Faculty and Staff Profiles

Charles A. Santo
Assoc Professor Chair, City and Regional Planning
Email: Charles.Santo@memphis.edu
Office Location: City And Regional Planning
Education
  • PhD Urban Studies - Portland State University - 2005
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning Urban and Regional Planning - Virginia Commonwealth University - 1999
  • Bachelor of Arts Politics - Washington & Lee University - 1996

Work Experience

  • Associate Director, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy - University of Memphis - 2017-
  • Chair and Associate Professor, City & Regional Planning - University of Memphis - 2012-
  • Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, City & Regional Planning - University of Memphis - 2011- 2012
  • Assistant Professor, City & Regional Planning - University of Memphis - 2005-2011
  • Research Consultant,   - Impresa Consulting / Smart City Consulting - 2004
  • Principal Planner (Planner III), Division of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation, Department of Community Development - City of Richmond, VA - 2000-2001
  • Planner I, Division of Neighborhood Planning, Department of Community Development - City of Richmond, VA - 1998-2000
Honors/Awards
  • Dunavant Professorship - College of Arts & Sciences, University of Memphis - 2019
  • Distinguished Research Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship - University of Memphis Alumni Association - 2016
  • Distinguished Research Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship - College of Arts & Sciences, University of Memphis - 2013
  • Professional Development Assignment - College of Arts & Sciences, University of Memphis - 2009
  • Award of Excellence in Community Development (finalist) -- for Mississippi River Corridor Environmental Systems Enhancement Plan - University Economic Development Association - 2009
  • Travel Enrichment Award - College of Arts & Sciences, University of Memphis - 2008 (Summer)
  • Travel Enrichment Award - College of Arts & Sciences, University of Memphis - 2008 (Spring)
  • Maurie Clark Fellowship - Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs - 2005
  • Gus Mattersdorff Student Paper Award - Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference - 2004
  • Academically-Controlled Auxiliary Activities Committee Travel Grant - Portland State University - 2004
  • Hatfield Resident - Portland State University, Executive Leadership Institute - 2001-2002
  • Distinguished Award - Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association - 2000

Teaching Experience

  • Comprehensive Planning Studio - University of Memphis
  • Research Problems Workshop - University of Memphis
  • Geographic Environmental Analysis - University of Memphis
  • Analysis for Community Planning - University of Memphis
  • Planning and the Metro Economy - University of Memphis
  • The Economics of Cities - University of Memphis
  • Applications of Community Development Finance - University of Memphis
  • Soulsville Music Magnet Project - University of Memphis
  • Research Problems Workshop - University of Memphis
  • The Economics of Sports - Portland State University

Support

  • Somerville Downtown Redevelopment Plan - Town of Somerville, TN - $38,500 - 2019
  • Learning from Informal Neighborhood Transportation Networks - FedEx Institute of Technology - $10,000 - 2018-2019
  • Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan - City of Memphis - $39,600 - 2017-2018
  • MATA Service Project - Memphis Area Transit Authority - $7,000 - 2017-18
  • Housing Code Enforcement and Health Outcomes in Memphis - Neighborhood Preservation Inc and the Urban Institute - $15,261 - 2017-18
  • Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development - Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development - $45,6000 - 2017-18
  • DMC Service Project - Downtown Memphis Comission - $9,000 - 2017-18
  • Meeman Shelby Forest CCC Camp Restoration Plan - Mississippi River Corridor -- Tennessee, Inc. - $51,390 - 2015-16
  • Planning to Capitalize on the Regional Greenprint: West Memphis Eco-Park - Shelby County Office of Sustainability - $50,000 - 2013-14
  • Memphis Music Magnet Implementation - ArtPlace - $678,000 - 2012-2013
  • Memphis Music Magnet: Soulsville -- Implementation Planning Grant - Hyde Family Foundations - $50,000 - 2010-2011
  • Memphis Music Magnet: Soulsville -- Strengthening Communities Initiative Grant - Community Foundation of Greater Memphis / United Way - $18,000 - 2010-2011
  • Memphis Music Magnet -- Neighborhood Planning Grant - Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development - $15,000 - 2010-2011
  • Mississippi River Corridor Environmental Systems Enhancement Plan - Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee, Inc. / McKnight Foundation - $120,000 - 2008-2009
  • Impact of a Special School District Created in Shelby County (report) - Memphis City Schools / Shelby County Schools - $36,790 - 2007-2008
  • Memphis Botanic Garden Tree Inventory Pilot Project - Memphis Botanic Garden / Tennessee Division of Forestry - $2,000 - 2007-2008
  • Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative - City of Memphis, Office of Youth Services & Community Affairs - $28,755 - 2007
  • Smart City Innovation Hub Phase I: Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index. - Research Investment Fund - $100,000 - 2017-18
  • The Planning Innovations Technology Lab: A Curricular Enhancement - TAF Innovation Grant, Innovations to Excellence in Learning - $48,414 - 2006-2007

