Laura Brown

Laura Brown has served as the Executive Director of the City of New Haven, Connecticut City Plan Department since 2022.  She holds professional certifications with the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) with the International Economic Development Council.  Most recently the Department has focused on zoning reforms to address the ongoing housing crisis, including an update to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Units Ordinance, adoption of a new Mixed Use (MU) one, and implementation of the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. 

Laura holds a B.A. in Communications & Psychology and an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a focus on community development and food systems planning.  Laura’s early career in civil service work going door to door with organizers for the Main South Community Development Corporation in Worcester Massachusetts 25 years ago shaped her commitment to resident informed planning and asset based development. 

In her prior work with the University of Connecticut and University of Wisconsin, she worked closely with municipal and state leaders and organizations to build community capacity in land use planning, economic development, and placemaking including co-developing the Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development Program and the Connecticut Trail Census, both continuing programs. 

In her free time Laura teaches bike skills as a certified League Cycling Instructor with the New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation and enjoys exploring the outdoors on trails and bike paths, gardening, reading, cooking, meditation and exploring the world with her partner Filippo and eight year old son Giulio. She lives in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven.