Over 35 Years of Professional Experience In Both Public and Private Sectors
The Walker Collaborative (TWC) was founded on the belief that rarely is any one firm uniquely qualified for any single planning project. This is why, rather than using a firm-based approach, TWC employs a person-based approach.
Phil Walker and TWC are involved with a wide range of planning projects, including community visioning, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation, comprehensive planning, zoning and design standards.
PHILIP L. WALKER, FAICP
Principal
- Principal: The Walker Collaborative – Nashville, Tennessee (2002-present)
- Part-Time Interim Director:
– City Planning Department – Natchez, Mississippi (2022)
– Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA) – Natchez, Mississippi (2019-2022)
– Two Rivers Company (TRC) – Clarksville, Tennessee (2011-2014) - Director of Planning – Nashville Office: LRK Architects – Nashville, Tennessee (1998-2002)
- Principal: Community Planning & Research, Inc. – Nashville, Tennessee (1994-1998)
- Associate: Christopher Chadbourne & Associates – Cambridge, Massachusetts (1993-1994)
- Director of City Planning: City of Natchez – Natchez, Mississippi (1991-1993)
- Associate: Hintz/Nelessen Associates – Princeton, New Jersey (1988-1991)
- Executive Director: Downtown Improvement Board – Pensacola, Florida (1986-1988)
- Harvard University:
Master of Design Studies – Real Estate Development (1994) - University of Florida:
Master of Arts in Urban & Regional Planning (1986) - Middle Tennessee State University:
Bachelor of Science – Historic Preservation (1984)
- American Institute of Certified Planners – College of Fellows (FAICP)
- Professional Planner – State of New Jersey (inactive)
- National Charrette Institute (NCI) – Charrette Manager
- Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) Site Visitor
- American Planning Association: Pilot Program Reviewer – Comprehensive Plan Standards
- American Planning Association: Committee Member – Community Assistance Planning Services (CAP)
- International Association for Public Participation
- Preservation Action – Board of Directors (past)
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- National Main Street Network
- Tennessee Preservation Trust – Board of Directors (past)
- Nashville Urban Design Forum – Board of Directors (past)
“Philip and his team are sincerely nice people with no pretense –
a delight to be around and interact with.
I am looking forward to helping implement all the great ideas and images they created for our City.”
“Working with TWC on the Washington Drive District Plan was enjoyable and rewarding. Phil’s team was very qualified and easy to work with. The high-quality renderings made the plan catch people’s attention. The vision and strategies detailed in the written text inspired those who will implement it. Phil is very attentive, quick to respond, always willing to listen, and incorporate your ideas.”
“Phil is a pleasure to work with and for. He is committed to giving his clients
everything they seek while providing high-quality professional recommendations and plans.
He is always seeking the best in colleagues and consultants, as well.”
“Downtown Planning for Smaller and Midsize Communities is excellent for anyone working in revitalization. The book covers all of the aspects that help create a healthy downtown and a successful revitalization strategy. It’s the big picture of what makes a downtown function and the importance of having a plan. It reminded me what initially interested me about the field.”
“From all accounts, The Walker Collaborative knows what it’s doing when the aim is downtown revitalization… What we like most about this process is the strong desire this organization has to get public input…
The Walker Collaborative seemed to truly care about getting local buy-in.”
“Phil’s charrette process exceeded our expectations… Phil and his team demonstrated an outstanding ability to work with anxious developers, interested property owners, and concerned neighbors. The caliber of Walker’s work was proven when the resulting Downtown and Riverfront Master Plan was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Planning Award from the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association.”
“The reason the City continuously hires The Walker Collaborative, even over the course of multiple political administrations, is because they do a good job. Phil is good at listening to his clients and the public in general, and he takes the time to understand the various existing conditions in a thorough manner. His solutions for our community always seem to be the most technically sound and pragmatic path to take, so we value his recommendations.”
“… the City hired The Walker Collaborative (TWC) to craft a detailed revitalization strategy in 2013… Issues addressed included uses and development along the Coosa River … Although budgets are tight, we have used the plan to make steady progress in revitalizing the district… The City of Wetumpka was quite pleased with the services and end product provided by The Walker Collaborative.”
“I enjoyed your session. Your presentation was streamlined so it was easy to follow and grasp concepts,
entertaining with your natural injection of humor, and you had excellent presence.
You really connected with your audience.”
“I can tell you project managers make all the difference in the overall success of major planning initiatives. Phil Walker provided leadership at every step of the project. He took the lead role in all public meetings, served as the key point of contact with the City, and oversaw all aspects of the planning process. He exhibited a high level of expertise, professionalism, and responsiveness.”
