SmithGroup, one of the nation’s largest integrated design firms, has hired urban design and mobility specialist Janet Attarian, AIA, LEED AP BD+C at its Detroit office. A nationally recognized authority in transportation policy creation, neighborhood development, and sustainable infrastructure, Attarian will work closely with multi-disciplinary team members within the firm’s Urban Design Practice and across the U.S. to drive the creation of smart, sustainable urban environments and transform the way mobility is implemented.
Possessing over 25 years of experience, Attarian served as a ranking leader within the planning and development, and transportation departments for the cities of Detroit and Chicago, where she held the roles of Deputy Director of Planning & Development and Complete Streets & Sustainability Director, respectively. During her tenure with these organizations, she led the creation and implementation of a wide range of innovative programs, policies, and community enhancement projects, including neighborhood framework plans, riverwalks, green infrastructure, trails, green alleys, and an array of mobility-focused projects, from protected bike lanes to complete streets.
Attarian’s portfolio includes an impressive range of legacy projects that have strengthened local businesses, improved safety along city streets, reduced negative impact on the environment, and created stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods. Some of her most notable work includes:
“Janet is a visionary leader whose vast body of work has had a transformative impact on the way transportation infrastructure is designed and implemented in cities,” said Dan Kinkead, co-director of SmithGroup’s Urban Design Practice. “With her national expertise, she understands the complex challenges associated with innovative urban projects and will use her capabilities to help our partners and clients create systems and spaces that improve the quality of life within their communities.”
A registered architect and LEED accredited professional, Attarian’s project work has been featured in a range of mainstream media and industry publications, including The New York Times, National Geographic, and Public Roads. Her background has also earned her invitations to speak at conferences around the world, including the Urban Land Institute, Urban Development Institute of Australia, National Association of City Transportation Officials, and American Planning Association.
Attarian earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a past member of the school’s Alumni Board for the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. In addition, she serves as a member of the Federal Highway Administration’s Sustainable Pavement Technical Working Group, which is tasked with producing guidelines for maximizing pavement longevity and reducing the ecological footprint of our nation’s roadways.
SmithGroup (www.smithgroup.com) is one of the world’s preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 15 offices in the U.S. and China, a team of 1,300 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design, and delivery. The scale of the firm’s thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces.
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