We are Proformus
an agency for joyous places.
Proformus is a multidisciplinary urbanism practice focused on the intersection of place, pattern, and people, where form is not a final product, but an evolving framework for civic life.
We make places go.
Who we work with →
Real Estate Developers
Cities & Towns
Institutions
Nonprofits & Community Orgs
Corporations
Neighborhoods
The Swiss Army Knife of urban planning →
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Proformus leads with placekeeping to honor local identity, memory, and meaning as cities evolve. While development often focuses on what can be added, our placekeeping practice begins by understanding what must be protected, uplifted, or reinterpreted. We work closely with community members, historians, artists, and cultural leaders to surface layered narratives, ensuring planning and design efforts are rooted in authenticity and context.
→ Cultural and Asset-Based Mapping
→ Community Engagement
→ Brand Strategies
→ Quality of Life Planning
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Proformus offers strategic urban planning services that help unlock the full potential of underutilized land. By analyzing land values, demographic trends, market absorption rates, and surrounding neighborhood dynamics, we identify sites best positioned for near- and long-term investment. Our approach reframes site constraints as development opportunities—positioning edges, buffers, or overlooked parcels as valuable assets rather than hindrances.
→ Economic Development Strategies
→ Development Scenario Planning
→ Market Analysis
→ Market Validation
→ Grant Writing
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Proformus provides comprehensive urban planning services that shape places to be more joyous, connected, and resilient. We approach planning as both a technical framework and a cultural act, balancing policy, land use, infrastructure, and design with lived experience and local priorities. Our work spans neighborhood plans, corridor strategies, and citywide visions, all guided by a deep commitment to implementation. Through thoughtful analysis, inclusive engagement, and clear communication, we help communities navigate complexity and chart a path toward intentional, people-centered growth.
→ Comprehensive & Neighborhood Planning
→ Corridor & District Frameworks
→ Zoning Strategy & Policy Alignment
→ Implementation & Action Steps
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The Proformus strategy is rooted in a collaborative, tech-driven approach that crafts context-sensitive design. Rather than rushing into form, we let spatial data guide the framework for future investment.
→ Place-Based Narratives
→ Spatial Analysis
→ Data Mapping
→ Behavioral & Built Environment Data
Selected Works
What We’re Up To →
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![A colorful street with rainbow-colored geometric patterns on the corner borders, pedestrians walking along the sidewalks, trees lining both sides, and street lamps illuminated.]()
Turning 10th Street into a safer pedestrian experience for vulnerable walkers.
Indianapolis | Our tactical urbanism project in the historic Chatham Arch neighborhood of Indianapolis will transform two key intersections, 10th Street & Park Avenue and 10th Street & Broadway—into age-safer spaces with curb bulb outs. We are partnering with AARP to help fund the neighborhood’s vision!
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![Illustration of an urban neighborhood street scene with various labels indicating development projects, street features, and urban planning concepts.]()
Thinking Big by Thinking Small
Chicago | This study challenges the prevailing “megaproject era” by advocating for incremental, emergent urbanism as an alternative framework for large-scale development. Rather than imposing master plans that struggle to adapt to shifting economic, social, and environmental conditions, this approach prioritizes flexibility and responsive urbanism—bridging the gap between long-term vision and immediate community needs. This approach includes the inclusion of a reformed block typology, the Hyperlocal Block.
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![Animated city map with green lines and arrows representing transportation routes, showing various people walking, cycling, sitting, and interacting throughout the city.]()
Mass Ave Certified Strategic Plan
Indianapolis | Proformus is undergoing pre-engagement for the ongoing MassAveNext planning effort in partnership with Mass Ave Cultural Arts District.
What we do
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![Colorful grid with the words 'proof' and 'mugs' in different colored squares.]()
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![Design plan for a pedestrian-friendly street with public art, parking stops, flex posts, and landscaped sidewalks, featuring two 12-foot travel lanes and community engagement messages.]()
We work to improve quality of life.
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![Diagram comparing emergent neighborhood development with planned megaprojects showing building types, parcel combinations, and ownership structures.]()
We help developers think small.
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![Architectural diagram of multi-unit residential buildings and parking, showing dimensions, floor counts, and property measurements.]()
We push the limits of zoning forward.
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![Diagram of various building types categorized as shop, work/make, live/BnB, and live, with illustrations of structures including retail shed, studio/gallery, office studio, loft unit, live/work space, dingbat ADU, garage/flex space, greenhouse, granny flat/cottage, single-family, duplex, fourplex, and single-stair multifamily.]()
We create emergent typologies.
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![A 3D floor plan of a future micro-retail space with color-coded sections for shops, coworking, micro manufacturing or artists, office, fresh products, and admin or bath areas, including restroom icons and a legend.]()
We are rethinking the future of retail.
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![A detailed plan for traffic calming and public art on 10th and Park, showing curb stops, flex posts, parking areas, crosswalks, and colorful mosaic patterns on curbs.]()
We help neighbors incrementally build safer streets.
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![Illustration of a lively urban neighborhood with people walking, riding bicycles, and cars parked along the street. There are small houses, a music studio, trees, and a container with plants. People are engaged in various activities like carrying bags, talking, and watering plants, with dogs present in the scene.]()
We ideate new ways to invest in infrastructure.
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![Colorful street scene with pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars, and storefronts on a bright day. A zebra-striped building is visible on the right, with signs indicating a museum and a speed table. Trees and street lamps line the sidewalks.]()
We rethink our streetscapes to have more joy.
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![A map showing Memphis development heat map with points indicating projects, overlaid with a graphic of a raised arrow symbolizing upward movement, and icons representing education, healthcare, and housing. The map highlights economic development along Beale Street and The Edge area.]()
We use geospatial data to guide healthcare districts.
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![Colorful two-story houses with trees, green lawns, and a driveway with trash bins in a suburban neighborhood.]()
We rethink infill housing.
Let’s talk!
Your city isn’t boring, so why should your planning be? Let’s plan better, for better places. For us.