American Planning Association

In this special episode of the People Behind the Plans podcast, guest host Jason Pugh, AICP, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), sits down with Michael Ford, AIA, NOMA, keynote speaker at the 2022 APA National Planning Conference. In this live-recorded discussion in San Diego, Ford and Pugh talk about the unique connection between hip hop, urban design, community engagement, and so much more. Ford, a licensed architect, is the creator of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, a free national summer camp, dedicated to introducing underrepresented youth to architecture planning, creative placemaking and economic development. Through the camp, he helps young people analyze hip hop songs by local artists to uncover critiques of their cities, then learn how to address those issues through urban design. Ford currently serves as president of the Wisconsin NOMA Chapter, and he is the founding principal of BrandNu Design Studio in Madison. Episode URL: https://planning.