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Rebecca Retzlaff

Rebecca Retzlaff

Professor

Director of the Academic Sustainability Program

Political Science

Rebecca Retzlaff

Contact Me

rcr0001@auburn.edu

7094 Haley Center

Office Hours

By Appointment

In the news

Poster presentation of action plans for the Richmond Heights community
Community Planning capstone puts education to work in Butler
Academic Sustainability Director Rebecca Retzlaff
Rebecca Retzlaff named CLA Director of Academic Sustainability

Education

PhD in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago.

MS in Historic Preservation, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

BS in Urban and Regional Planning, Michigan State University.

 

Professional Experience

American Planning Association, Research Department, 1997-1999 and 2002-2006

University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, 2002-2006

University of Illinois at Chicago, Great Cities Institute, 2001-2002

City of Detroit Planning and Development Department, 1999-2001

About Me

Rebecca Retzlaff, PhD, AICP, is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Auburn University. She is a core faculty member in the Master of Public Administration Program and the Community Planning Program and the Director of the Academic Sustainability Program. She teaches classes on land use law, resiliency, urban history, and environmental policy.

Retzlaff’s research interests are at the intersection of urban policy and urban history. She examines urban history to improve communities and the environment, focusing on local development regulation, social equity, and environmental policy. Her scholarship explores how historical perspectives can inform contemporary urban challenges, particularly in the realms of sustainable development and social equity. By integrating archival research with policy analysis, she investigates the evolution of development regulations, the impact of policy decisions on marginalized communities, and the role of environmental policy in shaping cities over time. Her work emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding current urban dynamics, advocating for policy frameworks that are both responsive to past injustices and proactive in fostering inclusive and resilient cities. Her research bridges the gaps between historians and policymakers.

Retzlaff’s work has been published in urban history and policy journals, including Journal of Urban History, Journal of Planning History, Journal of Planning Education and Research, and Journal of the American Planning Association. She is the author of Planning White Supremacy: Civil Rights and City Planning in Montgomery, Alabama, 1920-1970, published by the University of Alabama Press in 2026. She is also the co-author of Ohio Planning and Zoning Law, published by Thomson Reuters, and the co-editor of Justice and the Interstates, published by Island Press.

Research Interests

Urban policy, urban history, policy history, environmental policy, local development regulation, resiliency, sustainability

Publications

Books

  • Rebecca Retzlaff, Planning White Supremacy: Civil Rights and City Planning in Montgomery, Alabama, 1920-1970 (Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press, 2026)
  • Ryan Reft, Amanda Phillips DeLucas, and Rebecca Retzlaff, eds. Justice and the Interstates: The Racist Truth about Urban Highways (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2023).
  • Stuart Meck, Kenneth Pearlman, Alan Weinstein, John Bredin, and Rebecca Retzlaff, Ohio Planning and Zoning Law (New York: Thompson Reuters, new edition published annually)     
  • Stuart Meck, Rebecca Retzlaff, and Jim Schwab, State of Tribal Transportation Programs (Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, 2006)
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff, and Jim Schwab. Regional Approaches to Affordable Housing (Chicago: American Planning Association, 2003).

Book Chapters

  • Ryan Reft, Amanda Phillips de Lucas, and Rebecca Retzlaff, “How Can a Highway be Racist?” in Ryan Reft, Amanda Phillips de Lucas, and Rebecca Retzlaff, eds., Justice and the Interstates: The Racist Truth about Urban Highways (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2023), 1-15
  • Rebecca Retzlaff and Jocelyn Zanzot, “The Interstates, Racism, and the Need for Peace and Reconciliation: The Case of Highway Routing in Alabama” in Ryan Reft, Amanda Phillips de Lucas, and Rebecca Retzlaff, eds., Justice and the Interstates: The Racist Truth about Urban Highways (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2023), 35-52.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff (2008) “Commentary: The Zoning Hearing Examiner: Origins, Evolution, and Status in Statutes and Case Law.” In Popper, Andrew, Patricia Salkin, and David Avitabile, A Companion to Bordering on Madness: An American Land Use Tale, 2nd ed. (Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press), 204-206.

