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Plusurbia’s Wynwood Vision Plan and NRD-1, examples of how even small interventions can reshape the experience of a dense urban district, are explored further by Juan Mullerat in his latest piece in the May issue of the National Recreation and Park Association. The article examines Wynwood’s evolution from an industrial district into a mixed-use neighborhood, and what it reveals about the future of urban public space. In places where parks were never planned, and land is limited, cities must take a different approach. In a place surrounded by art to look at, people still need space to pause and experience nature. By embedding public realm improvements into zoning, streets, and development, Wynwood reflects a broader shift in how cities can create more accessible, livable environments, where public space is not centralized but integrated into everyday life. In a place built for visual engagement, the garden adds a space designed to pause and breathe. Read the full article here.

Miami’s skyline keeps making headlines, but cities aren’t experienced from above; they’re lived on the street.In a recent interview with Catherine Odom, Real Estate reporter with the Miami Herald, later syndicated across outlets including Tampa Bay Times, Yahoo News, and MSN, Plusurbia Design's Principal, Juan Mullerat, emphasized that a consistent oversight in high-rise development is that the relationship between towers and the street is often treated as secondary, when it should be fundamental.As new towers rise, their true impact is determined not by height, but by how they meet the ground. The base of a building shapes the public realm, influencing walkability, economic activity, and daily social interaction. When designed with intent, ground floors can reinforce the continuity of the street, support local businesses, and create environments where urban life can unfold naturally.At Plusurbia, this perspective begins with a deep understanding of a place, its people, patterns of daily life, and cultural history, and translates that insight into design that is built to endure.We believe buildings must add value to cities and must be built to serve the public at the street level.Read the article here.

Real change in cities doesn’t happen overnight; it takes decades. At Plusurbia Design, we often talk about how planning is a long-term commitment, with impacts that can take 30 to 40 years to fully take shape.In a conversation with Harry Gotlieb from Miami's Community Newspapers, Juan Mullerat and Megan McLaughlin reflected on 20 years of progress made across Miami-Dade County and what still lies ahead.Because the cities we experience today were planned decades ago, and the decisions we make now will shape what comes next.

Cities shape children long before children understand what a city is. They walk on sidewalks that may be cracked or smooth. They wait at bus stops without knowing why some have benches, and others do not. They cross streets designed by people they will never meet. These decisions influence their safety, independence, and sense of belonging long before they have the language to describe them. Yet conversations about planning are usually reserved for professionals. By the time most people encounter zoning, infrastructure, or civic process, their assumptions about how places work are already formed. We believe planning literacy should begin earlier. Planning is not only a professional practice. It is also a civic skill. From Wood Blocks to City Blocks was created with that idea in mind. The book introduces young readers to the basic habits of good planning: observing, listening to others, identifying problems, and imagining practical improvements. Over more than two decades of professional practice, our team has participated in charrettes, workshops, public meetings, and community engagement processes across many different settings. One pattern appears repeatedly. While public participation is encouraged, there are very few structured tools designed to involve children in meaningful ways. When children are included, their participation is often informal or symbolic. Yet children already experience the successes and failures of planning every day, often more directly than adults. Yet children experience the public realm differently. They move at a different scale. They notice obstacles adults overlook. In workshops, they often point directly to problems in sidewalks, crossings, parks, and everyday infrastructure that professionals may have normalized. For this reason, From Wood Blocks to City Blocks is not only a story, but it is also a practical engagement tool. For planners. The book can support workshops, charrettes, and community engagement processes by providing activities that help children articulate what they observe and what they would change. For educators, it offers a framework for introducing civic responsibility, accessibility, and shared public space in language appropriate for younger audiences. The story encourages children to observe closely, listen carefully, draw their ideas clearly, and begin with one small improvement. These habits mirror the fundamentals of responsible planning practice. Streets, parks, sidewalks, libraries, and schools are shared spaces. They belong to everyone. Understanding how cities work and how shared spaces can improve should not be limited to specialists or institutions. For that reason, the digital edition of the book is offered freely. Planning knowledge should be accessible to the people who experience cities every day. It is shared under a Creative Commons license, allowing teachers, planners, educators, and community groups to use, print, share, and adapt it with attribution for non-commercial purposes. A low-cost print edition is also available for libraries, classrooms, workshops, and project teams that prefer a physical copy for public settings or community use. Cities improve when more people are invited into the conversation. That invitation can begin early. View  the free digital edition, download the printable PDF, or order a print copy here.

