James Dougherty, AICP, CNU-Accredited, ASAI

Principal, Director of Design

James has dedicated his career to helping communities envision and implement a more walkable, sustainable future. He began working with Dover, Kohl & Partners in 1996 and has participated in urban design and form-based coding projects throughout the United States and abroad. James works closely with the firm’s other Principals, Project Directors, and Urban Designers to establish the design direction of each of the office’s projects. He participates in all aspects of the office’s work, including public involvement, development of master plans, regulating plans, and form-based codes. James also specializes in the creation of many of the company’s three-dimensional illustrations, using a blend of hand-drawn and computer techniques. 

James is co-author of The Art of the New Urbanism, Volume 1: (1980 - 2010). Wiley, 2025. Co-written with Charles C. Bohl (Foreword by Victor Dover), the book explores how the New Urbanism has dramatically transformed the way illustrations are used to advance the dialogue of community planning and place making. It is the first-ever, comprehensive collection of New Urbanist artwork.

James’ graphics and visualizations illustrating sustainable urban design and form-based code principles have been published in numerous books, including Retrofitting Suburbia by Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson, Form Based Codes by Daniel, Karen Parolek and Paul Crawford, The Charrette Handbook by the National Charrette Institute, and Street Design by Victor Dover and John Massengale.

James founded the Congress for the New Urbanism’s urban design and illustration training series, the CNU Art Room. James co-curated the 2012 Congress for the New Urbanism exhibit The Art of the New Urbanism, featuring over 200 visualization artworks by leading practitioners of the New Urbanist movement. 

As an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture, James has taught architectural design studio and freehand drawing courses.

James was honored to receive the Congress for the New Urbanism Florida’s “Charles A. Barrett Memorial Award for Continuing Excellence in Architecture and Urban Design.” 

The American Society of Architectural Illustrators has presented James with “Awards of Excellence” in their prestigious Architecture in Perspective (AIP) 24, 25, and 38 international competitions, and Top Award for Informal Category Illustration in their AIP 29 competition. 

James received his Bachelor of Architecture from Hampton University in 1995 and his Master of Architecture in Suburb and Town Design from the University of Miami in 1997. 

James holds AICP certification from the American Planning Association and is a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators.

Email: jdougherty@doverkohl.com

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