PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Proctor, N. J. (2017). The Added Value of Community Engagement in Public Design for Landscape Architecture Professionals. (pp. 1-113). [ETD]. Online: Virginia Tech. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10919/74982(ETD)

Abstract: This thesis examines three uniquely different community engagement methods that explore the relationship between community values and the physical landscape in two Appalachian communities; Austinville, VA and St. Paul, VA. Each community engagement method is 1) introduced via literature review/case study, 2) modified from the case study to suit local conditions, and 3) analyzed for effectiveness in connecting local values and the physical landscape. I then reflected on this academic research through the lens of a three-year employment as a community development and natural asset planner with a 501(c)3 non-profit in southwest Virginia. The professional experience revealed five “community systems” that impacted the overall effectiveness of community engagement processes and had the potential to position communities, and their public projects, for a higher level of success. The community systems included: Capacity and Readiness, Involvement, Leadership, Communication, Frame of Reference and Community Vision. Research and professional practice together suggested that an intentional effort to understand and incorporate community values via community engagement ultimately led to more meaningful designs in the public sector.

Proctor, N. (2020). Community Revitalization as a Catalyst For Conservation in the Clinch River Valley of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/52nwnkbk

Abstract: To conserve an environment is to conserve a community; to conserve a community is to conserve an environment. So, let’s collaborate with our communities! Our nation is in the midst of a development trend where customers, travelers, and residents alike deliberatively seek authentic, distinctive experiences, both cultural and natural. The economic impact of grassroots initiatives that highlight local assets is reaching levels never previously experienced. Community leaders and conservation professionals who work throughout Virginia have an obligation to understand the critical connection between the natural environment and local value systems by actively engaging the public.

Today, former extractive industries continue to compromise the economic and environmental legacy of countless communities. In deeper southwest Virginia, the Clinch River Valley Initiative (CRVI) was formed to mobilize a volunteer-based work group to strategically target environmental and social disparities within the region. The effort has since developed critical partnerships needed to revitalize local communities, increase the capacity of under-served communities, raise awareness of the Clinch River’s ecological significance, and ‘brand’ the region through innovative marketing campaigns. CRVI’s “success” can be neatly defined by: partnership development, community revitalization, awareness of ecological significance, and the creation of community support programs.

PRESENTATIONS

Proctor, N. (2020). Design is a (Life)Style. Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture Department

Abstract: Design is a life style and a way of thinking, often times outside of traditional design settings such as in an office or studio setting. This presentation shares stories, experiences, projects, and creative ways of thinking from Nick Proctor's small woodworking and metal fabrication workshop.

Proctor, N. (2020). Dante, VA: Where There's A Vision, There's Opportunity. In Virginia ASLA Annual Conference on Community Resilience: Design Awareness to Design Action. Virtual.

Abstract: From coal depot to a coffee café, the economic future of Dante, VA is bright. Dante's extensive community engagement efforts have brought new life into this former coal camp, deep in the hills of southwest Virginia. Once known for its rich coal deposits, Dante (population approx. 400) sits at the heart of the Clinch River watershed, a region teeming with biodiversity and eco-tourism potential. Led by dedicated community volunteers, the Dante Community Association began in January 2017 and rapidly assembled a network of community, county, state, and collegiate partners to accelerate planning initiatives. Initially, their efforts targeted two key brownfields, the Dante Depot and the former Arty Lee School, which had unfortunately fallen into disrepair after years of neglect. The community developed a vision for Dante to transform the two properties into community assets that leveraged economic development trends prevalent in the region such as local foods, camping, retail, entertainment, and environmental education. In a short two-year period, the community has had significant success and obtained eight grants worth over $635,000 including funds to begin the redevelopment of the Dante Depot and the initial cleanup of the former Arty Lee School, while also improving other assets throughout the community.
Presentation Recording

Browning, L., Gilboy, E., & Proctor, N. (2019). Leveraging Resources for Small, Rural Communities through Participatory Design.

Presentation Title: Leveraging Resources For Small, Rural Communities Through Participator Design
Abstract: Over one-half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and that number is projected to grow by 33% by 2050 [1]. This shift in population has drawn attention from grant-makers to fund projects dealing with urban growth. Unwittingly, this focus from funders has left small, rural communities struggling for resources [2]. We present case studies that demonstrate how participatory design and service learning can be used to enhance the economic and social well-being of people in small, rural communities, while strengthening a land-grant institution’s outreach, engagement, and teaching missions. Service learning has been shown to strengthen the learning process for college students including increased personal and intrapersonal development, critical thinking, and citizenship [3,4]. The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) at Virginia Tech was awarded several grants that foster greenspace planning, economic development, environmental remediation, and healthy living in communities through service learning in the coal mining regions of Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Tural E, Gilboy E, Proctor N, Roebuck K. Courtyard Redesigns of a Continuing Care Facility: Reflections on an Interdisciplinary Design Project 2019 Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC, 06 Mar 2019 - 10 Mar 2019.

Gilboy, E., Morici, J., Proctor, N. (2019). Where There's a Vision, There's Opportunity. In 2019 National Brownfields Training Conference.

Presented: December 12, 2019 at the 2019 EPA National Brownfields Training Conference
Abstract: From coal depot to a coffee café, the economic future of Dante, VA is bright. Dante's creative approach to utilizing grants opportunities has brought new life into this former coal camp, deep in the hills of southwest Virginia. Once known for its rich coal deposits, Dante (population approx. 400) now sits at the heart of the Clinch River watershed, a region teeming with biodiversity and eco-tourism potential. The Dante Community Association began in January 2017 by rapidly assembling a network of community, county, state, and collegiate partners to accelerate planning initiatives. Their efforts ultimately targeted two key brownfields, the Dante Depot/ downtown park and former Arty Lee School. Both had unfortunately become unsightly after years of neglect. Extensive efforts established a vision for the two properties that leveraged economic development trends prevalent in the region such as local foods, lodging, retail, entertainment, and continuing education/co-working. In a short two-year period the community has obtained eight grants worth $200,000 and has been recognized by the VA Department of Housing and Community Development as a member of its Main Street Affiliate program. A sample of their grants include conceptual design assistance from undergraduate students at the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech, a brownfields site assessment and redevelopment plan through the EPA, a new playground through KaBOOM!, and a grant through VA Dept. of Transportation to restore a portion of the Dante Depot.

Gilboy, E., Morici, J., Martin, B., Proctor, N., & Scott, B. (2018).

Title: Saltville - From Chemicals to Campground. In Central Appalachian Regional Brownfields Summit. Pulaski, VA.
Abstract: The Town of Saltville partnered with the Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) at Virginia Tech to leverage an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant and a grant from the Virginia Brownfields Assistance Fund (VBAF) to assess a brownfield site with a questionable environmental history from salt mining, operations from a chemical company, dumping, and use and storage of materials in a shop building. Located adjacent to the Wellfields Park, the site has the potential to solve a lodging need within town for the tourism economy. Through a community-driven design process, CDAC worked with the Town and community to create concepts for the redevelopment of the site into a campground. The team is now partnering with other agencies to secure funding for remediation and the implementation of the campground design.

Proctor, N. J., Javaheri, E., Cadwallender, M., & Barnes, M. (2017). Panel Discussion: Emerging Landscape Architects. In 2017 VA ASLA Annual Conference. Richmond, Virginia.