Michael Mehaffy

Michael Mehaffy, Ph.D., is a development consultant, researcher, planner, designer, author, and president of Structura Naturalis Inc., his consultancy. He has held ten university appointments in eight countries in research and/or teaching, including most recently as Senior Researcher at the University of Notre Dame. He is a Fellow of the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Urban Guild.

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Article image for We need ‘Goldilocks,’ not ‘voodoo,’ urbanism Equity

We need ‘Goldilocks,’ not ‘voodoo,’ urbanism

Cities generate benefits from concentrations of talent—but also from “spreading it around.” Striking a balance results in more equity and a more resilient economy.
MICHAEL MEHAFFYJAN. 16, 2019
Article image for How Charles was right (it’s probably not what you think) Architecture

How Charles was right (it’s probably not what you think)

As the former Prince of Wales moves into a new and more circumscribed role, many people are reassessing his legacy for planning and design—but some are still missing a key point.
MICHAEL MEHAFFYOCT. 31, 2022
Article image for Busting the myth that alleys cost more Affordability

Busting the myth that alleys cost more

A careful apples-to-apples analysis shows that the classic urban pattern can actually cost less – but it mostly depends on the shape of the lots.
MICHAEL MEHAFFY, LAURENCE QAMARNOV. 14, 2025