Speaking

Inspiring New Perspectives on the Future of Cities and suburbs

Award-winning urban designer and author David Dixon brings fresh perspectives and compelling insights to conferences and public forums—inspiring action toward a more livable, prosperous, and inclusive urban future.

KEYNOTE HIGHLIGHT

David Dixon at TEDx: Building Resilient Cities

Explore how David Dixon explains what it takes for cities to move beyond recovery and become stronger, more adaptable, and better positioned for long-term success.

Watch the Full TEDX Talk

Chronicle

Recent Engagements

CNU New England Summit: The New Localism | October 2, 2026

Opening Speaker | Boston, MA

David Dixon, FAIA, helped open CNU New England’s 2026 Summit, *The New Localism*, exploring the “New Norm” reshaping community planning amid transformative change and uncertain federal support.

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Historic Salem's "The New Urban Fabric: Balancing Growth and Heritage" | May 14, 2026

Event Host | Salem, MA

David Dixon, FAIA, hosted a Historic Salem panel on balancing growth and preservation, exploring how historic cities can evolve while protecting their distinctive character.

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Zhongguancun Forum & Beijing Planning Association Symposium | March 27, 2026

Featured Speaker & Invited International Expert | Beijing, China

David Dixon, FAIA, brought lessons from Kendall Square’s transformation to Beijing, showing how walkable innovation ecosystems can unlock talent, collaboration, and economic growth.

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Downtown New Jersey Conference | October 23, 2025

Keynote Speaker | Flemington, NJ

David Dixon, FAIA, opened the 2025 Downtown New Jersey Conference with strategies for transforming downtowns into vibrant destinations through placemaking, adaptive reuse, and people-centered design.

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Morrison Memorial Lecture | August 16, 2025

Keynote Speaker | New Orleans, LA

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered the keynote address at the Morrison Memorial Lecture, marking Katrina’s 20th anniversary with lessons for building a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous New Orleans.

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CNU 33 conference graphic, Providence, June 11–14, 2025, where David Dixon, FAIA, joined a panel on walkable density.

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 33), Providence | June 11, 2025

Keynote Speaker - Walkable Density | Providence, Rhode Island

David Dixon, FAIA, explores how walkable density creates the foundation for vibrant streets, thriving local economies, and inclusive communities at CNU 33 in Providence.

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Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit attendees during a program featuring David Dixon, FAIA, as keynote speaker on walkable, mixed-use suburban downtowns, mixed-use districts, and neighborhood centers.

Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit | November 2, 2023

Keynote Speaker | Atlanta, GA

David Dixon, FAIA, explored the forces and strategies shaping walkable, mixed-use suburban downtowns, mixed-use districts, and neighborhood centers in his Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit keynote.

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Southern New England APA Conference (SNEAPA) | October 6, 2023

Featured Speaker / Panel Presenter | New Haven, CT

At SNEAPA 2023, David Dixon, FAIA, led a panel on how changing housing markets and demographic trends are creating new opportunities for downtown revitalization.

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State of Downtown Boise Event | September 13, 2023

Keynote Speaker | Boise, ID

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered the keynote at Boise’s 2023 State of Downtown event, highlighting how walkability, mixed-use development, and vibrant public spaces support downtown revitalization, attract talent, and strengthen local economies.

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David Dixon, FAIA, presented on changing housing demand and downtown revitalization at the Future of Small Cities Institute’s 2023 Winter Dialogue in Troy, New York, highlighting opportunities for walkable, mixed-use development.

The Future of Small Cities Institute Conference | March 9, 2023

Keynote Speaker | Troy, NY

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered the featured keynote at the Future of Small Cities Institute’s 2023 Winter Dialogue, exploring how walkable downtowns and Main Streets could attract investment, expand housing choices, and strengthen local economies.

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Opening plenary panelist David Dixon, FAIA, shared perspectives on downtown recovery, urban economic vitality, and walkable, mixed-use development at the 2022 Canadian Real Estate Forum in Toronto, Ontario.

Canadian Real Estate Forum | November 30, 2022

Opening Plenary Panel | Toronto, Ontario

David Dixon, FAIA, served as an opening plenary panelist at the 2022 Canadian Real Estate Forum, sharing insights on downtown revitalization, post-pandemic recovery, and opportunities for walkable, mixed-use urban development.

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David Dixon, FAIA, spoke at a podium during his Downtown Indy keynote on how walkability, connectivity, public spaces, and authenticity could support economic growth and downtown vitality.

Downtown Indy, Inc. Annual Meeting | April 28, 2022

Keynote Speaker | Indianapolis, IN

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered the keynote at Downtown Indy, Inc.’s State of Downtown, highlighting how walkability, connectivity, public spaces, and authenticity can drive economic growth and renewed downtown vitality.

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David Dixon, FAIA, spoke to participants at the Calgary Downtown West charrette about downtown revitalization, walkability, and strategies to attract investment and strengthen community life.

Calgary Downtown Revitalization Forum | October 27, 2021

Keynote Speaker | Calgary, Alberta

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered a keynote at the ULI Alberta Downtown Symposium and helped guide Calgary’s Downtown West revitalization through a collaborative charrette and phased investment strategy.

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Kanata North urban development vision illustrating the walkable, mixed-use communities David Dixon, FAIA, discussed as keynote speaker at Ottawa’s Senior Leadership Workshop to attract talent, foster innovation, and strengthen Ottawa’s economy.

Ottawa’s Senior Leadership Workshop

Keynote Speaker | Ottawa, Ontario

David Dixon, FAIA, delivered the keynote at Ottawa’s Senior Leadership Workshop, drawing on his experience planning Kanata North’s future to explore how walkable, mixed-use communities could attract talent, foster innovation, and strengthen Ottawa’s economy.

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speaking highlights

Thought Leadership in Action

CNU Public Square Journal

Why We Need Walkable Density For Cities To Thrive

"Leading new urbanist David Dixon explains why, where, and how density can be used to revive cities."

Downtown New Jersey News

2025 Conference: Street-Level Magic - Building Experiential Downtowns

"David Dixon, FAIA, a nationally recognized leader in urban design and placemaking, delivered the keynote on how to think intentionally about designing downtowns for people."

Biz NEW ORLEANS

Morrison Lecture Examines Post-Katrina Urban Planning

"Nationally renowned urban planner David Dixon – who helped draft the city’s post-Katrina Master Plan – will reframe the story of recovery: not as a saga of missteps or a quest for perfection, but as the pursuit of an achievable, community-centered vision."

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“

Mr. Dixon joins as Keynote Speaker to deliver a brilliant overview of why main streets matter. His talk will illuminate the importance of vibrant main street hubs, where they were pre-COVID, and explore post-Pandemic momentum, as community priorities have shifted.

— Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress

Resilience as City Building _ David Dixon TEDx.jpg

Invite David to Speak at Your Event

Bring a leading voice in urban transformation to your next conference, civic forum, or corporate event. David offers actionable insights tailored to your community's unique challenges.