Outreach

  • BLDG Memphis, Board of Directors -   - 2013 - current -  
  • Memphis 3.0, Co-Chair Transit Working Group -   - 2016-17 -  
  • Mid-South Regional Greenprint, Housing and Neighborhood Land Use Working Group -   - 2013-14 -  
  • Brookings Metropolitan Business Plan for Memphis and Shelby County, Spatial Efficiency Working Group -   - 2013-14 -  
  • Greening Greater Memphis, Board of Directors -   - 2009 - 2012 - Hyde Family Foundations, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
  • Sustainable Shelby, Public Incentives Committee Co-Chair -   - 2008 - Shelby County
  • Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative -   - 2007 - City of Memphis, Office of Youth Services and Community Affairs
  • Livable Memphis (Coalition for Livable Communities), Steering Committee -   - 2006-2012 - Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
  • University District Initiative Committee -   - 2006 - 2008 - University of Memphis
Service
  • University of Memphis - Co-Chair, Engaged Scholarship Faculty Network - 2015 - current
  • University of Memphis - Co-Chair, Smart Cities Research Cluster - 2016 - current
  • University of Memphis - Institutional Effectiveness Council - 2016 - current
  • University of Memphis - Policy Research Fellow, Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change - 2016-17
  • University of Memphis - Chair, Urban Affairs and Public Policy Doctoral Program Development Committee - 2015- current
  • University of Memphis - Tenure and Promotion Committee, Department of Social Work - 2011-2012
  • University of Memphis - Tenure and Promotion Committee, Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration - 2011-12
  • University of Memphis - Graduate Program Coordinator, City & Regional Planning - 2011 - 2012
  • University of Memphis - College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate Council - 2011 - 2017
  • University of Memphis - 2011 Planners Network International Conference Host Committee - 2011
  • University of Memphis - Coordinator, Planning Innovations Technology Lab - 2006 - current
  • University of Memphis - Task Force on the Future of the College of Arts & Sciences - 2009
  • University of Memphis - Engaged Scholarship Task Force - 2008 - current
  • University of Memphis - Engaged Scholarship Book Group - 2008-
  • University of Memphis - Faculty Advisor, Graduate Student Planning Association - 2007 - current
  • University of Memphis - City & Regional Planning Director Search Committee - 2007
  • University of Memphis - Urban Affairs and Public Policy Doctoral Program Planning Committee - 2005 - 2006
  • Portland State University - University Planning Committee - 2004
  • Portland State University - Urban Studies PhD Executive Committee - 2003-2004
  • Portland State University - Urban Studies PhD Admissions Committee - 2003
  • Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement - Editorial Board - 2016 - current
  • Associate of Collegiate Schools of Planning - Governing Board - 2018 - current
  • Planning Accreditation Board - Site Visitor - 2012 - current
  • Journal of Planning Literature - Reviewer - 2012 -
  • Journal of Planning Education and Research - Reviewer - 2009 -
  • Journal of Urban Affairs - Reviewer - 2007 -
  • Urban Studies - Reviewer - 2007 -
  • Urban Geography - Reviewer - 2008 -
  • International City/County Management Association - Vacant Properties Advisory Board - 2001
  • Neighborhood Housing Services of Richmond - Neighborhood Revitalization/Real Estate Investment Committee - 1999-2001
Consulting
  • Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee, Inc. - 2008-2009
  • Memphis Botanic Garden - 2007-2008
  • Memphis City Schools & Shelby County Schools - 2007-2008
  • Department of Homeland Security (Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program reviewer) - 2006, 2007, 2008
  • Housing Authority of Portland - 2004
  • City of Milwaukie, Oregon and Clackamas County Oregon - 2001-2002
Books Published
  • Santo, C. (2018). Urban-Suburban Disparity and Geographic Stratification: A context for fiscal conflict. In J. Amis & P. Wright (Eds.) Race, Economics & the Politics of Educational Change: The Dynamics of School District Consolidation in Shelby County, Tennessee. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press.
  • Santo, C. (2016). Soulsville USA: Orchestrating Community Change through Music and Heritage. In L. Hersey & B. Bobick (Eds.) Handbook of Research on the Facilitation of Civic Engagement through Community Art (pp. 455-475). IGI Global.
  • Santo C. & Mildner, G. (editors). (2010). Sport and public policy: Social, political, and economic perspectives. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

