Emily Linesch Urban Planning + Design Portfolio by emilylinesch

Emily Linesch

Urban Planning + Design Portfolio

About Me Education

University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati, Ohio

Bachelors of Urban Planning

Expected graduation April 2026

Dean’s List Fall Semester 2021 - Present

Hello! My name is Emily Linesch and welcome to my urban planning & design portfolio! I am a fourth year at the University of Cincinnati, working towards a Bachelor of Urban Planning. I was born and raised in Northern Kentucky with a great interest in my community and all things creative. If I am not in school, you can usually find me reading a book, kayaking, hiking, or doing some sort of craft! I got into Urban Planning because I started taking real estate courses, and I was searching for a degree to supplement that certfication. Once I started my Urban Planning degree, I found that this was my niche and how much I enjoy design and I have been studying planning ever since! I am a curious and knowledgeable designer with a diverse viewpoint and I can’t wait to present thtat skillset to you!

Member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, National Co-op Ambadssador Scholarship

Participating in the Professional Practice Program, alternating semesters of classroom study with work in the field of design

Randall K Cooper High School - Union, Kentucky

Class of 2020

Honor Roll 2016-2020

Chamber Choir, Varsity Track & Field, Varsity Womens Soccer

Soft Skills

Time Management Emotional Intelligence Adaptability

Work Ethic Patience Public Speaking

Accountability Active Listening Innovation

Interests

Oriented Design

University of Cincinnati DAAP - Cincinnati, Ohio

August 2024 - Present

Student Worker

Collaborated with other students and professors on design for a booklet proposing transit intitiatives for a major Cincinnati bus route

Utilized communication skills in a diverse setting to ensure the team met deadlines quickly and efficiently

College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation - Cincinnati, Ohio

May 2024 - Present

Community Development Coordinator

Led and managed a unique business incubator program, offering six months of free rent, while fostering entreprenueriship and supporting the growth of local businesses

Assisted in the planning and implementation of neighborhood revitalization initiatives

Created new and exciting urban design ventures to beautify the business district and produce funding opportunities

Michael Graves Architecture - Washington, DC

August 2023 - December 2023

Architectural Design Co-op

Conceptualized multiple mixed use planning projects at the neighborhood and urban scales

Devised the beginning stages of the Howard University West Campus Master Plan

Collaborated with other designers to create insightful and descriptive plans, graphics, and maps

Created exciting and informative presentations for meetings within and outside the company

Union Township - Cincinnati, Ohio

January 2023 - April 2023

Planning and Zoning Co-op

Performed research and design for an updated community profile with an emphasis on community demographics for future comprehensive plans

Created insightful graphics for a variety of meetings and events

Assisted in the performance of zoning inspections of existing residential, institutional, and commercial properties

Organized administrative duties to break down the zoning application process for residents of the community

Volunteering

March 2023 - Present

Metro Parks of Butler CountyPlanning Volunteer

Certifications

Google Digital Garage

Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Certificate

Design Skills

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGis Online

QGIS

SketchUp

AutoCad

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Contact Experience

Activities

Community Development Advisory Member

- University of Cincinnati, School of Planning

Pages of Color Book Club

- University of Cincinnati, Student Organization

(859)-640-6389

linescec@mail.uc.edu

LinkedIn.com/EmilyLinesch

Address: upon request

Section 1: Master Planning

Kernersville, North Carolina - Multi-Use Development

Displayed below is a hand drawn master plan of a multi-use develiopment proposed in Kernersville, North Carolina. This project includes a farmers market, retail, self-storage, stormwater management, a community center, trails, townhomes, multi-family apartment complexes, single family homes, and even a gas station.

A hand drawn section displaying the farmers market, retail, multifamily residential, and the community center, as well as added green space and room for streets and pedestrian pathways.

