Robert Goodspeed
Assistant Professor of Urban Planning
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan
I am an assistant professor of urban planning at the University of Michigan. My research focuses on the ways information and communications technologies can be used to improve planning processes and outcomes. It integrates social and technical perspectives, a focus on new technology, and a foundation in the pragmatic philosophical tradition. I received the Donald Schön Award for Excellence in Learning from Practice in 2013, and was named a Top 25 Leading Thinker in Urban Planning & Technology by the website Planetizen in 2011. Previously, I worked at the Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council and founded three place-based blogs: Rethink College Park (2006-2008), DCist.com (2004-2006), ArborUpdate (2004). I have a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from MIT, a Master of Community Planning from the University of Maryland, and BA in History from the University of Michigan.
Recent updates are available on my blog. For a complete listing of my publications, see my Google Scholar profile.
Graduate Certificate in Urban Informatics
I serve as the faculty director for this graduate certificate, open to any current UM graduate student. Visit the program website to learn more or apply.
New Book Now Available
My book, Scenario Planning for Cities and Regions: Managing and Envisioning Uncertain Futures, published by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, is now available. Order it from Amazon.com or directly from the press. Learn more on the scenario planning page.
Current Sponsored Research
Research Areas and Key Publications
Planning Support Systems for Collaborative Planning
New Urban Sociotechnical Practices
- Article: Goodspeed, Robert and Cassie Hackel. 2017. "Lessons for developing a planning support system infrastructure: The case of Southern California's Scenario Planning Model." Environment and Planning B. doi: 10.1177/2399808317727004.- Article: Goodspeed, Robert. 2015. "Smart cities: moving beyond urban cybernetics to tackle wicked problems." Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. doi: 10.1093/cjres/rsu013.- Goodspeed, R., L. Sigmon, D. Plowman, S. Lee. Innovative Planning in the U.S.: Engaging Communities to Buiild Better Places. Tekes/FinPro Future Watch Report. Report PDF, SlideShare Presentation.
Web-based Spatial Decision Support Systems for Environmental Management and Planning
- Article: Goodspeed, Robert et al. 2016. Applying design thinking methods to ecosystem management tools: Creating the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Explorer." Marine Policy 69, 134-145.- Report: Goodspeed, Robert, Arthur Prokosch, Catherine Riseng, Lacey Mason, Kevin Werhly. 2014. A Review of Great Lakes Web-Based Geospatial Information Tools. Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Framework project
Urban Informatics
- Book Chapter: Goodspeed, Robert. "Urban Informatics: Defining an emerging field." In Big Data for Regional Science, edited by L. Schintler and Z. Chen. Routledge.- Events: #micities and the Urban Informatics Unconference: Technology Innovation in Michigan Municipalities and Beyond- Paper: "From Public Records to Open Government: Access to Massachusetts Municipal Geographic Data” Journal of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association 23:1, 21-32.- Report: "Open Government Strategy for the City of Boston" (pdf) (6 August 2010)
Social Equity Scenario Tools
Detroit
Teaching
Engagement
On Campus
Michigan Interactive and Social ComputingA research group that connects researchers studying human-computer interaction, social computing, and computer-supported cooperative work across the University of Michigan.
Graham Sustainability InstituteI participate in funded research, meetings, and other activities sponsored by UM's campus-wide sustainability institute.
Research Collaborators
Civic Crowdfunding ProjectPatronicityioby
Scenario Planning ResearchLincoln Institute of Land Policy (funder)
Professional
Computers in Urban Management and Urban Planning (CUPUM)Board Member