  • Santo, C. (2010). The economic impact of sports stadiums, teams and events. In C. Santo & G. Mildner (Eds.) Sport and public policy: Social, political, and economic perspectives (pp. 49-64). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Santo, C. (2010). Cities, stadiums and subsidies: Why cities spend so much on sports. In C. Santo & G. Mildner (Eds.) Sport and public policy: Social, political, and economic perspectives (pp. 65-96). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Santo, C. (2010). American baseball and the global labor market. In C. Santo & G. Mildner (Eds.) Sport and public policy: Social, political, and economic perspectives (pp. 201-214). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Books Reviewed
  • Santo, C. (2004). Mega-Projects: The changing politics of urban public investment, by Alan Altshuler and David Luberoff; and Megaprojects and risk: An anatomy of ambition, by Bent Flyvbjerg, Nils Bruzelius, and Werner Rothengatter. Journal of Urban Affairs, 26 (2), 259-262.

Journal Articles
  • Talebian, A., Mishra, S., Golias, M., Khan, J., Santo, C., Wang, L, Jacobs, E., and Astorne-Figari, C. (2019). A holistic index for readiness to accommodate connected autonomous vehicles. Compendium of Papers in 98th Annual Board Meeting of Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington D.C.
  • Santo, C. (2016). Transportation, Urban Form, and Social Justice in Memphis. Race, Class, and Social Justice in Memphis: A Call to Bridge the Great Divide. The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. (October), 6-12.
  • Santo, C. (2016). Inside Mass Transit: The Technology Highway. Inside Memphis Business, volume X, (3), 22.
  • Santo, C. (2015). Transportation, Urban Form, and Financial Resiliency in Memphis. In Multi- disciplinary Commentaries on a Blueprint for Prosperity. Prepared for City of Memphis.
  • Tomlinson Schmidt, S., Harris, L., Menifield, C., Redding, T. & Santo, C. (2011). Economic and Community Impact: A Look at the Importance of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Operations in the Memphis Area. Institute for Philanthropy and NonProfit Leadership, University of Memphis.
  • Redding, T., Santo, C., Pearson, E., & Ferguson, N. (2009). Mississippi River Corridor environmental systems enhancement plan. Regional Economic Development Center, University of Memphis. Prepared for Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee, Inc.
  • Redding, T., Santo, C., Pearson, E., & Ferguson, N. (2009). Mississippi River Corridor environmental systems enhancement plan. Regional Economic Development Center, University of Memphis. Prepared for Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee, Inc.
  • Redding, T., Santo, C., & Menifield, C. (2008). Impact of a special school district on Memphis and Shelby County. Regional Economic Development Center, University of Memphis. Prepared for Memphis City Schools and Shelby County School.
  • Combe, E., Mildner, G., & Santo, C. (2002). Clackamas County – City of Milwaukie urban services study: Financial analysis. Executive Leadership Institute & Center for Urban Studies, Portland State University. Prepared for Clackamas County and the City of Milwaukie.
  • Saija, L, Santo, C. & Raciti, A. (forthcoming.) The deep roots of austere planning in Memphis, TN: Is the fox guarding the hen house? International Planning Studies.
  • Santo, C. (2013). The Memphis Music Magnet: Arts-based revitalization with a Memphis twist. In Creative Economy Report 2013. United Nations Development Programme and UNESCO.
  • Santo, C., Ferguson, N. & Trippel, A. (2010). Engaging urban youth through technology: The Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 30 (1), 52-65.
  • Santo, C. (2007). Beyond the economic catalyst debate: Can consumption benefits justify a municipal stadium investment? Journal of Urban Affairs, 29 (5), 455-479.  
  • Santo, C. (2007). Deciphering the public interest: Contingent valuation as a participatory planning tool. Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society, 38 (4), 46-59.
  • Santo, C. (2005). The economic impact of sports stadiums: Recasting the analysis in context. Journal of Urban Affairs, 27 (2), 177-191. 
  • Santo, C. (2004). Measuring the consumption benefits of professional sports facilities. Critical Planning, 11, 64-81.
  • Santo, C. (2002). Understanding the impacts of stadium strategies: A new framework for discussion and analysis. News & Views, Economic Development Division of the American Planning Association (Summer), 9-11. 
  • Santo, C. (1999). Evaluating stadium subsidy proposals. Public Investment [American Planning Association - Planning Advisory Service Memo] (December).
Presentations
  • * Memphis 3.0 and the Fox Building the Hen House. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 58th Annual Conference. Buffalo, NY, October 27, 2018.
  • * Memphis in the face of austerity: Is the public interest still a planning concern? Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 57th Annual Conference. Denver, CO, October 14, 2017.
  • * Soulsville USA: Orchestrating community change through music and heritage. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 54th Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA, November 1, 2014.
