The Urbanist DispatchThe Urbanist Dispatch was founded in 2011 to take a look at the global phenomenon that is the evolution of our cities, towns, and planet. As our world becomes more urbanized, new issues are facing places around the globe in terms of housing, economic development, transportation, and more. We’re looking at policy and practice: both what people are proposing are the solutions to these issues and how they are being implemented. We take a global approach to urban studies, as these problems are affecting every corner of the globe we must look for every corner to find them.

While there is a urban planning and design focus on a lot of the content, this isn’t a website just for planners. Anyone who loves cities, urban affairs, public policy, transit, neighborhoods, or any related topic should find something fun for them at the Urbanist Dispatch.

Simply put, The Urbanist Dispatch is about the places where we live, work, play, and how to make them better. Through open dialogue, collaboration, and the will to understand the lives and viewpoints of others we can make the world – be it urban, rural, or somewhere in between – a better place. That’s why The Dispatch exists.

The Urbanist Dispatch is run by Editor-In-Chief, John Cruz along with the writing and editing talent of the Urbanist Dispatch Staff.

All thoughts and opinions expressed in articles on The Urbanist Dispatch are entirely those of the author only and not The Urbanist Dispatch.

Click here to view our social media policy and here for our article attribution policy.

If you are interested in joining the team at The Urbanist Dispatch, click here.

Staff

John Cruz
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John Cruz

Editor-In-Chief at The Urbanist Dispatch
John Cruz, MUP, is an urbanist, photographer, and city planner. He has lived in Detroit, Montréal, and now resides in St. Louis.
John Cruz
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Amy Aubry

Amy Aubry

Staff Editor at The Urbanist Dispatch
Amy Aubry works for local government in Metro Detroit and has a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University. Her interests are in the environment and economic development.
Amy Aubry

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    Ben Bissell
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    Ben Bissell

    Staff Writer at The Urbanist Dispatch
    Ben Bissell is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a passion for political demography. He is currently working at East China Normal University’s Population Research Institute in Shanghai, China as a Henry Luce Scholar.
    Ben Bissell
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    Chris Matus
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    Chris Matus

    Contributing Editor at The Urbanist Dispatch
    Chris Matus is an urban planner with a background in public policy and creative writing. His interest in cities is coupled with a love of Michigan’s beaches and backwoods.
    Chris Matus
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    David Mieksztyn
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    David Mieksztyn

    Data Analyst/Parcel Prospector at LOVELAND Technologies
    Staff writer David Mieksztyn is an MUP alumni from Wayne State University.
    David Mieksztyn
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    James Courtney
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    James Courtney

    Staff Writer at The Urbanist Dispatch
    James Courtney is a former social researcher and foreign policy analyst. A native Detroiter, he lives in Detroit’s Historic Brush Park neighborhood with his wife Megan and their two pets Sheeba and Spanky.
    James Courtney
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    Liz Hayden

    Liz Hayden

    Business Development Specialist at City of Hamilton, Ohio
    Staff writer Liz Hayden is a Business Development Specialist for the City of Hamilton, Ohio. A life-long rust-belt resident, she was born in St. Louis, Missouri and now calls Hamilton, Ohio home.
    Liz Hayden

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    Melissa Cameron

    Melissa Cameron

    Staff Writer Melissa Cameron is a Environmental Health and Safety Specialist from the Greater New York area.
    Melissa Cameron

    Patrick Hewitt

    Patrick Hewitt

    Urban Planner at Mullin & Lonergan Associates
    Patrick Hewitt, MCRP, is an urban planner, graphic designer, and rust belt advocate. Raised in Warren, Ohio, he now lives in Columbus and works in Pittsburgh.
    Patrick Hewitt

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    Thomas Lewallen

    Thomas Lewallen

    Student at Roosevelt University
    Thomas Lewallen is a student at Roosevelt University studying Sustainability with a minor in Political Science. He is currently living in Chicago, Illinois with the intent to attend Graduate school in the Pacific Northwest.
    Thomas Lewallen

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    Will Leimenstoll
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    Will Leimenstoll

    Staff Writer at The Urbanist Dispatch
    Will Leimenstoll is graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a passion for city planning and sustainability. He is currently working with an environmental NGO in Bangkok, Thailand as a Henry Luce Scholar.
    Will Leimenstoll
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    Guest Writers


    Nick Kahn
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    Nick Kahn

    Community Recovery Assistance Specialist at The Federal Emergency Management Agency
    Nick Kahn, MUP, is an urban planning professional assisting the state of New Jersey recover from the impacts of Hurricane Sandy. Originally from New York City, he lives in New Brunswick, NJ and is interested in transportation and urban culture.
    Nick Kahn
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