James Rojas

James Rojas is the founder of PLACE IT!, a design-based urban planning initiative that uses model-building workshops and on-site interactive models to help participants translate conceptual planning ideas into physical forms and learn about the value of planning and design in shaping how we live.

James is a veteran of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Peace Corps and holds an M.A. in City Planning and an M.S. in Architecture Studies from MIT. He works as a city and transportation planner and is the founder of the Latino Urban Forum, a non-profit dedicated to increasing awareness of planning and design issues facing low-income Latinos. He has written and lectured extensively about how culture and immigration are transforming the American front yard and landscape, and, through Place It!, has organized over 150 on-site model installations and interactive workshops.

James will serve as organizer and facilitator for "A Model City".