Recent News June 2009

URBAN STUDIES GRADUATE GETS ATTENTION WITH HIS RESEARCH

Brent Isaacs, a recent graduate with a Master’s in Architectural Urban Studies is being recognized for his research done on the North Tulsa area. He has been noticed by the Tulsa City Council and the local news in Tulsa. Isaacs chose to research this area of Tulsa as a final step to completing his Master’s Degree.
“North Tulsa is an area that seems to get overlooked in planning and policy initiatives locally,” said Isaacs. He believes that other areas such as downtown and midtown Tulsa get the most attention as far as research. “I also believe that solving the problems of the area and promoting population and economic growth there are key to the future of Tulsa.”
In the 70 pages of research Isaacs included the gains and losses that North Tulsa has seen in the past 30 to 40 years. His research showed that new buildings and new houses were being built in the area, but vacant houses were becoming more run down and nothing was being done about it. His advice: Stricter code enforcements.
Though he noted problems in his research, he also saw potential growth. “My passion is improving older parts of cities to make them better places to live, work and play,” said Isaacs.
With this thinking, Isaacs captured the attention of the Tulsa City Council and was able to present his ideas to possibly come to a reality. Currently, the Tulsa City Councilor has the research and is looking into implementation.
For more information about the Urban Design Studio, visit http://tulsagrad.ou.edu/studio/index.htm. View Isaacs recognition on KJRH news at http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/OU-Tulsa-grad-researches-North-Tulsa/aDURWX21QUCPEAXDsD6xtw.cspx.