Are you passionate about shaping resilient, vibrant communities? Do you believe in the power of innovative, context-driven design? Plusurbia Design is looking for a creative Urban Designer to join our dynamic team.Position: Urban DesignerLocation: Miami, FLType: Full-TimeResponsibilities:Develop innovative urban design solutions for diverse projects, including master plans, community development, and public space design. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate planning, architecture, and landscape architecture into cohesive urban designs. Conduct site analyses, conceptual design, and detailed design work, ensuring alignment with project goals and Plusurbia's philosophy. Engage with communities and stakeholders to gather insights and incorporate feedback into design processes. Prepare and present design proposals, reports, and visualizations to clients and public agencies. Stay updated on urban design trends, zoning regulations, and sustainable practices to bring fresh ideas to projects.Required Qualifications and Skills:Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Design, or related field. Strong portfolio demonstrating experience with urban design projects, including master plans, public spaces, and community developments. Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Lumion, SketchUp, and GIS. Excellent verbal, written, and graphic communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly. A passion for sustainable, resilient, and community-oriented design. Self-motivated with good time management skills.Why Plusurbia Design?Plusurbia Design is an award-winning urban planning and design firm dedicated to creating inclusive, sustainable, and context-sensitive urban spaces. We work closely with communities, stakeholders, and local governments to deliver projects that enhance the quality of life and reflect the unique DNA of each place we touch. Our approach is rooted in the principles of placemaking, community engagement, and sustainable development.Be part of a growing, forward-thinking firm that values creativity, sustainability, and community impact. Work on transformative projects that make a real difference in urban environments, from Regional Comprehensive plans to neighborhood and district revitalization and design. Collaborate with a talented and passionate team in a supportive, innovative work environment. Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.Salary and Benefits:Salary – commensurate with experience and competitive in the marketplace. 401K ‘Elective Safe Harbor’ – Up to 3% of salary. End-of-year performance-based bonus. Benefits include personal days off, holidays, individual medical, dental, and vision insurance, and short—and long-term disability insurance.How to Apply:We'd love to hear from you if you're ready to contribute to meaningful urban design projects and grow with a leading firm!Send your resume, portfolio, and cover letter detailing your experience and why you’re a great fit for Plusurbia Design to careers@plusurbia.com.Applications that don't meet the requirements will be dismissed. Format the email with the subject line ‘Urban Designer Position.’ Portfolio, Resume, & Cover Letter must be in PDF format attached to the email. Deadline:  Applications will be accepted until September 25th, 2024.Plusurbia Design is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.Join us in shaping the cities of tomorrow—today!

upstatebizSC: Article February 24, 2022Plusurbia, the Miami-based urban design group leading the Greenville Gateway master plan project, this week unveiled a reimagined gateway into downtown. Built on community input gathered over several days, the concepts include pedestrian-friendly pathways and greenspace, restaurants, entertainment, sports, and mixed-use developments.The plan was constructed around six key principles: connect, protect, calibrate, reinvest, enhance, and collaborate.The presentation followed four days of public charrettes and open studio hours, during which residents, elected officials, business leaders, and designers gathered to submit ideas. Plusurbia compiled the input into a set of initial concepts for the area that includes East North Street, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center, Lavinia Street, East Park Avenue, and the Pettigru Historic District.The project spearheaded by DOM360’s Robert and Jennifer Donovan collected 400 survey responses in addition to the input from the charrettes’ attendees.The designers from Plusurbia will continue to collect input from stakeholders via an online survey on the project website at GatewayGreenville.com. Over the next two months, the group will work closely with the city and county to ensure Plusurbia’s recommendations dovetail with the agencies’ current work.Plusurbia will provide recommendations to the City of Greenville by May with the goal of creating a report of stakeholders’ visions and desires for the area that can help guide decision-making for the Greenville Gateway’s future.

WPTV: Article  October 27, 2021WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Nora is the name of a comprehensive master plan for a neighborhood in West Palm Beach located south of Palm Beach Lakes Blvd and North of Quadrille Blvd.“Nora is accretive to the smart growth of Downtown West Palm Beach,” says Ned Grace. “As a team deeply rooted in the Palm Beach area, we are witnessing a readiness and desire for a new kind of neighborhood in West Palm Beach’s urban core. The tailwind from the migration of industry leaders from around the country is adding fuel to this new demand, and Nora is the missing piece of West Palm Beach’s Downtown.”“We believe this previously overlooked area of Downtown will become a treasured gem in West Palm Beach. Our responsibility is to work thoughtfully and systematically to ensure the mix of commercial and residential offerings achieves Nora’s potential,” says Joe Furst.

The Plusurbia team participated in this year's Florida APA Conference in Miami as exhibitors, presenters, and award recipients!Two recently completed projects were honored with awards:2021 Award of Merit     Neighborhood Planning Category Wynwood Norte Community Vision Plan Recipients:City of Miami Wynwood Community Enhancement Association PlusUrbia Design 2021 Award of Merit      Grassroots Initiative Category Shenandoah Historic Properties Inventory  Recipients:Dade Heritage Trust PlusUrbia Design Please see additional photos from the conference below: 

Plusurbia's Andrew Georgiadis shares our experience with reforming cities through zoning reform in the prestigious urban design publication and podcast platform Somos Cidade. Read more about how we use planning instruments to achieve human-scale cities (in Portuguese) below:Já comum na realidade dos Estados Unidos, o Planned Unit Development (PUD) é visto como uma possibilidade para promover e acelerar mudanças pontuais na malha urbana de municípios do Brasil, criando espaços mais qualificados e diversificados. O instrumento é utilizado naquele país por incorporadores e desenvolvedores imobiliários para propor a modificação do zoneamento existente de lotes ou de grandes terrenos em determinados lugares. A partir desse modelo, é possível solicitar aos governos locais alterações na legislação de uma área para o uso misto do solo, implementação de empreendimentos – como bairros planejados –, melhorias na infraestrutura de uma região e ainda para aperfeiçoar ou introduzir ambientes públicos. “O PUD é empregado para aprovar um tipo de projeto que não cabe bem no zoneamento das prefeituras”, afirmou o arquiteto Andrew Georgiadis, em entrevista ao Somos Cidade. Andrew é diretor de Projetos do escritório PlusUrbia Design, com sede em Miami (EUA), e também professor da faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Miami e presidente da Georgiadis Urban Design. To keep reading, click here.

Juan Mullerat will participate in the 12th Greencities & S-Moving 2021 Forum in Málaga, Spain, on September 29th. Juan's presentation will contribute to the Urban Intelligence Room presentation, under "Success stories in research, innovation and local entrepreneurship" section of the conference.  Per the conference website, Greencities & S-Moving 2021 is the place that brings together the leading prescribers in the field of urban management and mobility of the future. For more information, visit greencitiesmalaga.com. Follow updates on Twitter: twitter.com/https://twitter.com/forogreencities For the complete program, visit: https://greencities.fycma.com/programa/?lang=en