Regional + City Planning students Logan Gray and Emily Pendergrast recently published op-eds regarding planning issues within Norman and across the state of Oklahoma. The students developed the articles as part of Dr. C. Aujean Lee’s course, “Planning with Diverse Communities.”
Gray’s op-ed, “Letter to the Editor: Dockless e-scooters create accessibility challenges,” was published in The Norman Transcript. In the article, he discusses accessibility issues with dockless e-scooters, which were first introduced to Norman in 2018. These e-scooters are often left in the middle of sidewalks and public walkways, blocking people with physical disabilities from maneuvering through the area. According to Gray, companies like Veo and Bird are at fault for their lack of regulation and compliance with local laws.
Pendergrast’s op-ed, “Affordable housing requires a mindset shift to meet the needs of Oklahomans,” was published in The Oklahoman, and highlights issues with single-family zoning laws. In the article, she explains how revising single-family zoning restrictions to allow for more alternative housing arrangements could benefit low-income families. According to Pendergrast, the availability of family-size apartments and mixed housing would create more affordable housing options and a stronger sense of community.
A project designed by Gibbs College of Architecture faculty member Austin Lightle has been selected for BuildFest 2026, a national art and architecture festival held at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in New York, on the historic grounds of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival.
Two Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture alumni are helping shape recommendations that could influence affordable housing design and construction across Oklahoma.
The University of Oklahoma Libraries recently welcomed Carl Siegel as an Architecture Librarian and Archivist and Assistant Professor. In his role, Siegel supports students, faculty and staff across the Gibbs College of Architecture while also serving as archivist for the American School of Architecture Archives.