Journal Articles

  • Binita Mahato, Rebecca Retzlaff, and Xi Chen, “Planning, Civil Rights, and African American Voting: The Case of Montgomery, Alabama” Journal of Planning Education and Research 44, no. 4 (2024), 2004-2023.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Desegregation of City Parks and the Civil Rights Movement: The Case of Oak Park in Montgomery, Alabama” Journal of Urban History 47, No. 4 (2021), 715-752.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff, “The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Racial Basis for Interstate Highways and Urban Renewal” Journal of Urban History 47, No. 6 (2021): 1031-13476.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff, “Catholics versus the Interstates: The Fight to Protect Catholic Schools from Interstate Highways in Birmingham, Alabama” Journal of Transport History 41, no. 3 (2020): 402-433.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff, “Connecting School Segregation to Urban Renewal and Interstate Highway Planning: The Case of Birmingham, Alabama” Journal of Planning History 19, no. 4 (2020) 256-280.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff (2019) “Interstate Highways and the Civil Rights Movement: The Case of I-85 and the Oak Park Neighborhood in Montgomery, Alabama” Journal of Urban Affairs 41, no. 7 (2019): 930-959.
  • Retzlaff, Rebecca and Charlene LeBleu (2018) “Marine Spatial Planning: Exploring the Role of Planning Practice and Research” Journal of Planning Literature 33(4): 466-491.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “Planning for Urban Design in the 1960s: The Case of the San Francisco Urban Design Plan” Journal of Urban Design 23, No. 1 (2017): 94-122.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff and Sarah Sisser “The Real Story behind Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council” Planning Perspectives 29, No. 3 (2014): 275-300.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “Jimmy Carter’s Urban Policy: An Analysis and An Appraisal” Journal of Planning History 11, No. 3 (2012): 242-280.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Developing Policies for Green Buildings: What can the United States Learn from the Netherlands?” Sustainability: Science, Practice, Policy 6, No. 1 (2010): 28-38.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “The Illinois Forest Preserve District Act of 1913 and the Emergence of Metropolitan Park System Planning in the USA” Planning Perspectives 25, No. 4 (2010): 433-455.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Green Buildings and Building Assessment Systems: A New Area of Interest for Planners” Journal of Planning Literature 24, no. 1 (2009): 3-21.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “The use of LEED in Planning and Development Regulation: An Exploratory Analysis” Journal of Planning Education and Research 29, no. 1 (2009): 67-77.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Green Building Assessment Systems: A Framework and Comparison for Planners” Journal of the American Planning Association 74, no. 4 (2008): 505-519.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “The Emergence of Growth Management in the U.S.: the Case of Golden v. Planning Board of Town of Ramapo, and its Aftermath” Journal of Planning History 7, no. 2 (2008): 113-157.
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Planning for Broad-Based Environmental Protection: A Look Back at the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan” Urban Ecosystems 11, no. 1 (2008): 45-63.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “A Familiar Ring: A Retrospective on the First National Conference on City Planning (1909)” Planning and Environmental Law 61, no. 4 (2008): 3-10.
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “The Zoning Hearing Examiner: Its Origins, and its Status in Case Law” Planning and Environmental Law 59, no. 7 (2007): 3-10.

Professional Publications

  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Green Buildings: Selecting the Right Building Assessment System for Your Jurisdiction” IQ Report, International City Management Association, 41, no. 3 (2009).
  • John Gaber, Rebecca Retzlaff, and Erin Swindall “Alabama Coastal Smart Growth Outreach Project: Final Report” report prepared with support from the Mississippi State University Coastal Research Extension Center (2008).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff, Falguni Patel, and Rajesh Sawant “Place-Based Green Building: Integrating Local Environmental Planning into Green Building Guidelines” report prepared with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff and Erin Swindall“Macon County, Alabama, Historic Preservation Planning Analysis” report prepared with support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (207). 
  • Rebecca Retzlaff and Brandon Bias “Franklin County Ecotourism Development Strategy” report prepared with support from the Appalachian regional Commission (2007).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Green Buildings Present New Opportunities for Planning Commissioners” The Commissioner (Fall 2007).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Habitat Loss: Global Crisis with a Local Solution” Zoning Practice (January 2007).
  • Stuart Meck and Rebecca Retzlaff “Planning 1-2-3” report prepared for the Chicago Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Metropolitan Planning Council (2006).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Changes come to Planning Accreditation Criteria” Practicing Planner (December 2006).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Green Buildings: Onus or Bonus?” Zoning Practice (April 2005).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Preserving the Last Green Valley” Planning Magazine (March 2005).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “California Enacts Form-Based Zoning Legislation” Zoning Practice (January 2005).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Massachusetts Town Approves Record Impact Fee From Lowes” Zoning Practice (November 2004).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “New Jersey Passes Transfer of Development Rights Legislation” Zoning Practice (September 2004).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Inglewood Voters Say No to Wal-Mart” Zoning Practice (August 2004).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Illinois Communities Limit Bank Branches and Nonretail Uses in Retail Districts” Zoning Practice (May 2004).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Agritourism Zoning Down on the Farm” Zoning Practice (March 2004).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Changes to New Jersey Affordable Housing Law” Zoning News (October 2003).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Montgomery County Mulls Housing Overhaul” Zoning News (September 2003).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Busses Replace Private Cars on Zion Park Scenic Drive” Planning Magazine (July 2000).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Compuware Brings More Workers to Central Detroit” Planning Magazine (February 2000).
  • Rebecca Retzlaff “Lake Tahoe Preservation Case” Zoning News (May 1999).
  • American Planning Association “A Smart Growth Agenda for Illinois” report prepared with support from the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Council (contributor) (1999).

Courses Taught

  • POLI 1090: American Government in a Multicultural World
  • POLI 2120: Cities and Urbanization
  • POLI 3680: Environmental Policy
  • POLI 5140/6140: Public Service and Social Change
  • POLI 5160/6160: Resiliency for Public and Nonprofit Institutions: Concepts and Methods 
  • CPLN 7350: Planning History and Theory
  • CPLN 7430: Land Use Law