Yochai Eisenberg, MUPP, is the Project Coordinator at the Department of Disability and Human Development at UIC for the project entitled “Building Health Empowerment Zones for People with Disabilities: Obesity and the Built Environment”.

He received his Masters of Urban Planning and Policy degree from UIC and received his B.A in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Eisenberg has worked in various capacities in the private, public and non-profit sectors doing urban planning and design. 

Biosketch

Positions and Employment

Spring 2008

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Comm. Debra Shore, Chicago IL      

• Analyzed the built and natural environment of Ward 6 in Chicago in order to assess factors that affect stormwater management.
• Conducted phone and in-person interviews of persons affected and who influence basement flooding.
• Wrote a report on the effectiveness of using stormwater BMPs to reduce the damage of basement flooding in Chicago’s Ward 6. (in process)

Fall 2007

Farr Associates, Chicago IL                                   

• Developed base maps of transportation, land use, street networks etc. for the South Chicago LEED ND project, using aerials and GIS data.
• Worked with staff in analyzing existing urban design conditions, document preparation and developing base maps for a Form-Based Code for Lakeland, Tennessee.
• Assisted staff with the document preparation of a Form-Based Code for West Evanston, IL and Design Guidelines for Elston Ave. in Chicago.
  
  

Summer 2007

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Chicago IL                                     

• Conducted an extensive literature review on ‘sustainability indicators’ and evaluated them for CMAP’s, ‘Snapshot’ document on Sustainability in the region.
• Researched potential regional planning strategies for CMAP's Regional Comprehensive Plan that dealt with the ‘green economy’ and co-authored reports which were used for public comment.
• Utilized GIS to analyze aerials and create recommendation maps for a Pedestrian Study of four municipalities in Dupage County regarding access to proposed bus routes.
  

Sept. 2006 to May2007

Great Cities Institute, UIC, Chicago IL                      

• Produced reports on Healthy City models and Healthy City urban planning from around the world, which were related to obesity and accessibility.
• Researched and composed case studies of Community-Based Participatory Health Research for major University-Community Partnerships.
• Organized a Healthy City Research Cluster to organize researchers at UIC who were involved in the many different aspects of a Healthy City.
  

Summer 2005

City of Madison Planning Department, Madison WI

• Developed a Neighborhood Planning Manual, which detailed the neighborhood planning process, components of a plan and strategic tools for residents and community leaders
• Conducted field research, created a site analysis map and assisted with meetings for a 3-5 year Neighborhood Plan for a low-income neighborhood
• Initiated a community network on the city website for youth services and community development organizations to involve youth in planning and community development

Awards

Board of Trustees Tuition Waiver Fall 07, Spring 08

Third Prize, International Design Competition for a city in Guangxi, China Fall 07

Publications

City Design Center. 2007. ‘Sustainable Neighborhood Design’ in “Green Schemes: Sustainable Urbanism for Garfield Park”. Contributor.

CMAP. 2007.  “Sustainability Snapshot”.  Researcher and Contributor.

CMAP. 2007.  ‘Teardowns: Definitions, Effects and Strategies’. Researcher and Co-author.