Distinguished Lecture Series: Fundamentals of Community Building featuring Nilsa Zacarias

Thursday, April 2, 2026 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Land planning plays a critical role in shaping communities and guiding their sustainable development. This engaging presentation will explore how land use planners evaluate and design spaces—from green areas and residential neighborhoods to commercial and industrial sites—to align with a community’s values, vision, and long-term goals.

Featured Speaker:
Nilsa Zacarias, Director of Planning at Chen Moore and Associates, brings extensive professional experience in land planning and community development.

During this Distinguished Lecture Series, Ms. Zacarias will highlight three key elements that serve as the foundation of effective community building:

  • Proactive Public Participation
  • Built and Natural Environment
  • Economic Growth

Attendees will gain insight into how community building integrates vision, regulations, and strategic partnerships to support thoughtful and successful planning efforts. The presentation will also examine how zoning laws and state and federal regulations inform land use decisions while prioritizing the needs and aspirations of communities.

Drawing from her professional experience, this visually engaging presentation will feature real-world examples, including the development of the City of Westlake in Palm Beach County, the Proactive Public Participation Program (4Ps), and innovative planning approaches such as carbon neutrality and biophilic urbanism.

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Location:

Downtown Campus: DPAC 106 (West Tower, 1st floor) [ View Website ]

Event Registration

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Contact:

Christopher Hawkins Christopher.Hawkins@ucf.edu

Calendar:

College of Community Innovation and Education

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Speaker/Lecture/Seminar

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College of Community Innovation & Education community building School of Public Administration community development urban and regional planning