Faculty and Staff Profiles

Charlie Santo is an associate professor and Chair of the Department of City & Regional Planning, where he has been teaching since 2005. Charlie earned a BA in Politics from Washington and Lee University, a Master's of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies from Portland State University. He is the recipient of the University of Memphis College of Arts & Science Distinguished Research Award for Engaged Scholarship. Charlie teaches courses that focus on urban economic analysis, public finance and planning, and planning research methods. He is the co-editor of Sport and Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Political Perspectives and the author of multiple articles on public investment and urban revitalization that have appeared in the Journal of Urban Affairs, the Journal of Planning Education and Research, and Community Development. Before entering academia, Charlie worked as a principal planner for housing and neighborhood preservation with the City of Richmond, Virginia, where he coordinated the implementation of the city's innovative Neighborhoods in Bloom program, which has been recognized with the HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award. His recent work on art-based community development in the Soulsville USA neighborhood has been internationally recognized and has generated substantial local investment by ArtPlace and the Kresge Foundation.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Research Coordination Network: Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems - National Science Foundation - $52,580 - 2022-2027
• Digital Inclusion in South City, Phase II - Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis - $250,757 - 2022
• Digital Inclusion in South City - City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Develpoment - $575,537 - 2021
• 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

• BLDG Memphis, Board of Directors -   - 2013 - 2019 -  
• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• Santo, C. A., & Nickle, J. I. (2025). The City in Song: Using Popular Music in Urban Studies Pedagogy. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 45 (4). https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X241269023

• Santo, C. (2024), The City in Song: Popular Music, Ethnographic Insights, and Urban Studies Pedagogy. Transformative Dialogues: Teaching and Learning Journal, 17 (2). https://doi.org/10.26209/td2024vol17iss21811

• Saija, L, Santo, C. & Raciti, A. (2020) The deep roots of austere planning in Memphis, TN: Is the fox guarding the hen house? International Planning Studies. 25 (1). 38-51.
• 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).

• Whose Image? Unravelling the Branding of Memphis, Tennessee. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 65^th Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN, October, 2025.
• The City in Song: Popular Music, Ethnographic Insights, and Urban Studies Pedagogy. Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference. Nashville, TN, April 28, 2023.

• A Change is Gonna Come: Case Studies on Auto Manufactuting and Community Character. The West Tennessee Mega-Site / Blue Oval City Next Steps. Hosted by Memphis Area Association of Governments. Memphis, TN, March 24, 2022.

• * 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 50^th Anniversary Annual Conference. Crystal City, VA, October 2, 2009.
• * South Memphis renaissance: Perspectives on change. Community Development Society 41^st Annual International Conference. Memphis, TN, July 28, 2009.
• * Teaching the Memphis Music Magnet. Urban Affairs Association 39^th Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, March 5, 2009.
• * Engaging youth through technology: The Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative. Urban Affairs Association 38^th Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD, April 25, 2008.
• * Plugging in to youth: Capturing perspectives and fostering civic engagement through technology. Society for Applied Anthropology 68^th Annual Meeting. Memphis, TN, March 28, 2008.
• * Narrowing the playing field: The economic impact of sports stadiums at the city level. Urban Affairs Association 37^th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA, April 27, 2007.
• * Can consumption benefits justify a municipal stadium investment? Urban Affairs Association 36^th 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 46^th Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO, October 27, 2005.
• * Using public consumption benefits to evaluate municipal stadium investments. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 45^th Annual Conference. Portland, OR, October 22, 2004.
• * The economic impact of sports stadiums: Updating the analysis. Western Economic Association International 79^th Annual Conference. Vancouver, B.C., June 30, 2004.
• * The economic impact of sports teams and facilities: Recasting the analysis in context. Urban Affairs Association 34^th 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 2^nd 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.