As Indianapolis' first Black Deputy Director, architect Lourenzo Giple pushes for economic development while 'preserving the integrity of the neighborhood'

On August 16th, the Indianapolis Star (IndyStar) announced architect Lourenzo Giple as the city's new Deputy Director of Planning, Preservation, and Design. The newly appointed deputy is determined to making changes the city has been missing for years. Giple shared with Brandon Drenon of IndyStar, "Historically, zoning and planning have not been equitable. I want to do my best to shift some of those inequities." Giple grew up in Liberia, where his family eventually fled the country because of a civil war. When his family immigrated from Liberia to Indianapolis, he discusses how his experience and upbringing in the city's lower-economic neighborhoods provided him a perspective for how architecture and urban planning could elevate the city into an equitable place.  Aerial view of Indianapolis. Image © Evan Walsh via FlickrThis new role within the Department of Metropolitan Development will cover long-term projects for city development, strategies for new architectural design, and tran...