The UDC provides technical design assistance on a contract basis to urban communities and neighborhoods seeking to become more livable places. The UDC’s fees are subsidized by the Ohio State Board of Regents and by private philanthropy, so that high-quality design services are available to clients who might not otherwise be able to afford them. To produce this work, the UDC employs a professional staff with extensive experience in planning, urban design and architecture. The staff offers professional expertise in master planning, commercial district revitalization, recreation planning, design guidelines, historic preservation, residential neighborhood redevelopment, campus planning, streetscape design and other areas.

The UDC staff also works with students in the graduate program in urban design, both in the classroom and through informal, everyday interactions. The UDC employs students as research assistants to assist with basic site research and the production of graphic materials under the supervision of the professional staff. Additionally, design challenges that emerge from UDC projects are often brought into the studio setting for further investigation as part of the CUDC’s “service learning” commitment. The students also join the UDC staff regularly for design charrettes that have real-world clients.