Is it Getting Hot in Here or Is it Just Streets?

Sandra Rodríguez is a native Houstonian, daughter of immigrant parents and the President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, a civic organization focused on identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the needs and concerns of the broader community. She lived in the Gulfton neighborhood for almost four decades and believes in working … Read More

Sandra Rodríguez is a native Houstonian, daughter of immigrant parents and the President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, a civic organization focused on identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the needs and concerns of the broader community. She lived in the Gulfton neighborhood for almost four decades and believes in working collectively with all who live, work, worship, and play in the neighborhood. She also serves as the Advocacy Director at Latinos for Education where she leads the organization’s efforts to elevate Latino voices in decision making to increase educational outcomes. Her experience connecting community members to critical resources drives her work outside of the office. She obtained her bachelor’s from Springfield College School of Human Services as a single mother and currently serves as the Co-Chair for the City of Houston Food Insecurity Board Public Policy Committee, Co-Chair of the Houston Independent School District Capital Planning Steering Committee, is a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum Class XLVIII, a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and a proud mother of two young men. Read Less

"Andres Andujar is the driving force behind the community vision for the Hemisfair area redevelopment: to create one of the world’s great public places. This is being done by the transformation of the ’68 World’s Fair site into an urban district of multiple parks, residences and local businesses. Hemisfair is … Read More

"Andres Andujar is the driving force behind the community vision for the Hemisfair area redevelopment: to create one of the world’s great public places. This is being done by the transformation of the ’68 World’s Fair site into an urban district of multiple parks, residences and local businesses. Hemisfair is becoming sustainable, self-funded and filled with events authentic to San Antonio. In addition to his work on the Hemisfair district, Andres helped develop a vision and coined River North for an area north of our downtown surrounding the Museum Reach of the Riverwalk extension that resulted in a 400-acre urban rezoning and the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. For that volunteer effort, Andujar was given an honorary title from the American Institute of Architects. Andres was named 2006 Downtowner of the Year by Centro’s predecessor, the Downtown Alliance, and was selected as one of San Antonio’s Visionaries in 2008. In 2017 the San Antonio Express News selected Andres as a Texas Powerbroker, and in 2018 Visit San Antonio recognized Andres with the Con Corazon award for his dedication and passion for making San Antonio a better place. Andujar received his bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. His 30-year career in the private sector before Hemisfair includes design, construction, development and management experience of several billion dollars' worth of projects around the US and abroad. " Read Less

Marco Hinojosa is an urban planner at MIG, Inc. and is dedicated to empowering people to take part in planning and placemaking through inclusive engagement and education. Marco grew up in the suburbs, but trips to Mexico revealed what cities could be—with groceries within walking distance and various transportation and … Read More

Marco Hinojosa is an urban planner at MIG, Inc. and is dedicated to empowering people to take part in planning and placemaking through inclusive engagement and education. Marco grew up in the suburbs, but trips to Mexico revealed what cities could be—with groceries within walking distance and various transportation and housing options within mixed-use neighborhoods. His experience in public-sector development and transportation offers a nuanced understanding of a range of issues associated with making cities better for everyone. He is active in the American Planning Association, serving as Treasurer for the Latinos and Planning Division of the national organization. Read Less

David is the owner of a Dallas-based urban planning firm, DRW Planning Studio. He has a background in urban planning, urban design, public policy, and development-related disciplines. He has over 20 years of experience in developing long-range plans and urban design strategies; drafting code amendments; planning and implementing capital projects; … Read More

David is the owner of a Dallas-based urban planning firm, DRW Planning Studio. He has a background in urban planning, urban design, public policy, and development-related disciplines. He has over 20 years of experience in developing long-range plans and urban design strategies; drafting code amendments; planning and implementing capital projects; and managing economic development tools. In both the public and private sectors, David’s work advances innovative planning practices that improve the built environment; evaluates municipal policies and business processes through the lens of fostering more vibrant cities; and capitalizes on strategic opportunities to create unique and enduring places. David’s practice has evolved to have an increasing emphasis on the connection between the built environment and human health, including managing capital improvements that address environmental conditions to improve both physical health and mental well-being in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District, as well as policy guidance for healthy community planning in Louisiana through his affiliation with the Center for Planning Excellence in Baton Rouge. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University. Read Less