My name is Alexis, but most people call me Lexi. I am currently pursuing a degree in Urban Planning at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). I initially began my studies in Architecture but soon realized my true passion lies in focusing on the people and communities I was designing for, rather than solely on the aesthetics— though I still have a deep appreciation for thoughtful, beautiful design.
As a planner, I thrive at the intersection of community engagement, data visualization, and creative problem-solving. My work often involves combining tools like ArcGIS Pro/QGIS and the Adobe Creative Suite to craft maps, graphics, and engagement materials that make complex ideas accessible to diverse audiences.
With experience spanning zoning code graphics, neighborhood studies, community enagement, and comprehensive planning, I am driven by a desire to create equitable and inclusive planning solutions that celebrate the uniqueness of each community. I believe that thoughtful design and representation are critical to shaping vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive urban spaces.
CONTACT
513-816-2779, Mobile spurloas@mail.uc.edu, Email 1430 Alexander Drive, Hamilton, OH 45013
EDUCATION
University of Cincinnati April 2026 Cincinnati, OH. Bachelor of Urban Planning Participating in the Professional Practice Program, alternating semesters with classroom studies with work in the field of design.
Hamilton High School May 2021 Hamilton, OH Top 10, Student Body President
AWARDS
Deans List
University of Cincinnati Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Magna Cum Laude Hamilton High School Spring 2021
SKILLS
• Adobe Creative Suite
• ArcGIS Pro, Storymaps, and Experience Builder
• Rhino
• SketchUp
• QGIS
• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Wordpress
EXPERIENCE
Planning CO-OP , Planning NEXT Columbus, OH (August 2024 - December 2024)
· Utilize ArcGIS Pro and Adobe Creative Suite to analyze existing conditions and develop maps for public engagement and plan documents.
· Conduct and compile research on state regulations regarding comprehensive planning in all fifty states.
· Design and create engagement materials to foster community input on comprehensive plan topics.
· Produce communication and outreach materials to promote engagement events.
Zoning and Graphics CO-OP, ZoneCO Cincinnati, OH (January 2024 - July 2024)
· Developed regulatory graphics to enhance public understanding of Zoning Codes.
· Revised Zoning language to ensure accessibility for the general public.
· Designed and formatted Zoning Codes, diagnostic reports, and marketing materials.
· Researched regulations related to setbacks, building form, and land use.
· Organized and facilitated community engagement events.
Civic Studio Artist, Cincinnati Artworks Cincinnati, OH (December 2022 - January 2024)
· Organized and led community engagement events incorporating artistic activities to gather public opinions on Cincinnati monuments.
· Researched and cataloged existing Cincinnati monuments into a comprehensive database for landscape trend analysis.
· Utilized ArcGIS and Experience Builder to create an interactive Cincinnati Monument Audit.
· Compiled findings into a report to inform the development of future Cincinnati monuments.
Planning Intern, City of Hamilton Hamilton, OH (May 2023 - August 2023)
· Attended public meetings on city-wide issues, including zoning changes, parking permits, and short-term rental regulations.
· Conducted pre-meeting research to create informative sheets and community surveys on relevant topics.
· Assisted in research projects for the Architectural Design Review Board.
Planning NEXT Co-op | Fall 2024 Community Engagement
As part of my co-op with Planning NEXT, I contributed to a community engagement initiative for a project focusing on an area southeast of Delaware, Ohio, soon to be annexed into the city.
For the first round of engagement, I played a key role in creating materials designed to gather meaningful input from residents and stakeholders. This included a packet of individual activities, interactive engagement boards for in-person events, and an online survey to ensure broad accessibility. These tools helped spark dialogue and collect diverse perspectives, forming the foundation for future planning in the annexed area.
WELCOME
Worksheet
The pages above are from the engagement packet given to all participants at the in-person workshop.
The two “boards” to the left are from the in-person workshop and were used to gather public reactions to a variety of development types. The two screenshots to the right are of the online survey created using a combination of the word-press website builder and formidable survey creator.
Regulatory Graphics
ZoneCo Co-op | Spring and Summer 2024
Zoning codes are critical public documents, but their language and complexity often make them inaccessible to the communities they serve. ZoneCo LLC bridges this gap by crafting clear, user-friendly, and equitable zoning codes, leveraging tools like regulatory graphics to clarify complex regulations and foster public engagement.
Regulatory graphics at ZoneCO fall into two categories: Regulatory—simple, informative diagrams that explain technical concepts, and Illustrative—visuals that enhance aesthetic appeal and reflect a community’s character. Occasionally, these approaches merge to create detailed, visually rich, and educational graphics.
This activity focuses on the physical character of developments in the study area. Below are some design elements that can be regulated through zoning. Place any color dot on the arrows to signify your preference for each regulation.
The pages above, from Twinsburg, Ohio’s zoning code draft, and the larger “board” for a community engagement activity, feature regulatory graphics I designed to enhance clarity and accessibility.
The sketch and graphic above depict the regulation: “One- and two-story building roofs may be hipped or gabled. Three-story buildings must have a flat roof.”
