nonprofit organizations.