Urban Design

We help you imagine what is possible, and we develop user-friendly plans to guide quality design and placemaking.

Ascent’s urban designers and planners work closely with our clients and community stakeholders to imagine what is possible, developing unique design and planning strategies to streamline housing and urban infill, strengthen community character, create vibrant pedestrian-oriented and mixed-use environments, and build quality public spaces. We are skilled at crafting user-friendly plans, easy-to-navigate codes, and effective design and development standards to guide successful implementation. Inclusive engagement is at the heart of all we do, from participating in one-on-one meetings to conducting charrettes, facilitating discussion groups, and leading online or in-person workshops. We use a variety of tools and techniques to make participation inclusive, interactive, educational, and fun for everyone, while ensuring that the feedback we collect helps customize solutions rooted in place.

SERVICES
  • Specific plans and community plans
  • Campus plans, master plans, and special area plans
  • Visioning, programming, and urban design studies
  • Design visualization and feasibility studies
  • Transit-oriented development, corridor plans, complete streets, and station area planning
  • Zoning and form-based codes
  • Objective design and development standards
  • Inclusive community engagement
FEATURED PROJECTS
The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
San Diego, California
Port of San Diego Master Plan Update
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The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
Milpitas, California
Milpitas Gateway–Main Street Specific Plan Update
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The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
Statewide, California
Objective Design Standards Toolkit
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The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale Downtown Specific Plan Update
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The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
Sunnyvale, California
Village Center Master Plan
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The City of Sacramento’s 2021–2029 Housing Element is an 8-year strategy to meet the housing needs of current and future residents by providing opportunities for increased overall housing production, greater housing affordability, advancement of equity and inclusion, and protection against residential displacement.
Elk Grove, California
Old Town Special Planning Area Update
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AMBASSADORS

Christine Babla AIA, AICP, LEED AP
Principal – Urban Design + Planning

619.795.0151
Email

LinkedIn
MEET CHRISTINE

Anh Thai LEED AP
Senior Planner/Urban Designer

916.732.3339
Email

LinkedIn
MEET ANH
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
  • City of San Diego
  • City of Sacramento
  • City of West Sacramento
  • City of Sunnyvale
  • City of Milpitas
  • City of Elk Grove
  • City of Folsom
  • City of Lathrop
  • City of Placerville
  • City of Fresno
  • City of Roseville
  • City of South Gate
  • Town of Truckee
  • Port of San Diego
  • California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
  • Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
  • San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
  • County of Sacramento
  • County of San Diego
  • County of Placer
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
URBAN DESIGN + PLANNING KNOWLEDGE
A Collaborative Approach to Increasing Diversity in the Environmental and Planning Industry
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our workspaces has become an important core value embraced by many organizations in the planning and environmental industry.
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SB 2 Planning Grants Program Provides Technical Assistance to Local Jurisdictions for Planning Efforts
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Senate Bill 2 Planning Grants Program provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions for planning efforts that accelerate housing approvals and increase housing production. As a part of the program, these toolkits.
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midtown sacramento, neighborhood, street, homes
Sacramento’s Bold Strategies to Address Housing Needs and Homelessness
As California continues to face a housing crisis, the City of Sacramento has taken significant steps to address its housing needs that may provide valuable strategies for other cities to consider. On August 10, 2021, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a Comprehensive Siting Plan to Address Homelessness.
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Urban Design
+ PlanningUrban DesignHousingComprehensive Planning
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