Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Leonardo Vazquez
2012 National Planning Excellence Awards: Advancing Diversity & Social Change in Honor of Paul Davidoff
Leonardo Vazquez has made a mark in urban planning by shifting the focus to alleviate issues that plague Latino communities. For 15 years as a leader, educator, and author, Vazquez has been a staunch advocate for social justice and ethnic diversity in the planning industry.
Vazquez is the head of three centers at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Policy, where he teaches students how to diagnose problems and create solutions for multi-ethnic communities. He is the author of Leading from the Middle: Strategic Thinking and Planning and Community Development for Professionals and co-editor of the forthcoming Dialogos: Placemaking in Latino Communities. Vazquez played a key role in the conception of APA's Latinos and Planning Division and is co-founder of the Planners for Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Committee for APA's New York Metro Chapter, which is helping other chapters establish diversity councils.