
ABOUT TWC
Over 35 Years of Professional Experience In Both Public & Private Sectors
The Walker Collaborative (TWC) is the planning practice of Philip L. Walker, FAICP. This practice is founded upon the belief that rarely is any one firm uniquely qualified for any single planning project. Rather than using a firm-based approach, TWC employs a person-based approach.
TWC initiates each project by first understanding the project needs, next determining the necessary areas of expertise, and then identifying the best individuals to form the optimal project team. Team members are determined by balancing professional expertise and experience with considerations of geography, professional relationships, personalities, and planning philosophies. Only by employing this person-based approach can the most qualified project team be tailored for any given project.
TWC is involved with a wide range of planning projects, including community visioning, comprehensive planning, historic preservation, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, waterfront planning, new town centers, zoning and design guidelines. Most of the urban design work exhibited on this website was performed by Common Ground Urban Design + Planning (Franklin, TN), and most of the real estate economics was performed by Randall Gross / Development Economics (Nashville, TN & Washington, DC). Both firms are frequent collaborators with The Walker Collaborative.

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)
Awards
Phil Walker led the creation of numerous award-winning plans prior to establishing The Walker Collaborative (TWC) in 2002, including the Downtown Bryan Master Plan, which won the 2002 “Project Planning Award” from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association. Below are awards for projects led by TWC.


Outstanding Comprehensive Plan: Small Jursidiction 2021
Pikesville Comprehensive Plan: Pikesville, KY
Kentucky Chapter of the American Planning Association


Best Project • Outstanding Project Award 2018
Downtown Natchez Master Plan: Natchez, MS
Mississippi Chapter of the American Planning Association


Achievement in Urban Development • Urban Design 2012
Downtown Russellville Master Plan: Russellville, AR
Arkansas Chapter of the American Planning Association


Plan Implementation Award 2010
Downtown Gallatin Master Plan: Gallatin, TN
Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association


Community Development Award 2009
Washington Drive District Plan: High Point, NC
North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association


Best Plan Of The Year 2008
Northport Riverfront & Downtown Plan: Northpoint, AL
Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association


Comprehensive Plan For A Large Community Award 2007
High Point Core City Plan: High Point, NC
North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association


Award Of Excellence 2006
Downtown Gallatin Master Plan: Gallatin, TN
Greater Nashville Regional Council