Diana Fernandez Bibeau
Boston – Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) announced the appointment of Diana Fernandez Bibeau as the new deputy chief of urban design, to craft and execute a human-scale and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston.
Under the leadership of Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison, Fernandez will elevate the importance of urban design, and champion the transformative power of sustainable and walkable communities for all ages and abilities. In partnership with Jemison and the BPDA’s Urban Design department, Fernandez will work to strategically transform existing BPDA urban design processes to promote predictability and quality for both the community members and the development industry.
Fernandez has worked across multiple firm scales in Philadelphia and Boston to build a design practice that reassess the policies that have perpetuated race, gender, environmental and socioeconomic inequality, and implement design methodologies that can respond to and correct them. She also provides thought and design leadership for landscape and urban design practices at the national level through the Landscape Architecture Foundation, American Society of Landscape Architects, and the American Planning Association.
—
“Diana is a dynamic problem solver and inclusive designer with years of experience working to reimagine how our built environment can reflect and empower our communities. I’m thrilled to bring her vision to the work we do everyday in city government,” said Wu.
“It’s an honor to be joining Mayor Wu and Chief Arthur Jemison in charting a heterogeneous design vision for the city of Boston,” said Fernandez. “I’m excited to tap into the great diversity of experience, perspective, and creativity within this city to shape urban design strategies that will inclusively serve all Bostonians. I look forward to working collaboratively to define and realize this vision.”
As part of her work, Fernandez will partner on the Mayor’s Green New Deal agenda with the city departments, including the Boston Transportation Department, the Environment Department, Parks, Office of Housing, Public Works, Public Facilities, Boston Public Schools, and Boston Public Libraries, to align urban design efforts into a comprehensive vision for Boston.
