Mark Tirpak (PhD, MSCRP) approaches teaching, projects, research and consultancy in urban planning and related fields with a focus on sustainable and frugal innovation and adaptation. He has advanced experience developing and facilitating innovative classes and seminars as well as affordable travel-based experiential learning programs that explore emerging aspects of urban sustainability. Mark’s interests include urban futures and strategic foresight practices, material reuse and the secondhand economy, low-barrier business (including mobile vending and cottage industries), shifts in employment and the domestic sphere, swimmable cities, unconventional housing approaches and defining prosperity in the 21st century.
Mark currently teaches about urban futures and foresight as an adjunct / affiliate faculty member of Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs. Additionally, he volunteers as an instructor with Virginia Tech’s Lifelong Learning Institute and as a guest instructor (sponsored by Prof. Tom Sanchez) with Texas A&M’s College of Architecture. Mark is also a member of American Planning Association’s Trend Scouting Foresight Community.
Mark is available to serve as a guest instructor, presenter, facilitator, listener and expert. Additionally, he offers advice, leadership, and support for experiential learning projects and programs focused on urban sustainability, including study tours in the US, Europe and beyond.
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Mark Tirpak 