OUR PHILOSOPHY
Urban planning and allied disciplines of urban design, zoning, and environmental planning are our focus. Through our work we seek to give form to community aspirations, and foster places that are vital, livable, and reflect environmental stewardship. Our work is place-based – responsive to context, physical and natural settings, economic realities, and community needs. It is directed toward improving the quality of the living environment and promoting sustainable development patterns.
Dyett & Bhatia (D&B) was incorporated in California in December 1975 and has been providing professional services for the last 40 years. D&B's sole office is located in Oakland, CA. Our small size – about 25 employees – allows us to be nimble and responsive in our work, communication, and outreach. We conduct analysis and develop policies on a range of planning topics from land use and urban design, to economic development, sustainability, and social and environmental justice. The professional services we offer are focused on: urban design and specific plans, development codes and zoning ordinances, general plans, environmental planning and assessment, community engagement, geographic information systems (GIS), three-dimensional computer modeling, and visual simulation.
Our firm has won 12 awards in the last four years alone from the American Planning Association (APA), as well as two national awards from the APA in the last six years, including for California's first Public Health Element.
We believe that plan-making is a collaborative effort, involving a diversity of stakeholders, and we are committed to active community engagement, and considerations of social and environmental equity in planning processes. Our work continues to evolve in response to changing concerns of urbanism; however, our underlying commitment to creativity, excellence, and shaping livable and sustainable places remains unwavering.
Dyett & Bhatia (D&B) was incorporated in California in December 1975 and has been providing professional services for the last 40 years. D&B's sole office is located in Oakland, CA. Our small size – about 25 employees – allows us to be nimble and responsive in our work, communication, and outreach. We conduct analysis and develop policies on a range of planning topics from land use and urban design, to economic development, sustainability, and social and environmental justice. The professional services we offer are focused on: urban design and specific plans, development codes and zoning ordinances, general plans, environmental planning and assessment, community engagement, geographic information systems (GIS), three-dimensional computer modeling, and visual simulation.
Our firm has won 12 awards in the last four years alone from the American Planning Association (APA), as well as two national awards from the APA in the last six years, including for California's first Public Health Element.
We believe that plan-making is a collaborative effort, involving a diversity of stakeholders, and we are committed to active community engagement, and considerations of social and environmental equity in planning processes. Our work continues to evolve in response to changing concerns of urbanism; however, our underlying commitment to creativity, excellence, and shaping livable and sustainable places remains unwavering.
Dyett & Bhatia has a highly-trained staff of approximately 25, with academic backgrounds and professional experience in urban and regional planning; urban design; zoning; urban environmental planning; urban economics, architecture; graphic design; and public meeting facilitation. Dyett & Bhatia’s technical staff specializes in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartography, three-dimensional computer modeling, and computer-aided visualization.
Each Dyett & Bhatia Partner is an experienced practice leader and firm owner, with full decision-making authority, committed to excellence and nurturing enduring relationships.
LEADERSHIP
We are connected by a shared passion for planning and places, and a fundamental desire to enhance the quality of life of the communities we serve Our work methods are rooted in collaboration and inquisitiveness, and our work culture is engaging and inclusive.
LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP
Dyett & Bhatia is a leader in urban planning, renowned for its pioneering, creative, and award-winning projects.
Through our work we seek to give form to community aspirations, foster vital and livable places, and promote environmental sustainability and equity. Our work is place-based, tailored to each community’s specific needs. We believe plan making is a collaborative effort that engages and connects people and communities.
Our areas of practice are general plans; specific and area plans, including station area plans, downtown plans, and corridor and neighborhood plans; zoning; environmental review; and community engagement. Our work is place-based, responsive to context, physical and natural settings, and community needs. It is directed toward improving the quality of the living environment and promoting sustainable, equitable, and just development patterns. Our geographic focus is the western US; we have done projects across the US and overseas.
We are connected by a shared passion for planning and places, and a fundamental desire to enhance the quality of life of the communities we serve Our work methods are rooted in collaboration and inquisitiveness, and our work culture is engaging and inclusive.
Contact Us
Community Engagement
Dyett & Bhatia is committed to collaborative, participatory planning, with expertise in a wide variety of in-person and digital engagement techniques. Our community outreach programs are inclusive, results-oriented, and designed to leverage resources for maximum effectiveness, while building community ownership and buy-in. We routinely facilitate in-person and online interactive meetings with participation in the hundreds, and online activities with participations in thousands.
IN-PERSON MEETINGS AND ENGAGEMENT
Dyett & Bhatia has broad experience with large-format community workshops and open houses, stakeholder interviews and focus groups, interactive visioning exercises, "go to them" meetings, outreach to disadvantaged communities, simultaneous multilingual outreach, etc. We are adept at ensuring that people's voices are heard, participants are able to contribute effectively and meaningfully in often compressed time frames, and results are clearly synthesized and are actionable.
Breakfast Ideas
ONLINE ENGAGEMENT
Dyett & Bhatia has extensive experience in online community engagement, with in-house expertise with web design, managing mailing lists, etc. In the present COVID-19 situation, we have conducted virtually the entire spectrum of large and small-group engagement online, including virtual Advisory Committee meetings, live interactive townhall meetings and webinars, digital storybooks and walkthroughs, as well as narrated presentations and videos. Some examples of these are shown below.
Fairfield General Plan Alternatives Video
This video provides an overview of the alternatives for the City of Fairfield General Plan Update.
Napa 2040 General Plan Update Virtual Workshop - Jefferson Street Focus Area
This video shows the Jefferson Street Corridor strategies for the Napa General Plan, based on community input from surveys and workshops conducted last year, and input from surveys and workshops.
Interactive Guided "Walking" Tour
This virtual guided tour is an interactive way to learn more about the history and landmarks of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). For more about the SDC Specific Plan, please visit the project website here.
Online Mapping Engagement
D&B has extensive experience with online mapping and surveys. This online survey for University City in San Diego by Dyett & Bhatia generated participation by over 1,600 persons – the highest ever for any done by the City.
Interactive Virtual Community Workshops
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in community meeting participation, with attendance routinely in the hundreds. D&B has facilitated dozens of large online workshops with small groups breakouts, interactive boards, self-paced virtual story boards, etc. that have facilitated deeper immersion and dialogue than in traditional in-person workshops.