Lahari Peluri, an alumna of OU’s Master of Urban Design program, recently contributed to a project that was honored with the prestigious Vernon Deines Award by the American Planning Association’s Small Town and Rural Planning Division. The Stephenville 2050 Comprehensive Plan, envisions a more resilient, community-driven future for the City of Stephenville, Texas, and stands out as a model for small-town planning nationwide.
Peluri played a key role in the project as part of the team at Lionheart Places, where she focused on graphics and visual storytelling. Her contributions helped transform complex planning data into clear, compelling visuals that brought the plan’s concepts to life for the broader community. These graphics included before-and-after land-use comparisons, illustrations of walkable neighborhoods, and frameworks for complete communities—tools that helped bridge the gap between planning policy and public understanding.
Figure 68: Community Core Neighborhood (Source: Stephenville 2025 Comprehensive Plan)
The Stephenville 2050 plan emphasizes sustainable growth, vibrant public spaces, and strong local partnerships. Its success reflects a growing recognition of how visual communication can support meaningful engagement and drive more inclusive planning outcomes.
“Design has the power to connect people to ideas,” said Peluri. “This project reminded me how thoughtful visuals can help communities truly see and shape their future.”
Peluri’s work exemplifies the values at the heart of urban design: collaboration, inclusivity, and vision. At OU, she honed her interdisciplinary approach to planning—blending design, policy, and community engagement—to create people-centered places. Her experience in Stephenville is a testament to how design can elevate the planning process and inspire a shared vision for tomorrow.
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
