Over 35 Years of Professional Experience
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)
“You and your team did a fantastic job with this comprehensive plan.
It clearly reflects a high level of care on your part.
We feel like the City of Midway really got its money’s worth.”
“New businesses, shops, and restaurants are opening downtown…, things are turning around. And Phil Walker is the perfect person to work with. He knows Natchez and has a fantastic national reputation for integrity and excellent work.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I received lots of feedback from participants that your presentation was well presented, informative, and professional. It left everyone with confidence in the project and proposed changes.”
“This draft is one of the most thorough and comprehensive planning documents I have ever read. Being used to NPS planning documents that are largely boiler plate and fluff and short on substance that serve little purpose than checking a box for park managers, I am truly impressed by your work.”
“TWC has many tools at their disposal and years of experience at molding and shaping. TWC’s plan was executed flawlessly as evidenced by the final result and enthusiasm to move forward with the ‘QuickStart’ projects. It was a pleasure working with team TWC! Our expectations were exceeded.”
“Mr. Walker assembled a talented team…that have dramatically changed the neighborhood for the better.
The plan has since been used as a model strategy for the revitalization
of other similar neighborhoods in Tupelo.”
“TWC put together a great team that was able to comprehensively achieve the project goals on time and within budget. The recommendations presented in the final report were practical and creative. The level of detail for this report was perfect.”
“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.”
“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 Walker Collaborative did a tremendous job of helping to forge the initial vision for our heritage area. The economic study prepared by Phil Walker and persuasively presented by him in five communities throughout the region was instrumental in confirming the potential of our proposed heritage area and solidifying widespread political and public support.”
“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.”
“TWC was extremely knowledgeable and competent in the subject matter. They provided a level of expertise that brought our antiquated Design Standards in line with modern and easy to read standards. TWC was very organized, and we are very satisfied with the overall end product.”
“… 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.”
“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.”
“TWC was incredibly professional and easy to work with, making the whole process smooth from start to finish. Their guidance was spot-on and really helped us move forward with confidence. The work they delivered was top-notch – detailed, thoughtful, and super well done.”
