David Pijawka, a senior sustainability scientist and professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, has been awarded $80 thousand by the Navajo Nation to continue his work with its planning community.

The award comes after Pijawka and a team of researchers evaluated the processes, quality and outcomes of the Community-Based Land Use Plans developed by the Nation's chapters. The team found that updates were needed, and recommended that they be guided by the latest technical planning knowledge, tools, methods and professional practices. In response, the Nation asked Pijawka to spearhead the effort.

The award will cover the production of two guidance documents, as well as training for the Nation's regional and chapter planners. Training will occur both on-site and at a  ten-day workshop held in June 2015 on ASU’s Tempe campus, which will feature topics like community visioning and participation, geographic information systems, legal issues, and cultural and sovereignty considerations.