About J Michael Cobb
International urban planner-designer-researcher; eco-cities; rapid urbanization; smart cities; design-planning methods
Other Consultant J Michael Cobb, PhD, PP, FAICP
Int'l Planning/Urban Development:
Rapid Urbanization, EcoCity Design, Transport & Infrastructure PPP, Climate Adaptation
IDC International Development Consultants, LLC / Urbanism3.org
Princeton University
Portland, Maine Area
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Dr. J. Michael Cobb has thirty+ years of international experience in planning, design, and management implementation of urban and regional development projects in the U.S. and overseas. His project work can be found in California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Jordan, Venezuela, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Uganda, South Africa and other countries
The range of Dr. Cobb’s experience includes large-scale urban redevelopment and expansion projects, coastal zone ecological developments and integrated planning and design for urban, transportation and infrastructure projects. Project and program types include: master planning for national reconstruction; capital city expansions and international airports. His senior responsibilties have also include master plans and implementation programs for national railways, new cities and communities, ports and waterfronts, resort tourism developments, housing and urban redevelopments, environmental infrastructure; and economic and industrial development.
A specific listing of his major projects and programs include the following:
He directed the master planning, urban design & implementation of Jubail New Industrial City, the award winning mega project in Saudi Arabia. Supplementing his technical skills: public coordination & presentations, business development, management, & coordination at highest levels of government & industry. Author of numerous technical reports & publications & guest speaker at conferences & universities in the U.S. & abroad.
He founded IDC International Development Consultants, LLC & previously was an executive with several major companies: Bechtel (Chief of Urban & Infrastructure Planning, global operations); Planning Research Corporation (Vice Pres.); & EDAW (Director Urban Planning & Design). His career responsible involved planning, urban design, A-E design, financing & development implementation of projects & programs with constructed values of 30+ billion USD.
Specialties: International Urban Design & Planning
Project Development & Implementation
Public/Private Partnerships
Green Infra. & Ecological City Design
Urban Redevelopment & Multi-modal Transport
National-Regional Spatial & Economic Development
Comm. & Indus. Real Estate Development
Featured articles and news
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.