Home » Who We Are » News & Articles
News & Articles
Local Planner and Urban Designer elected to the Board of PEDS
HGOR Executive, Valdis Zusmanis Will Help Influence Pedestrian Safety in Atlanta
ATLANTA, February 19, 2008 – HGOR’s Director of the Urban Design Studio, Valdis Zusmanis has been elected to the Board of PEDS, a metro Atlanta advocacy organization dedicated to the safety of pedestrians.
Mr. Zusmanis joined HGOR in January 2005, after working for 17 years in Boston, Ma. Zusmanis is a 1983 graduate of Michigan State University and a 1985 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he earned a Masters in Landscape Architecture.
Zusmanis and his team in HGOR’s Urban Design Studio have a passion for developing people-oriented, walkable urban environments. Such environments fall in line with the HGOR’s SEE Philosophy, which defines a successful project as a perceptive balance of the social, economical and environmental.
“HGOR has been a longtime supporter and believer in PEDS and its dedication to making Atlanta a safe and pedestrian friendly city,” HGOR Principal Bob Hughes said. “Valdis’ expertise in designing people-oriented urban environments will be a great asset to the organization and the community.”
HGOR received a PEDS Award in 2000 for its work in the transformation of Emory’s Campus into a pedestrian friendly environment. HGOR is currently working on Allen Plaza downtown, Terminus in Buckhead, and the transformation of Peachtree Street for the Buckhead CID.
About HGOR
HGOR is a leading Atlanta-based Planning and Landscape Architectural firm specializing in environmentally focused projects. The nationally recognized firm embraces the challenges of creating places of social value, economic sustainability and environmental stewardship. With a staff of 40 planners, urban designers, landscape architects, environmental specialists and support staff, HGOR focuses on quality service and innovative solutions to complex design issues. For more information, visit www.hgor.com.
About PEDS
Founded in 1996, PEDS is a member-based advocacy organization dedicated to the safety of metro Atlanta pedestrians. The organization was instrumental in the passage of Georgia legislation authorizing the use of cameras to ticket red-light runners and police sting operations, designed to target motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. For more information, visit www.peds.org.