Economic development as a common concern between policy makers shapes investment planning for the mobility systems. Rise of a high-tech economy while plays a critical role in shaping the cities and regional developments, its relation with mobility systems and infrasructures has received less attention in the discussions.

Following Center for Transportation, Equity, Decisions and Dollars (CTEDD) Focus Area 3 (Transportation Systems, Economic Competitiveness and Equal Access) and Focus Area 6 (Transportation Policy and Decisions Making); CTEDD Lecture Series #2 hosts a panel of experts in research, planning practice and policy development to explore the roles that transportation infrastructures and mobility systems play in pursuing economic developments and ensuring equal access to opportunities in the high-tech economy era.

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The panel discusses Dos and Don'ts with:

Dr. Daniel Chatman

Associate Professor of City & Regional Planning, University of California at Berkeley

Dr. Daniel Chatman is an Associate Professor Of City & Regional Planning at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Chatman studies travel behavior and the built environment; residential and workplace location choice; “smart growth” and municipal fiscal decision making; and the connections between public transportation, immigration and the economic growth of cities. His research relies heavily on original data collection, including surveys, focus groups and interviews. Ongoing and recently completed research projects include studies addressing which U.S. transit systems succeed and why; the implications of immigration trends for sustainable development and economic growth; the relationship of transit investments to agglomeration economies in U.S. cities; the effect of dynamic parking pricing on occupancy and use of on-street parking in San Francisco; and the relationship between residential location, commuting, and happiness.

Before joining UC Berkeley's Department of City and Regional Planning, Dr. Chatman was an assistant professor of urban planning and policy at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and director of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University. His previous experience includes work as a planner and consultant in the Bay Area, and three years with the Peace Corps in Botswana.

Mr. Chris Hillman:

City manager, City of Irving

Mr. Chris Hillman became Irving City Manager in August 2014.

Mr. Hillman's experience in public administration is extensive, having served as City Manager in Surprise, Arizona; Clearfield, Utah; and Eagle Mountain, Utah. Prior to that, he held various other municipal management positions. In Irving, Mr. Hillman's major focus areas include fiscal strength and sustainability, economic development, business/government/education coordination and collaboration, water resources and transportation.

Mr. Hillman attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a master's degree in Public Administration with a dual emphasis in City Management and Financial Management.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hillman has been highly involved in professional associations. He is a credentialed manager in the International City County Management Association and also is a member of the Texas City Management Association.

Prior to his relocation to Texas, Mr. Hillman served as president of the Utah City Management Association, as well as Utah Chapter President of the American Society for Public Administration. Mr. Hillman was a board member for the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) and a ULCT Legislative Policy Committee member.

Mr. Hillman is currently assigned to the Governor's appointed Bureau of Economic Geology Technical Advisory Committee, and he also serves on the boards for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and the Irving Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Mr. Doug McDonald

Planning Projects Manager for the City of Richardson

American Planning Association, Texas Chapter President

Mr. McDonald is the Planning Projects Manager for the City of Richardson, overseeing the enhancement, redevelopment, and transit-oriented development efforts for the city. Recently, Mr. McDonald managed an Innovation District and Transit-Oriented Development Study for a 1,200-acre area, which is part of Richardson’s Telecom Corridor. Prior to working for the City of Richardson, Mr. McDonald was the Comprehensive Planning Manager for the City of Plano where his team developed the state's first web-based, interactive comprehensive plan, which was the recipient of the 2017 APA National Daniel Burnham Award. While at Plano, Mr. McDonald also managed Plano’s heritage preservation program and demographics and research division. Mr. McDonald has also worked in the planning departments for the cities of Arlington and Keller.

Mr. McDonald is an alumni of UT-Arlington, receiving a Masters in City and Regional Planning in 2009 and a Masters in Public Administration in 2010. He also has a Bachelors in Political Science from Texas Tech University in 2007. Currently, Mr. McDonald is working to complete a certificate program at the University of Oklahoma Institute for Economic Development.

Mr. McDonald a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is actively involved with the American Planning Association where he was currently serves as the Texas Chapter President, representing nearly 2,500 planners from Texas. As part of this role, Mr. McDonald visits on occasion with State and U.S. legislators and their staffs regarding planning-related policy in Texas.

Moderator:

Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar

Research Associate, Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions, and Dollars (CTEDD)

Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar is a research associate at the Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions & Dollars (CTEDD) at the University of Texas at Arlington. His research focuses on economic growth via knowledge-based urban development initiatives, transportation, economic development and modeling, geospatial analysis, and urban visualization.

He has presented and published the results of his research activities in local and international academic journals and conferences, was also recognized by D-Magazine for his accomplishments, received the 1st Place Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Best Presentation Awards from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and UT-Arlington’s Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students.