Pijawka announces planning project with the Navajo Nation

David Pijawka, ASU professor of planning and a senior sustainability scientist with the Global Institute of Sustainability, is very pleased to announce a new project in collaboration with the Navajo Nation and ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.  The project focuses on evaluating comprehensive planning needs, developing model plans and guidelines, and providing professional training at the chapter level so that the nation can successfully embark on comprehensive planning on its tribal lands.  The nation is comprised of 110 chapters and extends over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty in the states of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.  Pijawka has worked with several tribes, and has a long and trusting relationship with the Navajo Nation that has allowed him to partner with them on several projects relating to strategic planning and implementation of the Local Governance Act.  Additionally, he was the project director and a principal investigator of the Visioning 21st-Century Tribal Community Planning Workshop hosted by ASU, and co-author of the accompanying report.

Pijawka selected Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning student Martin Gromulat to assist him on this project and develop a set of model plans to provide the Nation with the tools necessary to create and implement their own plans.  Martin recently presented on comprehensive planning at the Navajo Nation Post Local Governance Act Certification Chapter Summit.

“I look forward to continuing my work with Native Americans; this is a passion for me,” commented Pijawka.  “This project represents an exciting opportunity for the University to work directly with a sovereign nation, on a timely and important project that will hopefully help shape their future in a sustainable and resilient way.”