Meet our Students: Matthew McCluney / Community and Regional Planning

What city, region, state do you call home?

Los Angeles

In which graduate program are you enrolled?

Community and Regional Planning

What is your area of concentration?

I am interested in urban density and infill patterns that create a healthier and more efficient use of space and land in our major metropolitan areas. This area of interest spans the spectrum of issues from transportation and infrastructure improvements, to sustainable design standards, carving out open space for parks and nature preserves, and closer connections between work and home.

What will you be doing for the Community Service Center?

I am working on a Community Planning Workshop team to update a FEMA Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for Jefferson County in the state of Oregon. We will also be creating Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan update training modules for local government officials.

How does your involvement with the Community Service Center relate to or inform your graduate studies?

My CSC project on Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning informs my graduate experience on both a process and content level. Preparing for hazards is crucial to keeping any good development/planning around through each and every inevitable hazard event. Additionally, working on a team, meeting consistently with local government officials, and preparing a deliverable report are all process methods that bolster my professional acumen.

What can you say about the value of your Community Service Center experience?

The CSC has a wealth of resources, connections and opportunities for me to advance my graduate studies, while gaining invaluable professional experience, and actually directing my work towards a constructive project for the state of Oregon.

What outcome are you hoping for when your project ends?

I am hoping that our teams final deliverables show a level of professionalism that match the hard work and effort we are putting into the project. I also hope that I form many working relationships with local government officials all over the state.

More about the Community Planning Workshop(CPW)