Kernersville, North Carolina - Renderings

BIRDS EYE VIEW RENDERING

*images were made in collaboration with a third party based on the hand drawings made by me, renderings belong to Michael Graves Architecture

Vignette was done in coordination with Dale Waldron Jr., Director of Design

RETAIL RENDERING

BIRD’S EYE VIEW RETAIL RENDERING

Resiliency: Creating a Closed Loop Neighborhood in South

Project Overview:

This studio project was based in one of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, Fairmount, located west of Cincinnati’s downtown. North and South Fairmount have seen years of disinvestment, but the tides are changing now that the Lick Run Greenway has been brought into the neighborhood. This studio project aims to capitalize on the amount of effort and investment put forth into the Lick Run, and utilize that energy to create a closed loop neighborhood through renewable energy practices and closed loops of food and waste, all grounded in a culture of collaboration and education to achieve resiliency.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT RESILIENCY?

FOCUS AREA

EXISTING BUILDING FOOTPRINT

existing buildings

PROPOSED BUILDING FOOTPRINT

existing buildings

proposed buildings

FOCUS AREA PLAN

PROPOSED CROSS SECTION

Resiliency: Creating a Closed Loop Neighborhood in South

Now, we zoom into a more detailed view of the masterplan, located along Queen City Avenue. The goal of this project was to create a neighborhood-wide closed loop of food, waste, and energy, but also encourage the same closed loop values integrated into smaller subsets of the community.

Buildings were placed to encourage social interaction, renewable energy is incorporated as public art, and practicalities such as fruit trees, street trees, and parking come to fruition.

Multifamily,Mixed

Use Building

Permeable Surface

Parking Lot

Community Garden

Fruit Trees

Solar Art (Renewable Energy)

Existing Splash Playground

Solar Art Shade Structure

Pattern Alternation Between Street Trees & Sunflowers

Lick Run Greenway

South Fairmount

On your right, you’ll encounter a detailed 3D model of the masterplan, offering a zoomed-in perspective of the neighborhood’s closed-loop system. In this model, you can see how various elements interact on a deeper level. The neighborhood thrives on a cycle of self-sufficiency, where food production (through strategically planted fruit trees), waste management (via composting systems), social interactions (in communal courtyards), and mobility (within a walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment) all work together in harmony. These interconnected systems foster a culture of sustainability, encouraging awareness, collaboration, and shared responsibility among residents. This holistic approach not only enhances the quality of life but also serves as a model for how communities can function as living ecosystems, minimizing waste and maximizing resources.

On the left, you’ll find a striking installation of Sunflowers— solar panels uniquely designed as public art pieces. These vibrant structures became the cornerstone of my masterplan, seamlessly integrating renewable energy solutions with artistic expression. By positioning renewable energy at the heart of public spaces, I aimed to spark engagement and raise awareness about sustainability while simultaneously creating interactive community hubs. This fusion of form and function not only highlights the beauty of clean energy but also serves as a reminder of how art can inspire positive environmental action.

Section 2: Conceptual Rendering

Conceptual Rendering

* Images made in collaboration with Ben Lee and Dale Waldron Jr.

Section 3: Utilizing Bus Rapid Transit for Green Initiatives

Cincinnati Ohio - Utilizing BRT for Green Initiatives

Proposed BRT line connecting Cincinnati neighborhoods Air Quality and Tree Canopy along the BRT

• The BRT route stems from the Central Business District up through multiple of Cincinnati ‘s neighborhoods

• Studying environmental factors along the BRT route allows us to capitalize on the utilization of the BRT to benefit both people and the eonvironment

• Studying factors such as air quality and tree canopy help us pick out where to install green infrastructure along the BRT route

Green Infrastructure ApproachWeaving Technique

Particle Matter 2.5

12.3

• The Weave approach installs green infrastructure along the BRT route and weaving into pockets of each neighborhood

• The Weave approach provices equitable and green infrastructure along with connection of approaches

Priorities for a 2050 Plan

1 Improve Air Quality

• Lower Average Particle Matter 2.5 to 12.5 mg/m

2 Decrease Heat Island Effect

• Reduce heat islands by 35%

3 Provide Green Solutions Tailored to Each Neighborhood’s Needs

• Increase amount of green infrastructure along the route by 50%

4 Set the Example for the Rest of Cincinnati

• Increase community engagement efforts and provide resources that get people excited about green initiatives

Cincinnati Ohio - Utilizing BRT for Green InitiativesZooming into the Neighborhood of Clifton

Location of Clifton Neighborhood Green Initiative Masterplan

Existing Parks

Weave Approach

BRT Route

Proposed Bike Lanes

Existing Bike Lanes

Industrial Transformation District

Green Streets

Eco Villages

Green Infrastructure

Least Intensive

Most Intensive

*Masterplan was done in coordintation with other group members Makenzie Stewart and Sage Morrison

What Does a Green BRT Look Like?

