Bio
Associate Professor and department Co-Chair, Carolyn Esswein, is a designer, planner and educator whose work with communities is making them more inclusive and resilient. She fosters collaboration between campus and community to achieve excellence in both practice and education. Combining her educational role with 30 years of community planning consulting, she integrates urban design and engagement skills to address projects of varying scales. Her applied-practice research has resulted in more than 30 new parks and plazas, enhanced business districts, and economic development initiatives creating new housing and homeownership opportunities. Her primary role for 20 years was in consulting, creating new town centers, comprehensive plans, and development guidelines for cities of all sizes. Carolyn brings her experience to UWM with practice-based teaching and applied-research, she coordinates the Masters of Architecture/Masters of Urban Planning joint degree and Master of Urban Design programs. Carolyn’s courses take on current development opportunities in the City from redevelopment of the Harbor District to developing policies for converting vacant parcels, all providing a local conversation about what’s possible and influencing development decisions and policies.
As Director of Community Design Solutions (CDS)from 2012 to 2023, Carolyn managed more than 350 community-based projects and facilitated 13 Community Charettes in Milwaukee, resulting in more than $300 million in local investment for underserved neighborhoods. Working with the non-profit Reflo and Milwaukee Public Schools, Carolyn and student teams create design concepts and public engagement sessions that have converted over 40 schoolyards from asphalt to outdoor play, classrooms, and stormwater management. A recent Brookings Institution article highlights the environmental and educational benefits.
Carolyn has received numerous awards for her work including the WCREW Spire Award for her impact on real estate and development in Wisconsin, MANDI Navigator finalist for her impact on Milwaukee neighborhoods, and Community Based Faculty of the Year from UWM. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Madison and a Master of Architecture & Master of Urban Planning degrees from UW-Milwaukee. Carolyn is Accredited with Congress for New Urbanism (CNU-A) and one of five Wisconsin planners to be recognized as a Fellow by the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), the highest national achievement for planners, and the only woman with this recognition in Wisconsin. Carolyn continues to practice community planning as the owner of Ce Planning Studio.
Registrations and Memberships
AICP College of Fellows (FAICP)
Congress for New Urbanism – Accredited (CNU-A)
Executive Board Member – American Planning Association, Wisconsin Chapter
Executive Board Member – Congress for New Urbanism, Wisconsin Chapter
Education
Master of Architecture, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 1994
Master of Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 1994
Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin- Madison, 1990
Research Focus
Urban Design and Community Development
Sustainable Development Practices
Public Engagement
Courses
ARCH 749 /URBPLAN 857– Urban Design as Public Policy
ARCH 340/URBPLAN 751 – Introduction to Urban Design and Physical Planning
ARCH 650/850 URBPLAN 858/992 – Urban Design Community Redevelopment Studio
URBPLAN 811 – Applied Planning Workshop, graduate capstone course
External Link
https://uwm.edu/community-design-solutions/
http://www.ceplanningstudio.com
Brookings Institution Green Schoolyards article
Wisconsin Public Radio ACRE
Selected Work
Community Design and Development Charettes, 13 completed, Milwaukee – implementation impact includes more than $100 million invested in converting vacant schools and buildings into affordable housing and community amenities, America’s Black Holocaust Museum, conversion of vacant big boxes to jobs and makerspaces, new cafes, healthy grocery in a food desert, training centers, wellness center, and more.
17+ public schoolyards transformed from asphalt to outdoor classrooms, stormwater features, and safe play. Recognized with numerous awards include US Department of Education for Green Schools.
New Berlin City Center Redevelopment, $45 million invested, new identity with affordable and market-rate housing within a walkable city center.
West Allis Six Point Redevelopment, $50 million added value with new housing, enhanced Farmer’s Market, and clinic.
Racine Regency Mall Redevelopment Vision as mixed-use development to convert failing mall.
Drexel Town Square Development Plan, Oak Creek, $194 million investment, new heart of the city
Village of Fontana Porter Court Plaza, Mixed-Use Development, Highway Beautification,
Lakefront Development Plan, $10 million added value.
East Side BID Market Study and Redevelopment Plan, Milwaukee.
Lindsay Heights Revitalization, Milwaukee. $70 million invested, 164 new houses, increased home-ownership.
Home Gr/Own 20 Vacant Parcels to Parks, northwest side of Milwaukee.
Fond du Lac and North Neighborhood Area Plan, Milwaukee – established the standard for 13 additional Area Plans.
Villard Street Library Mixed-Use Development, Milwaukee – established standard for all future mixed-use library projects.
Urban Land Institute Hines Student Competition Finalist, 2015 New Orleans Redevelopment – Faculty Advisor.
West Allis Comprehensive Plan, 35 Redevelopment Site Scenarios and Public/Private Cost Benefit Analysis - Milwaukee Mile Proposal.
