Brian Wright, owner and founder of Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), spoke to upper school TICE students about how cities are planned. Brian has had the unique opportunity to plan cities, communities, and neighborhoods from the design stage to completion using the new urbanism design philosophy. He has worked on projects such as Rosemary Beach in 30A and Westhaven in Franklin. The company's current project is a novel agrihood neighborhood in Franklin. Agrihood is a new concept taking a conventional suburban neighborhood and adding a farm-to-service approach. There will be farmable land available in the neighborhood and goods can be harvested and sold in the community shops and restaurants. Community members may have animals, crops, a city center with shops and restaurants, with dwelling spaces ranging from apartments and townhomes, to tiny homes and family homes. 

Brian attributes his success to following what he loves. In his case, this meant going from thinking he would be a doctor or veterinarian to realizing that he needed more of a creative outlet. He illustrated how persistence paid off in landing him his first job in a major design company. 

Brian’s advice to students was to learn how to work well with others as an integral skill of any successful professional. Also, presentation skills are a large part of broader professional leadership. And lastly, demonstrate your work ethic to employers in interviews and even on your resume. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and be ready to show how you bring value. God has given everyone both strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to you how you bring your strengths to life by doing what you love and how you sharpen your weaknesses to work to your advantage.