Nancy K. Rivenburgh

Nancy Rivenburgh, Ph.D. is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington in Seattle. Her teaching and research focuses on creative problem solving and cities as complex communication environments. At the UW, she weaves these areas together to teach a course called “Communication, Cities, and Sustainability” to inspire students, and citizens, to get more involved in improving their cities. As a social scientist and avid world traveler, Nancy has always been an observer and scholar of international cities and how they communicate their values and identity in ways that engage and connect citizens, visitors, and audiences alike. Her book, Envisioning Better Cities: A Global Tour of Good Ideas (co-authored with Patricia Chase, founder of i-Sustain) is a compilation of positive, and achievable, actions that cities around the world are taking to become more livable and sustainable in the face of population pressures, social dislocation, and economic constraints.

Review for Envisioning Better Cities:

"Come out. Participate. Big events and ordinary days. Meet your fellow citizens face to face. Walk more, bike more, use your public spaces more. It is good for your health, good for the climate, good for the city, good for social inclusion, good for democracy and by the way very enjoyable! - and bring the book “Envisioning Better Cities: A Global Tour of Good Ideas” along. This book tells it all."

Jan Gehl, Architect and Urban Designer

Author, Cities for People

June 2019