  • * Getting creative: Arts-inspired economic growth. Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities 2013 Annual Conference. Memphis, TN, March 19, 2013.
  • * Getting creative: Arts-inspired economic growth. Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities 2013 Annual Conference. Memphis, TN, March 19, 2013.
  • * The Memphis City Schools charter surrender: A backdoor approach to promoting regional equity? Urban Affairs Association 43rd Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA, April 20, 2012.
  • * The roundabout road to regional equity: The Memphis City Schools charter surrender. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 53rd Annual Conference. Cincinnati, OH, November 3, 2012.
  • * The arts and the community. 40th Annual Conference on Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts. Baton Rouge, LA, October 17, 2012.
  • * The Memphis City Schools charter surrender: A backdoor approach to promoting regional equity? Urban Affairs Association 42nd Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, April 20, 2012.
  • * Memphis Music Magnet (culture led planning). 2011 Planners Network International Conference. Memphis, TN, May 20, 2011.
  • * Getting in the Game. Creating a role for planners in sports facility development decisions. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 51st Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, October 9, 2010.
  • * Music at the nexus of creativity, diversity, and place-making in Memphis. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 50th Anniversary Annual Conference. Crystal City, VA, October 2, 2009.
  • * South Memphis renaissance: Perspectives on change. Community Development Society 41st Annual International Conference. Memphis, TN, July 28, 2009.
  • * Teaching the Memphis Music Magnet. Urban Affairs Association 39th Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, March 5, 2009.
  • * Engaging youth through technology: The Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative. Urban Affairs Association 38th Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD, April 25, 2008.
  • * Plugging in to youth: Capturing perspectives and fostering civic engagement through technology. Society for Applied Anthropology 68th Annual Meeting. Memphis, TN, March 28, 2008.
  • * Narrowing the playing field: The economic impact of sports stadiums at the city level. Urban Affairs Association 37th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA, April 27, 2007.
  • * Can consumption benefits justify a municipal stadium investment? Urban Affairs Association 36th Annual Meeting. Montreal, Quebec, April 22, 2006.
  • * Beyond the economic catalyst debate: Can consumption benefits justify a municipal stadium investment? Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 46th Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO, October 27, 2005.
  • * Using public consumption benefits to evaluate municipal stadium investments. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 45th Annual Conference. Portland, OR, October 22, 2004.
  • * The economic impact of sports stadiums: Updating the analysis. Western Economic Association International 79th Annual Conference. Vancouver, B.C., June 30, 2004.
  • * The economic impact of sports teams and facilities: Recasting the analysis in context. Urban Affairs Association 34th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C., April 3, 2004.
  • Creative conversations: Ideas that work. Hosted by MPact Memphis and Memphis College of Art. Memphis, TN, October 29, 2009.
  • URBANEXUS Memphis: New faces of civic engagement. Hosted by Next American City. Memphis, TN, March 19, 2009.
  • Participatory planning and collaborative action scholarship. Mid-South Planning & Zoning Institute, The University of Memphis. Memphis, TN, October 24, 2008.
  • Mississippi River Corridor – A regional sustainability priority. Sustainable Tennessee Regional Opportunity Forum ,Sponsored by ULI Memphis, the Sierra Club, and the University of Memphis Ecological Research Center. Memphis, TN, June, 20, 2008.
  • ReGenerations: The Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative. Creating Livable Communities: The 2nd Annual Summit for Neighborhood Leaders, Sponsored by the Coalition for Livable Communities. Memphis, TN, June 28, 2008.
  • The Planning Innovations Technology Lab: Applications to urban conservation education. Institutionalizing Ecological Literacy – Needs for Urban Conservation Education, Colloquium sponsored by the University of Memphis Ecological Research Center. Memphis, TN, June 14, 2007.
  • New football stadium to replace Liberty Bowl: Pros and cons (panel discussion), Issues in College Sports Discussion Series, hosted by the University of Memphis Sports and Leisure Commerce Program. Memphis, TN, March 19, 2007.
  • Measuring the consumption benefits of professional sports facilities. Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference. Tacoma, WA, May 20, 2004.
  • Assessing stadium subsidy proposals. 2000 Virginia Planning Conference. Norfolk, VA, March 28, 2000.