Management Consulting with
Skin in the Game
Urban Analysis is a management consulting firm for changemaking through policy, planning, and politics. I founded Urban Analysis to support our public and civic leaders in their charge to build smart, sustainable, and inclusive cities and metropolitan regions.
Urban policies are the codes by which we govern, develop, and manage our cities. I specialize in the best practices for these codes—urban policies that center community, generate business, and invigorate pride of place.
My research is motivated by the social, economic, and environmental crises of residentially segregated and digitally divided American cities and metros. If federal and state governments fail us at the local level, then what can we do for ourselves? And if it’s up to us, how can we bring our city and region together to raise up our collective and interconnected quality of life? Beyond federal and state policy, I am fascinated by how regional governance, urban planning, and city management set the social, environmental, and market conditions for community and economic development or decline.
I am pursuing solutions for our urban challenges as a visiting assistant professor of political science at Samford University and as a researcher in the Metropolitan Policy Center at American University in Washington, D.C. I was honored to receive support from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) as a Founders’ Fellow in 2019 and invited to return in 2020.
Socioeconomic and ecological problems require holistic solutions, so I employ the skills of social science, policy analysis, organizational development, urban planning, and community leadership. I have experience working with diverse teams to advance the common good in government administrations (federal, regional, and municipal), nonprofit organizations (with missions for education, environment, and community-economic development), and institutions of public, private, and higher education.
Birmingham is my home. I invest my professional and civic energy into building up this city and into uniting this region by supporting our leaders with expertise and implementation.
The world is looking for models of equitable development. Greater Birmingham should aspire to be that paragon—The Magic City! We have everything we need to become America’s model for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
Where there is great need, there is the opportunity for transformative change. If we work together, we can become a global force for human rights, public health, and environmental resilience. Missions like these can be achieved when community leaders join forces to tailor best practices to the needs, and around the strengths, of our people.
I work to leave a legacy. Let's explore how I can build yours.
Testimonials
“Chris increased the project capacity of my team by coordinating over $3 million in intergovernmental funds and accelerating our push to build a multimodal campus network. A trusted self-starter, Chris also developed university policies and maps that will promote placemaking and public art. I’d recommend him to any team in need of a strategic urbanist and creative problem solver.”
“Chris assisted in the development of our complete streets ordinance. His research on walkable, mixed-use urban planning is insightful and motivating. It’s nice to have him in Birmingham.”
“I direct the UAB MPA Alumni Mentor Program, an initiative envisioned and developed by Chris in partnership with the Alumni Society and the Department of Public Administration. We connect the experiential wealth of UAB’s alumni network with the career needs of our students. This program exemplifies Chris’s ability to both strategize and capitalize. He has been a thoughtful partner to me and a talented asset for UAB; I’d recommend him to any organization.”
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MY PROMISE
Improving our quality of life is my aim and my guide.
I give my clients expertise for decision making and a leg up in implementation.
I will expedite your goals.
my Work
About the Principal
MY NAME IS Christopher Tyler Burks
you can call me Chris (he/him)
I am an urban policy scholar, professor, and planning commissioner. Learn about my research, teaching, and service at ctburks.com.
I am a visiting assistant professor of political science at Samford University and a Charles Levine Doctoral Research Fellow completing a PhD in public administration and policy at American University in Washington, D.C. I also conduct research in the Metropolitan Policy Center with Dr. Derek Hyra. I have a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). While there, I founded Urban Analysis, a consulting firm for changemaking through policy, planning, and politics.
I am grateful to serve on the Birmingham Planning Commission where we implement the comprehensive plan by coordinating public and private development across the city’s transportation network, community facilities, and land uses. I am a member of the commission’s Zoning Advisory Committee.
I love cities and learning from their histories, cultures, and institutions. I have explored the design and land use of 121 metropolises in 22 countries on 5 continents and 5 islands—people and places across the global diversity of social, political, and economic development. Transportation systems have been a focus in my case studies; cities live and die by the capacity, accessibility, and variety of their mobility assets.
I spark engaging communication and research application. Skilled in public speaking and writing for decision makers with policy analysis, data visualization, and strategic planning.
I want to grow Greater Birmingham's public wealth and build up our public institutions so that we can better meet the people's needs and promote the common good.
