Rodney Swink, FASLA, PLA

Bio

Rodney Swink is a licensed landscape architect and Professor of the Practice in the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Program. In private practice, Swink is Senior Associate for Planning and Development with PlaceEconomics, (www.placeeconomics.com) a Washington, DC-based real estate and economic development consulting firm that specializes in services to public and nonprofit-sector clients who are dealing with downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization and the reuse of historic structures. He also works in the firm’s international arm, Heritage Strategies, International, providing services to governments and NGOs at the intersection of economics and heritage conservation.

Swink directed the North Carolina Main Street program for twenty-four years and he knows first-hand the issues facing not only cities and towns but also community organizations concerned about growth and development. He has provided consulting services and guidance to communities and organizations throughout the United States as well as in Bolivia, Chile, China, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Swink served as President of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Chair of the Council of Fellows. He is active in many professional and community-based organizations, serving as chair of the City of Raleigh Planning Commission and chair of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board. He recently competed terms as Chairman of the Board for Preservation North Carolina and Chair of the JC Raulston Arboretum Board of Advisors. He has won numerous state and national awards for his leadership and public service, including the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) President’s Medal and the ASLA LaGasse Medal in recognition of management and conservation of natural resources and public landscapes. An adjunct faculty member of the College since 1997, Swink is a 2004 recipient of the College’s “Wings on Wings” award and was recognized as its 2004 Distinguished Alumnus. He also sits on the College of Design Leaders’ Council.

Swink is active in the Urban Land Institute and he is a member of the American Planning Association, National Trust Preservation Forum, and North Carolina Partners of the Americas.

Area(s) of Expertise

Downtown Development and Neighborhood Revitalization, Historic Preservation, Community Engagement, Urban Forestry