One notable project I contributed to was Palm Beach, Florida’s zoning code update. The town was interested in preserving it’s unique architectural character which required detailed, stylized graphics. Utilizing SketchUp, I created precise 3D models, guided by initial sketches that defined the layout, building design, annotations, and perspectives. These visuals brought the regulation to life, ensuring alignment with the town’s distinct identity.
The sketch and graphic above illustrate the regulation: “A third story must be set back at least halfway from the front to the rear of the building. The remaining third-floor roof area shall be used exclusively for residential living purposes.”
New Monuments Initiative
ArtWorks Civic Studio | 2023-24
Urban planning often focuses on physical infrastructure and policy challenges, but the role of art and design in shaping community identity is just as vital. Unfortunately, many cities overlook the importance of representation in public spaces, particularly for minority communities.
As part of ArtWorks’ inaugural Civic Studio, I joined a year-long effort to reimagine Cincinnati’s monumental landscape. Our team of ten artists analyzed existing monuments and engaged underserved communities to explore how new monuments could better reflect the city’s diverse culture and history. Through arts-based research methods, we designed and executed community engagement events, ultimately compiling our findings into a comprehensive report.
To the left is the cover of the engagement report, and the pages above are from the Key Findings section. Click on the cover to view the full report!
My primary roles included auditing the city’s current monuments and leading engagement planning. Designing creative, impactful activities became a specialty of mine, blending fun with meaningful dialogue. At an event with Queens Village celebrating Black mothers, we invited participants to write dedications to “monumental women” on paper, then transform these into paper flowers. Attendees left with a watering-can card and native Ohio wildflower seeds—a symbolic reminder of growth and remembrance.
Over the course of the initiative, I led four events, collaborated on planning ten others, and contributed to engagement activities used across nearly all events. This experience deepened my understanding of how art can address representation and foster connection within communities.
The pages above showcase two event proposal documents I created. The first two are for the studio’s Little Amal event, and the last two are for Blossoms and Blooms, an event celebrating Black women and mothers.
The spreads above are from the engagement report, summarizing the Little Amal and Blossoms and Blooms events. The additional photos capture key moments from each event. Artworks
Cincinnati Monument Audit
ArtWorks Civic Studio | 2023-24
Before engaging the community about future monuments, we needed a clear picture of Cincinnati’s existing monumental landscape. Surprisingly, no comprehensive record of monuments existed.
Inspired by the National Monument Audit by Monument Lab, our Civic Studio team conducted a localized audit to fill gaps in Cincinnati’s coverage. Unlike broad national data, we aimed to capture lesser-known monuments that might otherwise go unnoticed, highlighting the importance of grassroots efforts in documenting public spaces.
The image above is a screenshot of the interactive map included in the Cincinnati Monument Audit webpage. Click the screenshot to the right to check out the site!
To make this data accessible, I used my GIS skills to take the project further. As a team, we logged each monument into a spreadsheet, recording key details such as name, alternative names, inscriptions, descriptions, location coordinates, neighborhoods, creators, sponsors, and more. Once completed, I transferred this data into ArcGIS to create an interactive map with integrated monument information.
Using ESRI’s Experience Builder, I designed a public-facing webpage featuring the map, optimized for both desktop and mobile use. A dedicated monument gallery page showcases collected images, complete with names, addresses, and descriptions. This platform ensures that Cincinnati’s monumental history is easily accessible to all.
The image above is a screenshot of the monument gallery, with blown up examples of the front and back of a monument image. When you hover over an image, it will flip to reveal the description.
Digital Graphics
Adobe Creative Suite
I frequently use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, along with other Creative Suite applications, to design compelling graphics that enhance my projects.
The first two graphics highlight my work on the Mill Creek Industrial Corridor study. The first uses stacked ArcGIS Pro maps to illustrate the layers of the Urban Heat Island effect in the area. The second depicts a proposed environmental park in the Queensgate railyard. Due to limited time, I used Illustrator to create a clean, simple render instead of a 3D model.
The next three graphics are from a neighborhood study of Walnut Hills. The first is a collaged photo map created in Photoshop, incorporating images I took during a site visit. The second is a SWOT analysis map made in Illustrator, identifying the neighborhood’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The third is a population density map, also designed in Illustrator, offering a clear visualization of demographic data.
Mapping
ArcGIS Pro and Adobe Creative Suite
I create maps that combine technical precision with visual clarity, using ArcGIS Pro (or QGIS) to gather data and create basemaps, then refining them in Illustrator for stylistic enhancements and improved readability.
The two maps featured above are from a study of Center City, Philadelphia. They use a mask layer to highlight information within the Center City boundaries while keeping the surrounding context subtly visible underneath.
The third map was created during my co-op at Planning NEXT for Centerville, Ohio’s comprehensive plan. It visually represents key opportunities for the city, based on a group brainstorming session. Starting with a sketch from the session, I used ArcGIS Pro to develop the basemap and Illustrator to replicate and refine the design into a polished, professional map.
These maps demonstrate my ability to merge analytical data with design techniques, making complex information accessible and visually engaging for a range of audiences.