Bus Stop

• The City Tree is a combimation of street furniture and a biofilter

• It uses air purifying moss to clean and cool the air

• Buses would run down the center of the street allowing for improvement of pedestrian and vehicular movement

• Bus stops would include city trees as street furniture, permeable surfaces, and green roofs that allow for shade

Green Infrastructure Along the BRT

Strategies in this model include:

Section 4: Site Planning

Cincinnati Ohio, Riverfront [Re]design

This project explores taking inventory of a site and figuring out the needs of the community. Cincinnati’s riverfront is avid with entertainment options with stadiums, bars, and different types of businesses. Taking inventory of the site, I found that there is a lack of mobility. The streetcar route does not reach down to the riverfront or the stadiums, and there is only one existing bike lane, which shares a path with cars on a very busy road causing the riverfront to feel very disconnected from the rest of the city.

• Expanded streetcar design to be brought down into the site

• New bike paths and bike lanes to activate the Banks themselves and Smale Park

• Connection of the riverfront back into the city with an emphasis on mobility

The Banks Experience Bike Path

Proposed Bike Lanes Proposed Streetcar Route

Scenic Greenspace Bike Path

Section 5:College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio

College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation

Throughout my time working as a community development co-op, I worked on many different urban design initiatives to give the neighborhood of College Hill a more uniform identity. Two programs I initiated are the light pole banner plan and business district bench plaques, which in turn created a fundraising opportunity for the company

Light pole banners help create a cohesive and recognizable visual theme throughout a business district, making the area feel more unified. They showcase consistent branding, colors, or messaging, reinforcing the district’s identity to both locals and visitors. By tying together various streets and businesses, these banners enhance the overall atmosphere and promote a shared community feel.

Light pole banner design

Light pole banner mock up

Corporation - Urban Design

Plaques on benches and planters offer residents a personal way to contribute to the character of the business district, fostering a sense of belonging. By dedicating plaques to loved ones or significant events, locals leave a lasting mark on the community space. This personal connection strengthens ties between residents and the district, making it feel more inclusive and community-centered.

Planter mock up

Real life planter plaque!

College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation

Over the course of my co-op semester at College Hill CURC, I was in charge of the OurShop Program. The OurShop program provides brick and mortar businesses rent free space for 6 months, sales data analysis, financial education, mentorship, marketing, and storefront activation support. I oversaw the entire process from applications, scoring, interviews, and through to the grand opening!

Current Businesses That are Participating in OurShop

David, a fantasy artist, created Everlore, an inclusive tabletop roleplaying game, along with various products that enhance the gaming experience. At ManChild Ltd., he offers a diverse range of art and games, focusing on inclusivity, unique storytelling, and personalized services to ensure each customer feels welcome and valued.

Melissa Wirth, founder of Dahlia –Mexican Handmade Accessories LLC, partners with four talented families from various regions of Mexico to showcase and sell their handcrafted products. Her mission is to share Mexico’s vibrant culture with the United States, offering unique items while empowering artisans to earn a living through their incredible art.

Danielle Perdue, founder of Exklusive Jewels LLC, empowers individuals through personalized healing practices, including life coaching, Reiki therapy, and crystal healing. Her mission is to provide a supportive space for exploring transformative healing, offering curated crystal jewelry, herbal teas, and other items that promote personal growth and well-being

Corporation - Community Development

Being able to execute this round of OurShop meant securing funding from the City of Cincinnati, extensive amounts of coordination between perspective tenants and stakeholders in the process, and holding many conversations about branding, activating the storefront, and community outreach.